COPD Medication Reference Guide For Canadians

A COPD Medication Reference Guide for Canadians

KNOW YOUR COPD MEDICATIONS A REFERENCE GUIDE FOR CANADIANS – NOTE: This List is NOT All Inclusive & Is Intended as General Information ONLY!
Generic Name	Brand Name (Name given to generic drug by manufacturer)	Drug Effect (What do these medications do?)	Form of Medication (How are these medications applied?)	Administration (How and when should these drugs be taken?)	Possible Side Effects (Symptoms that could develop from taking these drugs)
Short-acting Bronchodilators - These drugs are for use to relieve or prevent shortness of breath - “Rescue inhalers”
Salbutamol (Albuterol in USA)	Ventolin	Prevents and relieves bronchial spasms and opens the airways by relaxing the smooth muscle that surrounds the airway.	Metered dose inhaler Nebulizer solution Subcutaneous injections	Rinse mouth after using inhaler to prevent hoarseness and throat irritation.	Symptoms are temporary: dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, rapid heart beat, raised blood pressure and tremors
Terbutaline sulfate	Bricanyl		Dry powder inhaler
Long-acting bronchodilators - These drugs are used on a fixed daily schedule to control symptoms of shortness of breath also known as long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists or long acting beta agonists or LABAs
Salmeterol xinafoate Formoterol fumarate	Serevent Foradil, Oxeze	Prevents bronchial spasm. Opens the airway by relaxing the smooth muscle that lines the bronchi	Metered dose inhaler or Dry Powder Inhaler	Generally one or two puffs every 12 hours. Not for use to relieve an asthma attack. (Note fortmoterol fumarate is fast-acting and may be used as a “rescue inhaler” but not if used less than 12 hours from any other dose of the same drug)	Same as with short-acting bronchodilators
Anti-cholinergic bronchodilators - Also known as anti-muscarinics
Iptrotropium bromide	Atrovent HFA	Relieve bronchial spasms and reduce air trapped in lung	Metered dose inhaler, nebulizer solution	Generally 2 puffs 4x day	Cough, dry mouth, bad taste. Avoid eye contact
Tiotropium bromide	Spiriva	Relieve bronchial spasms and reduce air trapped in lung	Dry Powder Inhaler	2 puffs from the same capsule once per day	Dry mouth, may aggravate glaucoma and BPH (urinary retention) Avoid eye contact.
Inhaled Corticosteroids - These drugs are used on a fixed daily schedule to control symptoms of inflammation and phlegm
Beclomethasone dipropionate Flunisolide	Beclovent,Beconase, Flonase	Reduces inflammation and phlegm production in the airways			Hoarseness Thrush – a yeast infection of mouth and throat. Increased risk of pneumonia and osteoporosis
Fluticasone propionate	Flovent
Budesonide	Pulmicort		'Turbuhaler' dry powder inhaler
Triamcinolone	Nasacort
Ciclesonide	Alvesco
Combination Inhalers – Combinations of Long acting bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids
Fluticasone/Salmeterol	Advair	Opens airways and reduce inflammation	Metered dose inhaler and/or dry powder inhaler	Generally one or two puffs every 12 hours Not for use to relieve an asthma attack. Use only as prescribed	Refer to side effects for each individual medication
Budesonide/Formaterol	Symbicort	Opens airways and reduce inflammation	Metered dose inhaler and/or dry powder inhaler		Refer to side effects for each individual medication
Oral Corticosteroids - To control inflammation during exacerbations
Prednisone Prednisolone Methylprednisolone		Reduce inflammation	Oral tablet or injection	Prescribed amount varies depending on condition. Usually tapering off in a short period (two weeks or less). Requires medical supervision.	Increased energy, Increased appetite, Sleeplessness, Mood swings Can induce temporary diabetes and exacerbate established diabetes Osteoporosis, glaucoma
Methylxanthines
Theophylline aminophylline	Theo-dur	Slightly relaxes the airways in the lungs, improve breathing by increasing the strength of the diaphragm, and stimulate the breathing control centers in the brain.	Tablets, Capsules,Liquid	Take with food Swallow tablets whole— don’t chew or crush them Don’t take before bedtime if one daily dose has been pre-scribed	Upset Stomach, heartburn, insomnia, headache, nervousness, irritability, rapid heart rate.
Theo-bromine	Dark chocolate!		Bar!	non-prescription	Weight gain!
Caffeine	Coffee! (not decaffeinated)		Cup!	non-prescription	Sleeplessness!
Anti-Leukotrienes – Reduce some types of airway allergic reactions – NOT for immediate relief
Montelukast sodium Zafirlukast	Singulair Accolate	Reduces allergic reactions	Oral tablet	Take at bedtime. Take as prescribed	Tiredness

Photographs & Chart prepared by C. Wigley

IMPORTANT NOTE: This table cannot substitute for professional advice. You should take all your medications as prescribed by your physician. Contact your doctor’s office or pharmacist if you have questions or if you begin to suffer from any of the side effects listed above. The side effects listed are those more commonly experienced and are far from being complete.

Disclaimer: The information above is far from all inclusive. Additionally it has NOT been reviewed by a Dr. It is intended solely for information purposes only. Dosage, alternative medicines, side effects etc are not included nor listed here. It is important that you have your Dr. and/or pharmacist fully explain how these and other medicines work and what to expect. ALWAYS ask questions and speak with your Dr.

Same Drug, Different Name

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