Pharmacotherapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

ABSTRACT

The goals of management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are to reduce both current symptoms and future risks with minimal side effects from treatment. Identification and reduction of exposure to risk factors are important in the treatment and prevention of COPD. Appropriate pharmacologic therapy can reduce symptoms and exacerbations, and improve health status and exercise tolerance. To date, none of the existing medications for COPD has been shown to modify disease progression or reduce mortality. The classes of medication are bronchodilators including beta2-agonist, anticholinergics and anti-inflammatory drug including inhaled corticosteroid and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor such as roflumilast. Each treatment regimen needs to be individualized as the relationship between severity of symptoms, airflow limitation and severity of exacerbation can differ between patients.