Medications as COPD Treatment
Depending on the severity of your
COPD, you doctor may recommend a number of medications as part of your COPD treatment, including:
- Bronchodilators
- Steroids
- Flu shot
- Pneumococcal vaccine.
Bronchodilators
Your doctor may recommend medications called bronchodilators as part of COPD treatment. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles around your airways. They help open your airways quickly and make breathing easier.
Bronchodilators can be either short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting bronchodilators last about 4 to 6 hours and are used only when needed. Long-acting bronchodilators last about 12 hours or more and are used every day.
Most bronchodilator medications are inhaled, so they go directly into your lungs where they are needed. There are many kinds of inhalers, and it is important to know how to use your inhaler correctly.
If you have mild COPD, your doctor may recommend that you use a short-acting bronchodilator as part of your COPD treatment. You will then use the inhaler only when needed.
If you have moderate or severe COPD, your doctor may recommend regular treatment with one or more inhaled bronchodilators. You may be told to use one long-acting bronchodilator. Some people need to use a long-acting bronchodilator and a short-acting bronchodilator. This is called combination therapy.
Inhaled Glucocorticosteroids
COPD treatment for some people with moderate or severe cases involves inhaled steroids, which work to reduce airway inflammation. Your doctor may recommend that you try inhaled steroids for 6 weeks to 3 months to see if the medication is helping with your breathing problems.
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