COPD Treatment & Medications

Can COPD be cured?

There is currently no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but treatments are available to slow its progression, manage symptoms, and reduce exacerbation risk.1,2

Medications for COPD

COPD medications alleviate symptoms and improve lung function, often combining quick-relief and long-acting treatments.3

Inhalers
Oral medication
Non-drug interventions
New and emerging treatments

References

  1. World Health Organization. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-%28copd%29. Accessed on February 2025.
  2. Miravitlles M, et al. Respir Res 2016;17(1):112.
  3. American Lung Association. Understanding Your COPD Medications. Available at: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/treating/copd-medications. Accessed on February 2025.
  4. Cleveland Clinic. Bronchodilator. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17575-bronchodilator. Accessed on February 2025.
  5. Wang J, et al. J Clin Pharm Ther 2012;37(2):204–211.
  6. NHS. Steroid inhalers. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/steroid-inhalers/. Accessed on February 2025.
  7. Tidy C. Mucolytics. Available at: https://patient.info/chest-lungs/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-leaflet/mucolytics. Accessed on February 2025.
  8. NHS. Treatment - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/treatment/. Accessed on February 2025.
  9. Asthma + Lung UK. Steroids. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/symptoms-tests-treatments/treatments/steroids. Accessed on February 2025.
  10. Bathoorn E, et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2008;3(2):217–229.
  11. Feldman C, Richards G. F1000Res 2018;7(F1000 Faculty Rev)1121.
  12. Safka KA, McIvor RA. Ulster Med J 2015;84(1):13–21.
  13. American Lung Association. Benefits of Quitting. Available at: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/i-want-to-quit/benefits-of-quitting. Accessed on February 2025.
  14. Cleveland Clinic. Oxygen Therapy Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23194-oxygen-therapy. Accessed on February 2025.
  15. NHLBI, NIH. Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pulmonary-rehabilitation. Accessed on February 2025.
  16. American Lung Association. Surgery for COPD. Available at: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/treating/surgery#. Accessed on February 2025.
  17. Vu SP, et al. Int J Mol Sci 2025;26(5):2184.
  18. Pavord ID. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018;141(6):1983–1991.
  19. Singh PV, et al. Cureus 2023;15(8):e44498.

The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.

MAT-SG-2500116-v.10-Apr 2025