Pharmacological Management of COPD

1. Bronchodilators

• Open the bronchial tubes and clear out mucus
• Examples: Theophylline, salbutamol, aminophylline

2. Mucolytics

• Break down the structures that hold mucus together
• Make sputum easier to expel from the airways
• Examples: Acetylcysteine, carbocysteine, erdosteine, fudosteine

3. Anti-inflammatory Medicines & Glucocorticoid Steroids

• Used for more persistent symptoms
• Help decrease chronic inflammation that may cause tissue damage
• Examples: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, prednisolone

4. Antibiotics

• Effective for bacterial infections, NOT viral infections
• May also prevent secondary infections
• Examples: Doxycycline, amoxicillin, azithromycin, benzyl penicillin

Source: Pharmacotherapeutics textbook, Chapter on COPD Management, Page 28