COPD?
Rethink your treatment options.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic disease usually caused by exposure to noxious particles or gases like cigarette smoke. Symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing make it difficult to keep up with normal activities, but we’re working on new options. Learn about the cutting-edge study treatments being investigated near you.
COPD Clinical Trials
Learn about the newest COPD study treatments now being investigated, including cutting-edge study options available to clinical trial participants.
TrialSpark is now recruiting for a trial that tests the effectiveness of a cystic fibrosis drug on COPD symptoms.
Treatments Today
Many current treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) alleviate symptoms through bronchodilators, which relax the muscles around the airways.
8
Prescription treatments on the market in 2019.
Azithromycin
Azithromycin prevents exacerbations of COPD (acute bronchitis, pneumonia and influenza), but it isn't clear whether this is due to its antibiotic effect or its anti-inflammatory properties.
Availablity
RX
Brands
Azasite, Azithromycin 3 Day Dose Pack, Azithromycin 5 Day Dose Pack, Zithromax, Zithromax TRI-PAK, Zithromax Z-Pak, Zmax
Drug Class
Macrolide Antibiotics
Generic
Azithromycin
Albuterol
Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to prevent and treat wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing caused by lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Albuterol relaxes and opens the air passages to the lungs to make breathing easier. Albuterol belongs to class of drugs called short-acting beta-2- agonist bronchodilators. Available in different formulations, including oral syrups, inhalation powders, inhalation suspensions, and inhalation solutions.
Availablity
RX
Brands
ProAir HFA, ProAir RespiClick, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, AccuNeb
Drug Class
Short-acting Beta2-agonists (Bronchodilators)
Generic
Albuterol
Inhaled combination of Indacaterol and Glycopyrrolate
Utibron Neohaler, a combination medicine containing glycopyrrolate and indacaterol, is used to prevent airflow obstruction or bronchospasm in people with COPD. Glycopyrrolate is an anticholinergic. Indacaterol is a bronchodilator. These medications work by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing. Utibron Neohaler should not be used in patients with asthma. Indacaterol may increase the risk of death in people with asthma, but the risk in people with COPD is not known.
Availablity
RX
Brands
Utibron Neohaler
Drug Class
Combination Inhaled Medicine: Beta2 Agonist + Anticholinergic
Generic
Glycopyrrolate and Indacaterol (Inhalation)
Inhaled Indacaterol
Inhaled indacaterol is a bronchodilator used to control wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by COPD. It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe. Indacaterol belongs to class of drugs called long-acting beta-2- agonists. It's available in a 75 mcg capsule.
Availablity
RX
Brands
Arcapta Neohaler
Drug Class
Long-acting Beta2-agonists (Bronchodilators)
Generic
Indacaterol
Inhaled Ipratropium Bromide
Inhaled ipratropium is a bronchodilator used to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness in COPD patients. It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe. Ipratropium belongs to a class of medications called short-acting anticholinergics.
Availablity
RX
Brands
Atrovent, Atrovent HFA
Drug Class
Short-acting Anticholinergics (Bronchodilators)
Generic
Ipratropium inhalation
Roflumilast
Roflumilast is used in people with severe COPD to reduce the number of episodes or worsening of COPD symptoms. The drug works by decreasing inflammation (swelling) in the lungs. Roflumilast belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase inhibitors..
Availablity
RX
Brands
Daliresp
Drug Class
Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors
Generic
Roflumilast
Theophylline
Theophylline is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It relaxes and opens air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
Availablity
RX
Brands
Aerolate III, JR, and SR, Bronkodyl, Elixophyllin, Quibron-T/SR, Respbid, Slo-Bid Gyrocaps, Slo-Phyllin, T-Phyl, Theo-24, Theo-Dur, Theo-Time, Theo-X, Theobid, Theochron, Theoclear LA-130, Theoclear LA-260, Theolair, Theolair-SR, Theovent, Uni-Dur, Uniphyl
Drug Class
Methylxanthines
Generic
Theophylline
Tiotropium
Tiotropium is a bronchodilator used to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness in COPD patients. It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe. Tiatropium belongs to a class of medications called long-acting anticholinergics.
Availablity
RX
Brands
Spiriva, Spiriva Respimat, Spiriva HandiHaler, Spiriva Respimat 30 Dose, Spiriva Respimat 14 Dose, Spiriva Respimat 28 ACT, Spiriva Respimat 60 ACT
Drug Class
Long-acting Anticholinergics (Bronchodilators)
Generic
Tiotropium inhalation
COPD In the News
From the latest relevant research and COPD expert interviews to personal stories and advice on managing your symptoms, here’s everything about COPD that’s making headlines.
Treatment Failure in COPD Reduced
Treatment failure may be significantly reduced by a 3-month course of azithromycin for acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations that require hospitalization.
Inhaled steroids reduce risk of lung cancer in COPD patients: UBC study
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) who used inhaled steroids for their breathing problems had a 30 per cent reduced risk of getting lung cancer, according to a study by University of B.C. researchers.
Poor Sleep May Increase COPD Exacerbation Risk
Poor sleep quality, assessed using a validated sleep questionnaire, was associated with higher COPD exacerbation risk over 18 months of follow-up in a Canadian prospective cohort study.
Daily Aspirin Might Ease COPD Flare-Ups
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Many Americans take a daily low-dose aspirin to protect their hearts. Now it appears aspirin may also reduce flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD May Strike Women Harder Than Men
WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) appear to have a harder time than men with the progressive lung disorder, a new study suggests.
Is Daily Vitamin D a Lifesaver for COPD Patients?
FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Deadly lung attacks may be averted in some COPD patients with a daily dose of vitamin D, new research suggests.
FAQ
Whether you’re considering participating in a clinical trial or just looking for more information about COPD, we want to keep you informed about living with COPD, your treatment options, and the clinical trial process.
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Updated June 2019