COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Medications for COPD
This page explains the main medicines used to treat COPD and how they can help your symptoms.
COPD medicines cannot cure COPD, but they can improve your symptoms. By taking the right medicine at the right time, you can:
be more active
have less coughing and shortness of breath
get fewer flare-ups
Your doctor will prescribe the COPD medicines that are right for you. Make sure you know:
which medicines you are taking
how to take them
when to take them
who to ask if you have any questions
Different kinds of COPD medicine do different things for you:
bronchodilators treat shortness of breath
combination medicines and corticosteroid pills prevent and treat COPD flare-ups
antibiotics treat some infections that cause flare-ups
flu and pneumonia vaccines prevent some infections that cause flare-ups
supplemental oxygen boosts your oxygen level
Medicines to treat shortness of breath: bronchodilators
If you have COPD, your main symptom is probably shortness of breath. You might get short of breath when you exercise, when you do chores, when you feel upset, or for no reason at all.
Bronchodilator medicines open up the airways (breathing tubes) in your lungs. When your airways are more open, its easier to breathe. Doctors may prescribe more than one kind of bronchodilator to treat COPD.
There are two main types of bronchodilators that come in inhalers:
Beta-2 agonists, for example:
salbutamol (Ventolin )
terbutaline (Bricanyl )
formoterol (Oxeze )
salmeterol (Serevent )
Some side effects: fast heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, irritability (feeling cranky), difficulty sleeping, muscle cramps, and shaky hands. More serious side effects are rare. Side effects are usually less noticeable as time goes on.
Anticholinergics, for example:
ipratropium bromide (Atrovent )
tiotropium (Spiriva )
Some side effects: occasional dry mouth. Men who have trouble with their prostate gland may have difficulty urinating (peeing).
Back to Top
Some bronchodilators work quickly, others work slowly
Rapid-onset bronchodilators (also called quick-relief medicines) act quickly and start to relieve shortness of breath within minutes. They are often used as needed, to help relieve sudden shortness of breath. Quick-relief medicines usually come in a blue puffer.
Some rescue medicines are short-acting and last for 4-6 hours (like Ventolin or Bricanyl ). Some are long-acting and last for up to 12 hours (like Oxeze ).
Slow-onset bronchodilators take longer to act. Some last for 4 to 6 hours (like Atrovent ), and some last up to 12 hours (like Serevent ). One slow-onset bronchodilator lasts for 24 hours (Spiriva ).
If you're short of breath and need help right away, take a quick-relief medicine like Ventolin , Bricanyl , or Oxeze . Quick-relief medicines usually come in a blue puffer. Keep your quick-relief medicine with you at all times, so its there when you need it.
All the bronchodilators listed above come in puffers (inhalers). Learn how to use puffers (inhalers) and other devices.
Theres another kind of bronchodilator that opens your airways. This one is in pill form:
Xanthines or theophyllines (such as Uniphyl or Theodur )
Xanthines or theophyllines are slow-onset bronchodilator pills. They dont open your airways as well as inhaled bronchodilators, and they can have serious side effects and drug interactions. For these reasons, xanthines/ theophyllines are not commonly used. When they are used, its usually in combination with other bronchodilators.
Some side effects: nausea, heartburn, restlessness and fast heartbeat.
Xanthines/theophyllines can interact with food and other medicines. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist knows all the other medicines you are taking. If you are taking these pills, your doctor will give you regular blood tests to monitor how much of the medicine is in your body.
Medicines to prevent and treat COPD flare-ups
A COPD flare-up is when your symptoms get worse. Some symptoms of a COPD flare-up are more shortness of breath, more coughing, and more phlegm (mucus). Its very important to prevent flare-ups and to treat them as soon as you can. Flare-ups are the main reason COPD patients go to hospital. They can be deadly.
Combination medicines: inhalers that combine a bronchodilator and a corticosteroid
If you have ongoing breathing problems and moderate or severe COPD, your doctor may prescribe a combination medicine. They combine a bronchodilator that relieves shortness of breath, and an inhaled corticosteroid that brings down the swelling in your airways. Over time, combination medicines can help prevent COPD flare-ups.
Keep in mind that corticosteroids for COPD are not the same thing as the anabolic steroids some bodybuilders take to build muscle.
Some combination medicines for COPD are:
Advair (Flovent combined with Serevent )
Symbicort (Pulmicort combined with Oxeze )
Combination medicines are preventer medicines that need to be taken every day, usually twice a day. They help over time, but they do not help right away. If you need help right away, take a quick-relief medicine like Ventolin , Bricanyl , or Oxeze .
Some side effects: shaky hands (tremor), fast heartbeat, thrush (a whitish film covering your throat and tongue), a sore throat or a hoarse voice. You can have fewer Some side effects if you:
take the medicine as directed by your doctor
rinse your mouth with water after each dose: rinse, gargle, and spit the water out.
use a spacing chamber with your puffer
Corticosteroid pills
Corticosteroids also come as pills, (for example, Prednisone ). Corticosteroid pills have more side effects than the inhaled corticosteroids that are in combination medicines. Corticosteroid pills are used for short periods of time, usually when you have a moderate or severe COPD flare-up. They should not be taken on a regular basis unless your doctor says so.
Some side effects: thinning and bruising of the skin, sore throat, hoarse voice, bloating, weight gain, emotional changes, problems with blood sugar control, problems with blood pressure control. You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist about these Some side effects.
Back to Top
Medicines to treat infections: antibiotics
COPD flare-ups can be caused by viral infections (for example, the flu) or bacterial infections (for example, bacterial pneumonia). If you have a bacterial infection, you can treat it with antibiotics. If you have a viral infection, antibiotics won't work.
Your doctor may give you an antibiotic prescription to have at the ready, and tell you to fill the prescription if you feel a COPD flare-up coming on. Your doctor will give you a COPD action plan with clear directions on what to do and what medicine to take if you have a flare-up. Be sure to ask questions if you are not sure about what your COPD action plan means.
Its important to take your antibiotics as directed by your doctor and to take all of the antibiotics. When people dont take all of their antibiotics, infections can become stronger and harder to treat.
Medicine to prevent flare-ups: flu and pneumonia shots
Shot (vaccines) can help protect you against some strains of flu and pneumonia. Flu and pneumonia shots can lower your chances of getting a flare-up and needing hospital care.
You need to take a flu shot every year, usually in the fall. Learn more about the flu shot.
Most people with COPD need to take the pneumonia shot every 5- 10 years. Learn more about the pneumonia shot.
People with COPD are at high risk of H1N1 flu (swine flu) complications. You should get the H1N1 pandemic flu shot as soon as it's available. Learn more about the H1N1 pandemic flu shot.
Medicine to boost your oxygen level: supplemental oxygen
If you have more severe COPD, it may be hard for you to get enough oxygen from the natural air. Low oxygen levels can make you more short of breath and tired. If your blood oxygen level is very low, the doctor may prescribe supplemental oxygen. Studies show that when people who need supplemental oxygen get it, they can live longer.
People who take supplemental oxygen must continue taking their other medications.
Not everyone who has COPD needs to be on oxygen. To find out if you need supplemental oxygen, speak to your doctor or certified respiratory educator.
Generally, oxygen therapy can help people with:
very low blood-oxygen levels (hypoxemia)
temporary lung damage from infections (for example, pneumonia)
Oxygen only helps people who have very low blood-oxygen levels. Ask your doctor to test to see if oxygen might help you.
Benefits of oxygen
If your doctor says oxygen is right for you, you can enjoy these benefits:
it lengthens life by preventing heart strain from low levels of oxygen
it improves the way you feel and think
it decreases shortness of breath
it helps you exercise more easily
it cuts down on your need to go to the hospital
How does oxygen therapy work? Oxygen therapy is generally delivered as a gas from a cylinder or concentrator. You breathe in the oxygen through small nasal "prongs" that fit into your nostrils, or through a mask that covers your mouth and nose. Breathing in this extra oxygen raises low blood-oxygen levels, easing the strain on your body and making breathing easier.
Because your body can't store oxygen, the therapy works only while you use it. If you take off your oxygen mask or remove the prongs, your blood-oxygen level will drop within a few minutes.
Like any other prescription medicine, oxygen must be used carefully. You need to follow instructions and follow all the safety precautions. Your doctor will tailor your oxygen prescription to your individual needs. Be sure you get instruction on how to use your oxygen, and how to clean your equipment.
How long do people use oxygen therapy? You may be on oxygen therapy for a few weeks or months, or for the rest of your life. It depends on why you need it. If you have a lung infection, you may need to be on oxygen only until the infection clears and your blood-oxygen levels return to normal. If you always have low blood-oxygen levels, you may need to be on oxygen permanently.
More information about oxygen
You can't use oxygen if you smoke. No one can smoke within 10 feet (3 meters) of oxygen tanks, because of the risk of fire. You can't use oxygen anywhere near an open flame (candle, fireplace, etc).
Ask how to use the equipment. Learning how to use and care for the oxygen equipment may seem complicated. Have Ask the oxygen supply company to give you a demonstration. If you're not clear on something, keep asking until you feel confident. For more support, have a family member or caregiver learn about your equipment as well.
Keep your equipment clean. Clean equipment works more effectively. Keeping your equipment clean also helps prevent infections. Always wash your hands before cleaning or handling your oxygen equipment.
Have your doctor check your prescription at least once each year, or if your symptoms change, to see if your oxygen prescription still meets your needs.
Ask about funding. Oxygen therapy can be expensive, especially over the long term. You may qualify for government funding for oxygen therapy - ask your doctor if you're eligible. Funding varies from province to province.
You can travel with oxygen. With some extra help and planning, you can travel by car, plane, boat or train with your oxygen tank. Contact your home oxygen supply company well in advance of your trip to allow them to arrange for oxygen while traveling and at your destination. Learn more about travelling by airplane with oxygen.
To learn more about taking supplemental oxygen, download our fact sheet on oxygen therapy for COPD (PDF). It talks about oxygen tanks, nasal prongs, and other oxygen equipment. It answers common questions about oxygen, and includes tips on using oxygen safely.
How to get the most out of your COPD medicines
Write a list of all the medicines you take so that your health care providers can check for possible drug interactions. If you take over-the-counter medicine or natural health products, write those down too. They could interact with your medicines and make your breathing worse.
Go to the same pharmacy for all your medicines. If you fill all your prescriptions at the same place, your pharmacy record will show all the medicines youre taking. This way the pharmacist can make sure youre not taking any medicines that interact badly together.
Make sure you can tell the difference between your inhalers, and make sure you know how to use them properly. You may use several different inhalers for the different medicines you take. You can tell the inhalers apart by their names and colours. Make sure you know which is your quick relief medicine to take when youre short of breath. Keep it with you at all times.
Work with your doctor to decide the best way to treat your COPD symptoms. Talk about your symptoms, activities and concerns. Tell the doctor how you think your medicines are working. Ask questions. Keep asking questions until youre sure you understand.
Speak up if youre worried about side effects. Like all medicines, COPD medicines may cause side effects. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or certified respiratory educator. They can help you understand the pros and cons of each treatment.
Ask your doctor for a written COPD action plan to help you manage COPD flare-ups. This action plan will explain what to do if you notice your COPD symptoms getting worse. Follow your COPD action plan. To get a blank COPD action plan for your doctor to fill out, click here (PDF).
Visit a COPD clinic to learn more about your COPD medicines and how to take them. Ask your doctor about COPD clinics in your area or find COPD clinics in your area by searching in our online directory.
Get complete treatment for your COPD
Medicines are an important way to treat COPD, but there are other treatments too. Learn about all the treatments for COPD.
This page explains the main medicines used to treat COPD and how they can help your symptoms.
COPD medicines cannot cure COPD, but they can improve your symptoms. By taking the right medicine at the right time, you can:
be more active
have less coughing and shortness of breath
get fewer flare-ups
Your doctor will prescribe the COPD medicines that are right for you. Make sure you know:
which medicines you are taking
how to take them
when to take them
who to ask if you have any questions
Different kinds of COPD medicine do different things for you:
bronchodilators treat shortness of breath
combination medicines and corticosteroid pills prevent and treat COPD flare-ups
antibiotics treat some infections that cause flare-ups
flu and pneumonia vaccines prevent some infections that cause flare-ups
supplemental oxygen boosts your oxygen level
Medicines to treat shortness of breath: bronchodilators
If you have COPD, your main symptom is probably shortness of breath. You might get short of breath when you exercise, when you do chores, when you feel upset, or for no reason at all.
Bronchodilator medicines open up the airways (breathing tubes) in your lungs. When your airways are more open, its easier to breathe. Doctors may prescribe more than one kind of bronchodilator to treat COPD.
There are two main types of bronchodilators that come in inhalers:
Beta-2 agonists, for example:
salbutamol (Ventolin )
terbutaline (Bricanyl )
formoterol (Oxeze )
salmeterol (Serevent )
Some side effects: fast heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, irritability (feeling cranky), difficulty sleeping, muscle cramps, and shaky hands. More serious side effects are rare. Side effects are usually less noticeable as time goes on.
Anticholinergics, for example:
ipratropium bromide (Atrovent )
tiotropium (Spiriva )
Some side effects: occasional dry mouth. Men who have trouble with their prostate gland may have difficulty urinating (peeing).
Back to Top
Some bronchodilators work quickly, others work slowly
Rapid-onset bronchodilators (also called quick-relief medicines) act quickly and start to relieve shortness of breath within minutes. They are often used as needed, to help relieve sudden shortness of breath. Quick-relief medicines usually come in a blue puffer.
Some rescue medicines are short-acting and last for 4-6 hours (like Ventolin or Bricanyl ). Some are long-acting and last for up to 12 hours (like Oxeze ).
Slow-onset bronchodilators take longer to act. Some last for 4 to 6 hours (like Atrovent ), and some last up to 12 hours (like Serevent ). One slow-onset bronchodilator lasts for 24 hours (Spiriva ).
If you're short of breath and need help right away, take a quick-relief medicine like Ventolin , Bricanyl , or Oxeze . Quick-relief medicines usually come in a blue puffer. Keep your quick-relief medicine with you at all times, so its there when you need it.
All the bronchodilators listed above come in puffers (inhalers). Learn how to use puffers (inhalers) and other devices.
Theres another kind of bronchodilator that opens your airways. This one is in pill form:
Xanthines or theophyllines (such as Uniphyl or Theodur )
Xanthines or theophyllines are slow-onset bronchodilator pills. They dont open your airways as well as inhaled bronchodilators, and they can have serious side effects and drug interactions. For these reasons, xanthines/ theophyllines are not commonly used. When they are used, its usually in combination with other bronchodilators.
Some side effects: nausea, heartburn, restlessness and fast heartbeat.
Xanthines/theophyllines can interact with food and other medicines. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist knows all the other medicines you are taking. If you are taking these pills, your doctor will give you regular blood tests to monitor how much of the medicine is in your body.
Medicines to prevent and treat COPD flare-ups
A COPD flare-up is when your symptoms get worse. Some symptoms of a COPD flare-up are more shortness of breath, more coughing, and more phlegm (mucus). Its very important to prevent flare-ups and to treat them as soon as you can. Flare-ups are the main reason COPD patients go to hospital. They can be deadly.
Combination medicines: inhalers that combine a bronchodilator and a corticosteroid
If you have ongoing breathing problems and moderate or severe COPD, your doctor may prescribe a combination medicine. They combine a bronchodilator that relieves shortness of breath, and an inhaled corticosteroid that brings down the swelling in your airways. Over time, combination medicines can help prevent COPD flare-ups.
Keep in mind that corticosteroids for COPD are not the same thing as the anabolic steroids some bodybuilders take to build muscle.
Some combination medicines for COPD are:
Advair (Flovent combined with Serevent )
Symbicort (Pulmicort combined with Oxeze )
Combination medicines are preventer medicines that need to be taken every day, usually twice a day. They help over time, but they do not help right away. If you need help right away, take a quick-relief medicine like Ventolin , Bricanyl , or Oxeze .
Some side effects: shaky hands (tremor), fast heartbeat, thrush (a whitish film covering your throat and tongue), a sore throat or a hoarse voice. You can have fewer Some side effects if you:
take the medicine as directed by your doctor
rinse your mouth with water after each dose: rinse, gargle, and spit the water out.
use a spacing chamber with your puffer
Corticosteroid pills
Corticosteroids also come as pills, (for example, Prednisone ). Corticosteroid pills have more side effects than the inhaled corticosteroids that are in combination medicines. Corticosteroid pills are used for short periods of time, usually when you have a moderate or severe COPD flare-up. They should not be taken on a regular basis unless your doctor says so.
Some side effects: thinning and bruising of the skin, sore throat, hoarse voice, bloating, weight gain, emotional changes, problems with blood sugar control, problems with blood pressure control. You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist about these Some side effects.
Back to Top
Medicines to treat infections: antibiotics
COPD flare-ups can be caused by viral infections (for example, the flu) or bacterial infections (for example, bacterial pneumonia). If you have a bacterial infection, you can treat it with antibiotics. If you have a viral infection, antibiotics won't work.
Your doctor may give you an antibiotic prescription to have at the ready, and tell you to fill the prescription if you feel a COPD flare-up coming on. Your doctor will give you a COPD action plan with clear directions on what to do and what medicine to take if you have a flare-up. Be sure to ask questions if you are not sure about what your COPD action plan means.
Its important to take your antibiotics as directed by your doctor and to take all of the antibiotics. When people dont take all of their antibiotics, infections can become stronger and harder to treat.
Medicine to prevent flare-ups: flu and pneumonia shots
Shot (vaccines) can help protect you against some strains of flu and pneumonia. Flu and pneumonia shots can lower your chances of getting a flare-up and needing hospital care.
You need to take a flu shot every year, usually in the fall. Learn more about the flu shot.
Most people with COPD need to take the pneumonia shot every 5- 10 years. Learn more about the pneumonia shot.
People with COPD are at high risk of H1N1 flu (swine flu) complications. You should get the H1N1 pandemic flu shot as soon as it's available. Learn more about the H1N1 pandemic flu shot.
Medicine to boost your oxygen level: supplemental oxygen
If you have more severe COPD, it may be hard for you to get enough oxygen from the natural air. Low oxygen levels can make you more short of breath and tired. If your blood oxygen level is very low, the doctor may prescribe supplemental oxygen. Studies show that when people who need supplemental oxygen get it, they can live longer.
People who take supplemental oxygen must continue taking their other medications.
Not everyone who has COPD needs to be on oxygen. To find out if you need supplemental oxygen, speak to your doctor or certified respiratory educator.
Generally, oxygen therapy can help people with:
very low blood-oxygen levels (hypoxemia)
temporary lung damage from infections (for example, pneumonia)
Oxygen only helps people who have very low blood-oxygen levels. Ask your doctor to test to see if oxygen might help you.
Benefits of oxygen
If your doctor says oxygen is right for you, you can enjoy these benefits:
it lengthens life by preventing heart strain from low levels of oxygen
it improves the way you feel and think
it decreases shortness of breath
it helps you exercise more easily
it cuts down on your need to go to the hospital
How does oxygen therapy work? Oxygen therapy is generally delivered as a gas from a cylinder or concentrator. You breathe in the oxygen through small nasal "prongs" that fit into your nostrils, or through a mask that covers your mouth and nose. Breathing in this extra oxygen raises low blood-oxygen levels, easing the strain on your body and making breathing easier.
Because your body can't store oxygen, the therapy works only while you use it. If you take off your oxygen mask or remove the prongs, your blood-oxygen level will drop within a few minutes.
Like any other prescription medicine, oxygen must be used carefully. You need to follow instructions and follow all the safety precautions. Your doctor will tailor your oxygen prescription to your individual needs. Be sure you get instruction on how to use your oxygen, and how to clean your equipment.
How long do people use oxygen therapy? You may be on oxygen therapy for a few weeks or months, or for the rest of your life. It depends on why you need it. If you have a lung infection, you may need to be on oxygen only until the infection clears and your blood-oxygen levels return to normal. If you always have low blood-oxygen levels, you may need to be on oxygen permanently.
More information about oxygen
You can't use oxygen if you smoke. No one can smoke within 10 feet (3 meters) of oxygen tanks, because of the risk of fire. You can't use oxygen anywhere near an open flame (candle, fireplace, etc).
Ask how to use the equipment. Learning how to use and care for the oxygen equipment may seem complicated. Have Ask the oxygen supply company to give you a demonstration. If you're not clear on something, keep asking until you feel confident. For more support, have a family member or caregiver learn about your equipment as well.
Keep your equipment clean. Clean equipment works more effectively. Keeping your equipment clean also helps prevent infections. Always wash your hands before cleaning or handling your oxygen equipment.
Have your doctor check your prescription at least once each year, or if your symptoms change, to see if your oxygen prescription still meets your needs.
Ask about funding. Oxygen therapy can be expensive, especially over the long term. You may qualify for government funding for oxygen therapy - ask your doctor if you're eligible. Funding varies from province to province.
You can travel with oxygen. With some extra help and planning, you can travel by car, plane, boat or train with your oxygen tank. Contact your home oxygen supply company well in advance of your trip to allow them to arrange for oxygen while traveling and at your destination. Learn more about travelling by airplane with oxygen.
To learn more about taking supplemental oxygen, download our fact sheet on oxygen therapy for COPD (PDF). It talks about oxygen tanks, nasal prongs, and other oxygen equipment. It answers common questions about oxygen, and includes tips on using oxygen safely.
How to get the most out of your COPD medicines
Write a list of all the medicines you take so that your health care providers can check for possible drug interactions. If you take over-the-counter medicine or natural health products, write those down too. They could interact with your medicines and make your breathing worse.
Go to the same pharmacy for all your medicines. If you fill all your prescriptions at the same place, your pharmacy record will show all the medicines youre taking. This way the pharmacist can make sure youre not taking any medicines that interact badly together.
Make sure you can tell the difference between your inhalers, and make sure you know how to use them properly. You may use several different inhalers for the different medicines you take. You can tell the inhalers apart by their names and colours. Make sure you know which is your quick relief medicine to take when youre short of breath. Keep it with you at all times.
Work with your doctor to decide the best way to treat your COPD symptoms. Talk about your symptoms, activities and concerns. Tell the doctor how you think your medicines are working. Ask questions. Keep asking questions until youre sure you understand.
Speak up if youre worried about side effects. Like all medicines, COPD medicines may cause side effects. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or certified respiratory educator. They can help you understand the pros and cons of each treatment.
Ask your doctor for a written COPD action plan to help you manage COPD flare-ups. This action plan will explain what to do if you notice your COPD symptoms getting worse. Follow your COPD action plan. To get a blank COPD action plan for your doctor to fill out, click here (PDF).
Visit a COPD clinic to learn more about your COPD medicines and how to take them. Ask your doctor about COPD clinics in your area or find COPD clinics in your area by searching in our online directory.
Get complete treatment for your COPD
Medicines are an important way to treat COPD, but there are other treatments too. Learn about all the treatments for COPD.
I re-posted it because I am just now recovering from a flare up, its been a dificult week, and I dont do very well on the steroid medication, the side effects are dificult for me, and dificult breathing can be scary, and draining.
So, the refresher page above was helpful to me and I thought maybe for some of you to.
For those of you have also been having a dificult time, hang in there, its going to get better.
For those of you who are well, stay well and lets all take very good care of our selves and each other.
Hugs and Love to all,
Breath Easy and enjoy your day.
Always, Holly
Jean
Thank you
A senior citizen with whom I work, who doesn't have COPD or low oxygen saturation, swears by using oxygen while she works out on the treadmill and elliptical trainer. She claims that she does not get DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) otherwise known as post-exercise pain, when she does this. I don't get DOMS too often now that my vitamin D deficiency has been treated, but I know how much it sucks when you overdo it exercising and your muscles scream at you the next day.
But back to your post... thanks again for the info! The baking soda advice is good too. I sometimes get oral thrush from eating candy, even just 1 piece. It really sucks because I like my chocolate!
I think whatever helps you feel better is great and who knows which doctor is good anyways until you use one....and it seems your husband has found what he needs with his....I think it is FAB. ChroncilL
Thank you for your post....I learn a lot.
I copy a little of what you wrote:
Combination medicines: inhalers that combine a bronchodilator and a corticosteroid
If you have ongoing breathing problems and moderate or severe COPD, your doctor may prescribe a combination medicine. They combine a bronchodilator that relieves shortness of breath, and an inhaled corticosteroid that brings down the swelling in your airways. Over time, combination medicines can help prevent COPD flare-ups.
WELL IT DOES WORK!!!! I AM PROFF OF IT!!! JUST AGAIN THANKS FOR YOUR INFORMATION...I THINK SEEING IT HERE MAKES ME KNOW IT IS OK TO DO...EVEN THO MY DOCTOR SAID IT ETC. I trust you all first.
Thank you
Ruthie
Also the info on oxygen is very helpful - I've been an on again, off again user for over two years and am still puzzled about it. I'm having breathing tests at a lab tomorrow and when the results are in I'm going to ask for a written plan from the nurse practioner. I was told long ago that lack of oxygen is bad for your brain and causes high blood pressure of the heart. Not happy thoughts.