COPD Medications: What You Should Know

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, better known as COPD, affects the lives of many. This lung disease makes it harder for the sufferer to breathe. In many cases, COPD may be a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Though the damage cannot be reversed, there are a number of steps that can be taken to relieve symptoms and prevent worsening of the disease (WebMD).

One of the most common causes of COPD is smoking. Genes and exposure factors likely both play a role in the cause of this lung disease. Exposure to lung irritants throughout life, as well as frequent lung infections, may play a significant role in the cause of COPD. The damage occurs over many years (WebMD).

The symptoms of COPD, which medications are used to treat, include shortness of breath (dyspnea), chronic cough, wheezing, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), weight loss, and lower extremity edema (pulmonologychannel.com). Chronic mucus production and repeated episodes of acute bronchitis are also symptoms. Rapid and prolonged increases in symptoms are called COPD exacerbations (WebMD).

There are a few different types of medication used to treat COPD. The first type is bronchodilators. These medications work to relieve shortness of breath by opening or relaxing the airways. Bronchodilators can be either short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting bronchodilators treat intermittent symptoms. Long-acting bronchodilators treat persistent symptoms (WebMD).

There are two more subtypes of bronchodilators. The first type is anticholinergics, like ipratropium. The second type is beta2-agonists, like albuterol. These medications can be either short-acting or long-acting, and there are also combinations of anticholinergics and beta2-agonists, such as Combivent (WebMD).

The next type of medication is oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone. A pill form can be used to treat COPD exacerbations, and an inhaled form can be used to prevent COPD exacerbations(WebMD).

Medications that are expectorants are less commonly used and infrequently recommended. However, an expectorant may make it easier to cough up mucus. Use is generally not recommended unless directed by a physician (WebMD).

Another medication that is less commonly used is methylxanthines, which are used occasionally in very serious cases of COPD. Use is generally not recommended unless directed by a physician (WebMD).

Damage to the lungs may not be reversible, but the symptoms of COPD are treatable. The medication types listed above have helped many individuals vastly improve their quality of life after the time of diagnosis.

PulmonologyChannel.com. "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)." 1 June 2000. http://www.pulmonologychannel.com/copd/symptoms.shtml

WebMD. "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease." 2009. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd-overview