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 |
|
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 |
|
LABA/inhaled corticosteroid combinations |
Can be used for the treatment of patients
with severe and very severe COPD |
|
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.