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Making Sense Out of COPD Inhalers
A List of the Most Popular COPD Inhalers

By Deborah Leader, RN, About.com

Updated March 20, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

COPD inhalers are commonplace in the treatment of COPD. But, understanding which-is-which and what-does-what can sometimes be confusing.

COPD inhalers can contain either a single medication or a combination of medications in one inhaler such as a bronchodilator, a corticosteroid, a combination of bronchodilators or a combination of bronchodilator and corticosteroid.

To follow is a list of the most common COPD inhalers on the market today:

1. Advair

Advair is a combination of two medications -- fluticasone, a corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a long-acting, beta-agonist bronchodilator. Advair is used for maintenance treatment of COPD.

Learn more about the different types of bronchodilators. Discover the pros and cons of corticosteroids as treatment for COPD.

2. Symbicort

Originally used for the treatment of asthma, Symbicort was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in February 2009, for maintenance treatment of COPD. Symbicort contains formotorol, a long-acting, beta-agonist bronchodilator, and budesonide, a corticosteroid. Read more about the FDA Approval of Symbicort for COPD.

3. Combivent

Combivent contains two bronchodilators -- albuterol (a beta agonist) and ipratropium, an anticholinergic. Combination bronchodilator inhalers like Combivent, may help increase the bronchodilator effect of the medications, with the same or less side effects. Learn more about anticholinergic bronchodilators.

4. Pulmicort

Pulmicort contains budesonide, a corticosteroid which helps reduce inflammation in the airways, making it easier to breathe. Pulmicort is used in maintenance treatment of COPD. Learn more about Pulmicort.

5. Spiriva

Used as maintenance treatment for COPD, Spiriva contains a medication called tiotropium, an anticholinergic bronchodilator. It opens and relaxes the airways, making it easier to breathe. Find out more about how Spiriva helps the COPD patient.

6. Proventil

Proventil is a rescue inhaler containing albuterol, a short-acting, beta-agonist bronchodilator which helps immediately relax the airways, making it easier to breathe. Proventil is often used for sudden episodes of shortness of breath related to bronchospasm in both asthma and COPD patients. Learn more about Proventil.

7. Atrovent

Atrovent contains ipratropium, an anticholinergic bronchodilator. It is used as maintenance treatment of COPD. Learn more about Atrovent.
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