Common side effects include diarrhea and weight loss. This drug decreases airway inflammation and relaxes the airways. Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitorsĪ medication approved for people with severe COPD and symptoms of chronic bronchitis is roflumilast (Daliresp), a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. However, long-term use of these medications can have serious side effects, such as weight gain, diabetes, osteoporosis, cataracts and an increased risk of infection. Umeclidinium and vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta)įor people who experience periods when their COPD becomes more severe, called moderate or severe acute exacerbation, short courses (for example, five days) of oral corticosteroids may prevent further worsening of COPD. Olodaterol and tiotropium (Stiolto Respimat).Glycopyrrolate and indacaterol (Utibron).Formoterol and glycopyrrolate (Bevespi Aerosphere).Albuterol and ipratropium (Combivent Respimat).Aclidinium and formoterol (Duaklir Pressair).Salmeterol and fluticasone (Advair HFA, AirDuo Digihaler, others)Ĭombination inhalers that include more than one type of bronchodilator also are available.Fluticasone, umeclidinium and vilanterol (Trelegy Ellipta).Fluticasone and vilanterol (Breo Ellipta).Examples of these combination inhalers include: Some medications combine bronchodilators and inhaled steroids. These medications are useful for people with frequent exacerbations of COPD. Side effects may include bruising, oral infections and hoarseness. Inhaled corticosteroid medications can reduce airway inflammation and help prevent exacerbations. Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, others)Įxamples of long-acting bronchodilators include:.Depending on the severity of your disease, you may need a short-acting bronchodilator before activities, a long-acting bronchodilator that you use every day or both.Įxamples of short-acting bronchodilators include: This can help relieve coughing and shortness of breath and make breathing easier. Bronchodilatorsīronchodilators are medications that usually come in inhalers - they relax the muscles around your airways. You may take some medications on a regular basis and others as needed. Several kinds of medications are used to treat the symptoms and complications of COPD. Also, avoid secondhand smoke exposure whenever possible. Your doctor may also recommend a support group for people who want to quit smoking. Talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement products and medications that might help, as well as how to handle relapses. And this task may seem particularly daunting if you've tried to quit and have been unsuccessful. Stopping smoking can keep COPD from getting worse and reducing your ability to breathe. The most essential step in any treatment plan for COPD is to quit all smoking. Even for more advanced stages of disease, effective therapy is available that can control symptoms, slow progression, reduce your risk of complications and exacerbations, and improve your ability to lead an active life. Many people with COPD have mild forms of the disease for which little therapy is needed other than smoking cessation. This test may be done if you have a family history of COPD and develop COPD at a young age. For example, lab tests may be used to determine if you have the genetic disorder alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, which may be the cause of COPD in some people. Lab tests aren't used to diagnose COPD, but they may be used to determine the cause of your symptoms or rule out other conditions. This blood test measures how well your lungs are bringing oxygen into your blood and removing carbon dioxide. CT scans can also be used to screen for lung cancer. A CT scan of your lungs can help detect emphysema and help determine if you might benefit from surgery for COPD. An X-ray can also rule out other lung problems or heart failure. A chest X-ray can show emphysema, one of the main causes of COPD. Other tests include measurement of lung volumes and diffusing capacity, six-minute walk test, and pulse oximetry. During the most common test, called spirometry, you blow into a large tube connected to a small machine to measure how much air your lungs can hold and how fast you can blow the air out of your lungs. These tests measure the amount of air you can inhale and exhale, and whether your lungs deliver enough oxygen to your blood.
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