COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) refers to an assortment of conditions that occur because of damage to your airways and lungs. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. People with COPD might have symptoms like cough, wheezing, trouble breathing, and chest tightness. COPD is frequently a result of smoking, but may sometimes be the result of breathing in environmental toxins. There’s no cure for this disease, because the damage to airways and lungs is permanent, but there are medications, called bronchodilators, that can open up airways and reduce inflammation so that patients can breathe easier. The following list of the top five bronchodilators will discuss the best long-acting medicines that are available, what their uses are and what side effects they may have. Keep reading to find out which bronchodilator may be right for you, so you can discuss your options with your doctor.
Top 5 Bronchodilators Used in COPD Treatment
- Tudorza Pressair (Aclidinium)
- Seebri Neohaler (Glycopyrrolate)
- Arcapta Neohaler (Indacaterol)
- Striverdi Respimat (Olodaterol)
- Incruse Ellipta (Umeclidinium)
Tudorza Pressair (Aclidinium)
Tudorza Pressair (Aclidinium) is a prescription inhalation powder that is used to address COPD symptoms, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Common side effects include cough, headache, and respiratory tract infection (body aches, sore throat, and stuffy or runny nose). Occasionally Tudorza Pressair may cause more serious side effects including pain when urinating, problems passing urine, and eye damage. This medication might interact with heart problem drugs like Atropine and anticholinergic drugs like Tiotropium.
Highlights
- Prescription inhalation powder
- Side effects include respiratory tract infection
- Might interact with certain heart medications
Seebri Neohaler (Glycopyrrolate)
Seebri Neohaler (Glycopyrrolate) is a brand-name inhalation powder utilized to treat COPD. This is a long-acting capsule containing an inhalation powder and isn’t useful for treating sudden COPD symptoms. The capsule is placed into a designated inhaler in order to breathe in this medication through the mouth. Some of the more common side effects include sore throat, runny nose, and upper respiratory tract infection. Occasionally the Seebri Neohaler can cause serious side effects, like severe allergic reactions (hives, rash, and swelling of the lips, face, and tongue), urinary problems, and eye problems, including blurry vision and eye pain. Use this drug only if COPD is stable. Persons with glaucoma, bladder or prostate problems, a milk protein allergy, and pregnant women should not use this drug.
Highlights
- Brand name inhalation powder
- Capsule is placed into a designated inhaler prior to use
- Serious side effects include severe allergic reactions and urinary problems
Arcapta Neohaler (Indacaterol)
Arcapta Neohaler (Indacaterol) is a brand-name long-acting inhalation powder that is used to treat COPD. The powder is available in capsules taken orally. Typical side effects are sore throat, cough, runny nose, nausea, and headache. It is not used for sudden symptoms, and persons taking this drug should always have a rescue inhaler, like albuterol, with them. Serious side effects include chest tightness and other worsening symptoms of COPD, allergic reactions, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, heart problems like muscle spasms and abnormal heart rhythm, high blood sugar, blurred vision, and frequent urination. This medication might interact with HIV drugs, antifungal drugs like Ketoconazole, heart drugs like Verapamil, antibiotics, including Erythromycin, asthma drugs, depression drugs, heart and high blood pressure drugs, steroids and diuretics. People with seizures, thyroid problems, heart problems, pregnant women and people with milk allergies should not take this drug.
Highlights
- Powder is available in oral capsules
- Serious side effects include irregular heartbeat
- People with seizures shouldn’t take this drug
Striverdi Respimat (Olodaterol)
Striverdi Respimat (Olodaterol) is a brand-name long-acting inhalation solution. This is a spray that is breathed into the mouth. Common side effects of this drug are bronchitis, cough, dizziness, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, joint pain, and back pain. Serious side effects include chest pain, increased blood pressure, low blood potassium, and high blood sugar. This drug might interact with other COPD or asthma drugs, depression drugs, and steroid and heart drugs. People with seizures, heart problems, diabetes, or hypothyroidism shouldn’t take this drug.
Highlights
- Long-acting inhalation solution
- This medication is administered via a spray breathed into the mouth
- People with hypothyroidism shouldn’t take this drug
Incruse Ellipta (Umeclidinium)
Incruse Ellipta (Umeclidinium) is a brand-name long-acting inhalation powder. Common side effects include sore throat, muscle pain, lung infection, and irregular or fast heart rate. Serious side effects include allergic reactions, eye problems, including seeing halos around lights, and bladder problems. This drug might interact with other breathing problem drugs. People with bladder or prostate problems, eye problems, heart problems, or pregnant women or breastfeeding women shouldn’t take this drug.
Highlights
- Brand-name long-acting inhalation powder
- Might interact with other drugs used to treat COPD and other breathing-related illnesses
- Pregnant women shouldn’t take this drug
Conclusion
Only your doctor can help you decide which of these medications are right for you and your healthcare needs. If you suffer from COPD, talk to your doctor about your treatment options, including medications, to determine which medication you should take to help control your symptoms.