Common COPD Medications (2024)

Several medications can help reduce inflammation and open your airways to help you breathe easier with COPD. You should consult your doctor to determine what may work best for you.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases that make it difficult to breathe. COPD can include emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

If you have COPD, you may have symptoms such as:

  • trouble breathing
  • cough
  • wheezing
  • tightness in your chest

Smoking often causes COPD, but in some cases, breathing in toxins from the environment is the cause.

There’s currently no cure for COPD, and the damage to the lungs and airways is permanent.

However, several medications can help reduce inflammation and open your airways to help you breathe easier with COPD.

Bronchodilators help open your airways to make breathing easier. Your doctor may prescribe short-acting bronchodilators for an emergency situation or for quick relief as needed.

You take them using an inhaler or nebulizer.

Examples of short-acting bronchodilators include:

  • albuterol (Proair HFA, Ventolin HFA)
  • levalbuterol (Xopenex)
  • ipratropium (Atrovent HFA)
  • albuterol/ipratropium (Combivent Respimat)

Short-acting bronchodilators can cause side effects such as:

  • dry mouth
  • headache
  • cough

These effects should go away over time.

Other side effects include:

  • tremors (shaking)
  • nervousness
  • a fast heartbeat

If you have a heart condition, tell your doctor before taking a short-acting bronchodilator.

With COPD, your airways can be inflamed, causing them to become swollen and irritated. Inflammation makes it harder to breathe.

Corticosteroids are a type of medication that reduces inflammation in the body, making air flow easier in the lungs.

Several types of corticosteroids are available. Some are inhalable and should be used every day as directed. They’re usually prescribed in combination with a long-acting COPD drug.

Other corticosteroids are injected or taken by mouth. These forms are used on a short-term basis when your COPD suddenly gets worse.

The corticosteroids that doctors most often prescribe for COPD are:

  • Fluticasone (Flovent). This comes as an inhaler you use twice daily. Side effects can include headache, sore throat, voice changes, nausea, cold-like symptoms, and thrush.
  • Budesonide (Pulmicort). This comes as a handheld inhaler or for use in a nebulizer. Side effects can include colds and thrush.
  • Prednisolone. This comes as a pill, liquid, or shot. It’s usually given for emergency rescue treatment. Side effects can include headache, muscle weakness, upset stomach, and weight gain.

For some people with severe COPD, the typical first-line treatments, such as fast-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids, don’t seem to help when used on their own.

When this happens, some doctors prescribe a drug called theophylline along with a bronchodilator.

Theophylline works as an anti-inflammatory drug and relaxes the muscles in the airways. It comes as a pill or liquid you take daily.

Side effects of theophylline can include:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • tremors
  • headache
  • trouble sleeping

Long-acting bronchodilators are medications that are used to treat COPD over a longer period of time. They’re usually taken once or twice daily using inhalers or nebulizers.

Because these drugs work gradually to help ease breathing, they don’t act as quickly as rescue medication. They’re not meant to be used in an emergency situation.

The long-acting bronchodilators currently available are:

  • aclidinium (Tudorza)
  • arformoterol (Brovana)
  • formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist)
  • glycopyrrolate (Seebri Neohaler, Lonhala Magnair)
  • indacaterol (Arcapta)
  • olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat)
  • revefenacin (Yupelri)
  • salmeterol (Serevent)
  • tiotropium (Spiriva)
  • umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta)

Side effects of long-acting bronchodilators can include:

  • dry mouth
  • dizziness
  • tremors
  • runny nose
  • irritated or scratchy throat
  • upset stomach

More serious side effects include:

  • blurry vision
  • rapid or irregular heart rate
  • an allergic reaction with rash or swelling

Several COPD drugs come as combination medications. These are mainly combinations of either two long-acting bronchodilators or an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.

For people with COPD who experience shortness of breath or trouble breathing during exercise, the American Thoracic Society strongly recommends a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) combined with a long- acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA).

Triple therapy, a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and two long-acting bronchodilators, is recommended for those who continue to have shortness of breath or trouble breathing and are currently using LABA and LAMA combination therapy.

Recommended LABA/LAMA combination bronchodilator therapies include:

  • aclidinium/formoterol (Duaklir)
  • glycopyrrolate/formoterol (Bevespi Aerosphere)
  • tiotropium/olodaterol (Stiolto Respimat)
  • umeclidinium/vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta)

Combinations of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator include:

  • budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort)
  • fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair)
  • fluticasone/vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)

Combinations of an inhaled corticosteroid and two long-acting bronchodilators, called triple therapy, include fluticasone/vilanterol/umeclidinium (Trelegy Ellipta).

A 2018 research review found that triple therapy reduced flare-ups and improved lung function in people with advanced COPD.

According to current guidelines, the inhaled corticosteroid may be withdrawn if you have not had a flare-up in the past year.

However, it also indicated that pneumonia was more likely to develop with triple therapy than with a combination of two medications.

Roflumilast (Daliresp) is a type of drug called a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. It comes as a pill you take once per day.

Roflumilast helps relieve inflammation, which can improve air flow to your lungs. Your doctor will likely prescribe this drug along with a long-acting bronchodilator.

Side effects of roflumilast can include:

  • weight loss
  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • nausea
  • cramps
  • tremors
  • insomnia

Let your doctor know if you have liver problems or depression before taking this medication.

COPD flare-ups can cause increased levels of mucus in the lungs. Mucoactive drugs help reduce mucus or thin it so you can more easily cough it up. They typically come in pill form and include:

  • carbocysteine
  • erdosteine
  • N-acetylcysteine

A 2019 study suggested that these medications may help reduce flare-ups and disability from COPD.

A 2017 study also found that erdosteine lowered the number and severity of COPD flare-ups.

Side effects of these medications may include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain

It’s important for people with COPD to get a yearly flu vaccine. Your doctor may recommend that you get the pneumococcal vaccine as well.

These vaccines reduce your risk for getting sick and can help you avoid infections and other complications related to COPD.

A 2018 research review found that the flu vaccine may also reduce COPD flare-ups, but it noted that there were few current studies.

Regular treatment with antibiotics like azithromycin and erythromycin may help manage COPD.

A 2018 research review indicated that consistent antibiotic treatment helped reduce COPD flare-ups.

However, the study noted that repeated antibiotic use can cause antibiotic resistance. It also found that azithromycin was associated with hearing loss as a side effect.

More studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of regular antibiotic use.

Several cancer drugs could possibly help reduce inflammation and limit damage from COPD.

A 2019 study found that the drug tyrphostin AG825 helped lower inflammation levels in zebrafish.

The medication also sped up the rate of death of neutrophils, which are cells that promote inflammation, in mice with inflamed lungs similar to COPD.

Research is still limited on using tyrphostin AG825 and similar drugs for COPD and other inflammatory conditions. Eventually, they may become a treatment option for COPD.

In some people, inflammation from COPD may be a result of eosinophilia, or having a higher-than-normal number of white blood cells called eosinophils.

A 2019 study indicated that biologic drugs may be able to treat this form of COPD. Biologic drugs are created from living cells.

Several of these drugs are used for severe asthma caused by eosinophilia, including:

  • mepolizumab (Nucala)
  • benralizumab (Fasenra)
  • reslizumab (Cinqair)
  • dupilumab (Dupixent)

More research is needed on treating COPD with these biologic drugs.

Different types of medications treat different aspects and symptoms of COPD. Your doctor will prescribe medications that will best treat your particular condition.

Questions you might ask your doctor about your treatment plan include:

  • How often should I use my COPD treatments?
  • Am I taking any other drugs that might interact with my COPD medications?
  • How long will I need to take my COPD medications?
  • What’s the proper way to use my inhaler?
  • What happens if I suddenly stop taking my COPD medications?
  • Besides taking medication, what lifestyle changes should I make to help relieve my COPD symptoms?
  • What should I do if I have a sudden worsening of symptoms?
  • How can I prevent side effects?
Warnings for COPD medications

Whatever medication your doctor prescribes, be sure to take it according to your doctor’s instructions.

If you have serious side effects, such as an allergic reaction with rash or swelling, call your doctor right away. If you have difficulty breathing or swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, call 911 or your local emergency medical services.

Because some COPD medications can affect your cardiovascular system, be sure to tell your doctor if you have an irregular heartbeat or cardiovascular problems.

Read this article in Spanish.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.

Common COPD Medications (2024)

FAQs

What are the most common medications for COPD? ›

For most people with COPD, short-acting bronchodilator inhalers are the first treatment used. Bronchodilators are medicines that make breathing easier by relaxing and widening your airways. There are 2 types of short-acting bronchodilator inhaler: beta-2 agonist inhalers – such as salbutamol and terbutaline.

What are the top 5 inhalers for COPD? ›

The main inhaled steroid medications used for COPD are:
  • Beclometasone. Brands include Clenil Modulite® and Qvar®. These inhalers are usually brown and sometimes red in colour.
  • Budesonide. Brands include Easyhaler Budesonide®, Novolizer Budesonide® and Pulmicort®.
  • Fluticasone. Brand name Flixotide®.
Jul 4, 2024

What pill is used for COPD? ›

But for COPD flare-ups, you may take them as pills. Inhaled steroids include budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler) and fluticasone (Flovent HFA). Side effects include hoarseness, sore throat, and mouth or throat infections.

What is the miracle drug for COPD? ›

The primary endpoint was met in both trials, showing Dupixent significantly reduced annualized moderate or severe acute COPD exacerbations by up to 34%, compared to placebo. Dupixent rapidly and significantly improved lung function compared to placebo, with improvements sustained at 52 weeks.

What is the only drug that improves survival in COPD? ›

The results show that only indacaterol and the combination of the long-acting β2-agonist salmeterol and the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone propionate (SFC) are associated with an important reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality in COPD in fixed effect models.

What is the best maintenance medication for COPD? ›

Medications for COPD, Maintenance
  • Short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA): albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA)
  • Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA): salmeterol (Serevent Diskus), formoterol (Perforomist)
  • Short-acting anticholinergics (SAMA): ipratropium (Atrovent HFA)
Feb 19, 2024

What is the once a day pill for COPD? ›

Symbicort® (budesonide and formoterol), Take once daily using MDI. This is pill for people with severe COPD to help decrease exacerbations or flare-ups. A bacterial can cause worsening of the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

What is the trilogy medication for COPD? ›

Once-daily TRELEGY is a prescription medicine used long term to treat COPD, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both and to treat asthma in adults. TRELEGY 100/62.5/25 mcg is the only strength approved for COPD. TRELEGY is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and won't replace a rescue inhaler.

What is the new medicine for COPD? ›

Ohtuvayre has two primary functions. First, it is a bronchodilator, opening airways in the lungs to make breathing easier. Second, it is anti-inflammatory, reducing COPD exacerbations or flare-ups, a sudden worsening of symptoms.

What is the best drug for shortness of breath? ›

Medications called bronchodilators can be inhaled through a device called an inhaler or a puffer. The medication is delivered right to your lungs. Some medications are long-term and work to prevent shortness of breath. Others are emergency medications, which you inhale when you experience sudden shortness of breath.

What is the generic drug for COPD? ›

Breo Ellipta (fluticasone/vilanterol) is used to treat COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Breo Ellipta is slightly less popular than other beta agonist/corticosteroid combinations. Breo Ellipta is available as a brand and generic drug.

What are the new COPD medications for 2024? ›

Press Release: Dupixent approved in the EU as the first-ever targeted therapy for patients with COPD. Paris and Tarrytown, NY, July 3, 2024.

What is the most prescribed drug for COPD? ›

Some common corticosteroids doctors often prescribe for COPD include: fluticasone (Flovent) budesonide (Pulmicort)

What is the drug of choice for COPD? ›

A medication approved for people with severe COPD and symptoms of chronic bronchitis is roflumilast (Daliresp), a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. This drug decreases airway inflammation and relaxes the airways. Common side effects include diarrhea and weight loss.

What is the new breakthrough for COPD? ›

Jan 25, 2023 A Breakthrough Treatment for COPD

Zephyr Valves received breakthrough device designation and were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 to help patients with severe COPD and emphysema breathe easier without many of the risks associated with major surgery.

What is the new medication for COPD patients? ›

Ohtuvayre was found to improve lung function and quality of life for patients. While the clinical trials did not include many patients who experience frequent flare-ups, the drug was found to reduce flare-ups in its participants by 40%.

What are the triple medications for COPD? ›

The triple therapies available in a single inhaler are: beclomethasone-dipropionate/formoterol/glycopyrronium (BDP/FF/G); fluticasone-furoate/vilanterol/umeclidinium (FLF/VI/UMEC); and budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol (B/G/F).

Which drug should be avoided in patients with COPD? ›

Opioids should generally be avoided in the sedation plan for patients with COPD that compromises respiratory function.

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