COPD is a serious and progressive disease, but it is treatable. COPD medications called "bronchodilators" can be used to relax the muscles around your airways to help you breathe better—and get you back to daily living.

There are several types of bronchodilators:

  • Rescue medicinesor inhaled short-acting beta2-agonists, start working within minutes and last about 4 to 8 hours.
  • Maintenance medicines (such as BROVANA), are inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists that help control your COPD symptoms for up to 12 hours.
  • Inhaled anticholinergics inhibit nerve impulses to help control your COPD symptoms, and last for 6 to 24 hours.
  • Theophylline is an oral bronchodilator that may be used to treat COPD.
  • Corticosteroids, either inhaled or taken orally, may help to reduce swelling and inflammation in your airways.
  • Other treatment options (pulmonary rehabilitation or oxygen therapy) and lifestyle changes (like quitting smoking) can also help control your COPD symptoms. Your healthcare provider may choose to prescribe a combination of therapies to help optimize the management of your COPD.

Delivery devices

COPD medications are available in many forms. Inhaled medications are the most often prescribed because they deliver the drug to your airways. The three most common ways to administer inhaled COPD medications are the following:

  1. Nebulizer A nebulizer system consists of a nebulizer (a small reservoir) and an air compressor. Pressurized air is used to change the medication to a mist, which is inhaled for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. With a nebulizer, you breathe normally through a mouthpiece or mask to take your medicine. There’s no need to inhale deeply or hold your breath. BROVANA is an example of a long-acting maintenance medication you take with a nebulizer.
  2. Metered-dose inhaler (MDI) A small portable device that combines the medication with a propellant to produce a fine mist, which is delivered as a "puff" as you inhale. An MDI consists of a pressurized canister of medication and a mouthpiece. MDIs require "hand-breath" coordination, meaning you must be able to coordinate pressing down on the inhaler and breathing in the medication.
  3. Dry powder inhaler (DPI) These are small, portable devices that contain powdered medication. These inhalers are breath-activated (when you inhale, it changes the medication into a fine powder mist), so they require less "hand-breath" coordination than MDIs. However, you need to be able to inhale deeply and forcefully for the device to work properly.

With all the COPD medicines and delivery devices that are available, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider to find out which treatment option is right for you.

LEARN ABOUT A LONG-ACTING TREATMENT OPTION