TREATMENT
MEDICATION FOR AN EXACERBATION
Managing an exacerbation
When you experience an exacerbation, your doctor may prescribe additional treatment (to use with your usual inhaler(s)) to reduce the damage the exacerbation could cause to your lungs, and possibly to the rest of your body. 4,12
| Treatment type | Description | Examples |
| Quick-acting bronchodilator | Some medicine ingredients from the different groups of bronchodilators, Beta-2 agonists, and anticholinergics, work quickly to relieve breathlessness, and their effect does not last long. |
Beta-2 agonists – fenoterol, salbutamol, terbutaline Anticholinergic – ipratropium bromide |
| Oral corticosteroids | Corticosteroid pills are often used for short periods of time – usually when you have a COPD exacerbation. They have more side effects than inhaled corticosteroids. | Prednisone |
| Antibiotics | Antibiotics can help when a bacterial infection triggers an exacerbation, but will not work if it was caused by a virus. Oral corticosteroids are often prescribed alongside antibiotics. | Azithromycin, erythromycin |
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Medication for COPD
Once you are diagnosed with COPD, your doctor will prescribe medication to control the condition and prevent it from worsening, or prevent an exacerbation.
Other medication and rehabilitation
Your doctor may recommend mucolytics, supplemental oxygen, a lung transplant, or pulmonary rehabilitation.