Treatment Regimes for COPD
(This list is not exhaustive)
Treatment (medication) for mild COPD
1. Short-acting inhaled beta-2 agonist
- Salbutamol (Ventolin) or
- Terbutaline (Bricanyl)
or
2. Short-acting inhaled antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) bronchodilators - Ipratropium (Atrovent, Respontin) to be used as required (at least 80 micrograms to produce maximum effect).
Treatment (medication) for moderate COPD
1. Regular antimuscarinic bronchodilator (short or long- acting)
- Ipratropium (short acting) or
- Tiotropium (Spiriva) (long acting) plus
- Long- acting Beta2 agonist
- Salmeterol (Serevent) or
- Formoterol Oxis (Foradil)
or In combination
2. Combivent (Salbutamol and Ipratropium
and
Duovent (Fenoterol and Ipratropium)
or
3. Inhaled Steroids (for those with frequent exacerbations and reversibility)
Treatment (medication) for severe COPD
This may include:
- 1. Inhaled short-acting beta agonist, or antimuscarinic bronchodilator – Regular treatment (such as three times a day)
- 2. Inhaled steroids
- 3. Long term oxygen therapy
- 4. Nebulized bronchodilators
- 5. Short course of oral steroids
- 6. Antibacterial treatment (antibiotics)
- 7. Combination of long-acting beta2 agonist, and inhaled corticosteroid (Seretide)
- 8. Theophylline (often used when other treatments have failed to adequately control symptoms) (Nuelin, Slophyllin, Uniphyllin)
- 9. Combinations of Salbutamol and Ipratropium (Combivent) or Salbutamol and Aminophylline
