Further treatments for COPD
Bronchodilator tablets
These contain medicines such as theophylline that 'open the airways'. Side-effects are quite common and inhalers are usually better. However, some people find inhalers difficult to use, and tablets are an alternative. They may also be added in to the above treatments in severe cases.
Steroid tablets
A short course of steroid tablets is sometimes prescribed if you have a bad flare-up of wheeze and breathlessness (often during a chest infection). They help by reducing the extra inflammation in the airways caused by infections. Taking steroid tablets long-term is not advised due to the serious side-effects which can develop.
Mucolytic medicines
A mucolytic medicine such as carbocisteine makes the sputum less thick and easier to cough up. This may also have a knock-on effect of making it less easy for bacteria (bugs) to infect the mucus and cause chest infections. The number of flare-ups of symptoms (exacerbations) tends to be less in people who take a mucolytic. It needs to be taken regularly, and is most likely to help if you have moderate or severe COPD and have frequent or bad flare-ups.
Antibiotics
A short course is often prescribed if you have a chest infection.
Oxygen
This may help some people with severe symptoms. It does not help in all cases. A specialist usually does some breathing tests to assess whether oxygen will help. If found to help, oxygen needs to be taken for at least 15-20 hours a day to be of benefit.
Surgery
This is an option in a very small number of cases. For example, removing a section of lung that has become useless may improve symptoms. Lung transplantation is being studied, but is not a realistic option in most cases.
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rob fraser, about 1 year
very good artical i to ignored this illness and am now very frightend
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Peter A. Mason, about 1 year
I understand that there is new treatment being marketed by two different manufacturers. One is performing extensive tests. The other is about to market without tests. The object of these medications is to repair damagad lungs; hitherto considered to be impossible. Have you any information???
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