Brovana 15mcg (arfermoterol tartrate) Inhalation Solution

Treatment Options

If you or someone you care for has already been diagnosed with COPD, stay positive in knowing you have taken the first step. Although COPD is a serious and progressive disease, there are medications that can help better manage symptoms so you may resume daily activities. Your doctor can prescribe treatments designed for each stage of the condition that may help improve your quality of life.¹

Many COPD medications work by relaxing the airways, making breathing easier.^1,2 These are called bronchodilators, and they are usually inhaled, though some can be taken as pills or syrup.¹ There are several types of bronchodilators:

• Short-acting beta₂-agonists (such as XOPENEX^®6,7 brand of levalbuterol) start working within minutes and last about 4-8 hours. They are often called "rescue medicines."^1,2
• Long-acting beta₂-agonists (such as BROVANA^®), or "maintenance medicines," help control symptoms for up to 12 hours.^1,2
• Short-acting and long-acting anticholinergics, which affect nerve impulses to help relieve symptoms, last for 6 to 24 hours.^1,2
• Methylxanthines (such as theophylline) are a type of oral bronchodilator that may be used in COPD.^1,2

Corticosteroids, either inhaled or taken orally, are also used in COPD, though not as commonly as bronchodilators.¹ Corticosteriods help to reduce swelling and inflammation in the airways.^1,2

Other types of therapy and lifestyle changes, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and quitting smoking, can also help control symptoms.¹ Your doctor may choose a combination of therapies to optimize the management of your COPD.

Read on to learn more about specific medications and other complementary therapies.

Medication Delivery Methods
Many types of medications are used to treat COPD. Your healthcare provider will decide which medicine is best for you based on your medical history, breathing tests, and other laboratory tests. COPD medications are available in many forms, the most common of which are inhaled medications. Inhaled medications are delivered directly to the airway and lungs using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), a dry-powder inhaler (DPI), or a nebulizer. Both MDIs and DPIs deliver the medication in a "puff" that you breathe in. A nebulizer turns the liquid medication into a fine mist that you can breathe in slowly through a mouthpiece.³

The 3 most common ways COPD medication is administered:

Nebulizers

A nebulizer system consists of a nebulizer (a small reservoir) and an air compressor. Pressurized air is used to change the medication to a mist, which is inhaled for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. With a nebulizer you breathe normally through a mouthpiece or mask to get your medicine, however they can be time-consuming to use.³

Metered-dose inhalers A short-acting metered-dose inhaler (MDI) combines medication with a propellant to produce a fine mist. This type of inhaler consists of a pressurized canister of medication and a mouthpiece. Although MDIs are quick to use and highly portable, many patients use them incorrectly.4 To use an MDI, patients must be able to coordinate pressing down on the inhaler and breathing in the medication.4,5

Dry powder inhalers

Dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) are small, portable devices that contain medication in powder form. These inhalers are breath-activated, so they require less hand-breath coordination than MDIs.^4,5 However, you need to be able to inhale rapidly for the device to work properly.^4,5 To use a DPI, you fill a chamber with the medicine, exhale, and then breathe in deeply and rapidly.^4,5

Tell your doctor if you find your medication difficult to use. There are alternative therapies available to you.     

Talking With Your Doctor
With all the medicine delivery options available, the best thing to do is to speak with your doctor to find out which dispensing method is right for you. You can click here to read some tips that will enable you to communicate more effectively with your doctor.