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COPD Patient Info

COPD Treatment Options

Common Medications for COPD

While there is no known cure for COPD yet, treatment plans have been devised to slow the progression of the disease and help maintain a more active life by relieving symptoms.

Living Healthy

The most crucial treatment is smoking cessation for those patients that still smoke, as this is the single worst culprit of COPD. There are many smoking cessation programs and medications.

Flare-ups of COPD symptoms are often associated with infections (viral and bacterial), as well as air pollutants. Any worsening of symptoms markedly increases a patient’s risk of death. Thus, vaccinations are an important preventative measure. Patients with COPD should receive the following:

Flu shot
Pneumococcal (pneumonia) shot

Not to be overlooked is the impact lifestyle changes can have. Patients with COPD may want to seek out professionals to help them with the following:

Exercise plan
Nutritional advice
Psychological counseling
COPD management training

These programs help the COPD patient adjust to their condition and enable them to improve the quality of life.

Medical Treatments

Many times, some sort of medical intervention will be needed to treat the COPD patient. Treatment is specific to each individual. Side effects and warnings must be taken into consideration.

Treatment Type

What it Works

How it Works

Bronchodilator

Opens airways by relaxing surrounding musculature.

Used with inhaler.

Comes in both a short acting (4–6 hrs) and long acting (12 hrs) form.

Glucorticosteroid (steroid)

Reduces airway inflammation.

Long term dosage or increased amounts have not shown increased benefit.

Methylprednisolone 40 mg/day X 10 days Decreases length of hospital stay.

Oxygen