How Effective Are Bronchodilators for COPD?

Bronchodilators are considered very effective for temporarily relieving chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms. There are various types of bronchodilators for COPD, and each one works to make breathing easier. They usually accomplish this by relaxing muscles in the chest that have a constrictive effect on the airways. Some, referred to as short-acting bronchodilators, are designed for use when a person is having a current episode of breathing problems and last for up to about six to eight hours. Longer-acting types can last for about 12 to 24 hours.

Some bronchodilators are referred to as beta-agonists, which a person can take by mouth or by using an inhaler. In most cases, however, doctors prescribe these medications for use via inhalation because they work fastest and often prove more effective this way. A doctor may prescribe short-term or long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators for COPD, depending on the patient’s unique needs. They are not only helpful for keeping the small airways clear but also for improving a patient’s endurance of exercise.

Doctors also prescribe short- or long-acting anticholinergics for the treatment of COPD. These medications are effective at stopping the large airways from constricting, which makes breathing easier. Unlike beta-agonists, they are only prescribed for use by inhalation. Often, a person uses these bronchodilators for COPD when he cannot take beta-agonists due to diagnosis with heart disease.

Doctors often use anticholinergics to treat symptoms of COPD that last for a long time. These inhaled medications aren’t usually used for symptoms that occur suddenly or for quick relief because they can take a while to work. Instead, a person must usually take them every day to experience improved lung function. Often, doctors prescribe the combined use of anticholinergic and beta-agonist bronchodilators for COPD to provide the most effective symptom relief.

A patient may also use a bronchodilator category referred to as methylxanthines. Scientists are not quite sure why they work for COPD, but it seems they help strengthen the muscles involved in normal respiration and encourage the airways to relax. Clinical evidence also suggests that medications in this category help prevent spasms of a person’s airways and discourage mucus production. These bronchodilator medications aren't available in inhaler form, so people usually take them orally or as an injection.

Though these medications are effective for COPD, they can cause side effects. Among the most common side effects are coughing, dry mouth, throat irritation, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Some people also experience tremors and anxiety while taking these drugs. Rarely, people have heart attacks or strokes in relation to bronchodilator use, and some people develop an allergic reaction marked by hives, rashes, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing.