Table 2: Examples of COPD Pharmacotherapiesa

Drug Class (Example) Recommended Purpose (Drug Class)
Increase Dose and/or Frequency for Acute Exacerbations
Short-acting β2-agonist Can be used during all stages of the disease
  • Albuterol
Long-Acting Agents (for prevention of future exacerbations)
LABA Maintenance therapy beginning in GOLD II; more effective than short-acting agents alone
  • Formoterol
  • Arfomoterol
  • Salmeterol
Long-acting anticholinergic Maintenance therapy beginning in GOLD II; more effective than short-acting agents alone
  • Tiotropium1
LABA/inhaled corticosteroid combinations Can be used for the treatment of patients with severe and very severe COPD
  • Salmeterol/Fluticasone2

1 Indicated to reduce exacerbations.
2 Indicated to reduce exacerbations in COPD patients with a history of exacerbations.
LABA=Long-acting β2-agonist; GOLD II=Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage II (moderate COPD); COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
a Please refer to references [5, 23, 30] as cited in text.