Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Medications

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Treatment of exacerbations commonly includes the following measures:

Oxygen. Supplemental oxygen with controlled oxygen therapy and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.

Bronchodilation. Inhaled anticholinergics or short-acting beta2-agonists may be used. Theophylline is not recommended, because it provides very little benefit and carries a risk of serious side effects.

Corticosteroids. Corticosteroid medications may be given either through a vein (intravenously) or by mouth (orally), for up to 2 weeks. This treatment is only possible in patients who have not received long-term oral corticosteroid therapy.

Antibiotics. These may be used if there are signs of infection, such as fever or yellow or green phlegm.

Review Date: 04/10/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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