Looking for COPD relief? Try the top anticholinergics for COPD can help! COPD is a terrible condition for many patients. Usually caused by smoking, once you develop COPD, it tends to control your life. COPD produces a variety of unpleasant symptoms like uncontrollable coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and phlegm among other things that can prevent you from engaging in the activities you love, and doing things with the people that you love. But with the right treatment, you can improve your quality of life. Anticholinergics are among the most effective treatments for COPD symptoms while producing minimal side effects. If you are looking for the most effective COPD treatment, check out these most frequently asked questions about the top anticholinergics for COPD.
Essentially, anticholinergic drugs reduce inflammation caused by COPD. Anticholinergics work to block neurotransmitters in the central and peripheral nervous system, helping to relax the muscles surrounding your airways. This allows your airways to open up so that air can more easily pass through - meaning you can breathe easier.
Anyone can take anticholinergics provided they have no allergies to them. Anticholinergics offer relief for a variety of COPD patients throughout the day. However, not all patients will respond equally to treatment, so it may need to be used in combination with other medications or replaced with something else if they are not responding. At the very least, you will likely need a short-acting inhaler in cases of respiratory emergency.
The top anticholinergics for COPD include Spiriva Respimat, Incruse Ellipta and Atrovent. These medications can provide effective results for the long-term, providing COPD relief throughout the day. These are among the most popular COPD treatment with good reason. Ask your doctor about any of these options.
Spiriva Respimat contains Tiotropium Bromide that can be used regularly to treat COPD symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. It should be taken twice daily at around the same time per day. However, it should never be taken more than twice per day.
Incruse Ellipta contains Umeclidinium, another chemical that can help provide COPD symptom relief. Unlike other anticholinergics, Incruse Ellipta only needs to be taken once daily, so it is easier to remember, but it should be taken around the same time each day.
Atrovent HFA contains a drug called Ipratropium that works to relax the airways of the respiratory system to relieve symptoms in COPD patients. It can be taken four times per day which means while it may provide faster relief, the effects do not last as long.
It is important that when taking anticholinergics that you take them regularly as directed. Missing doses is not good because the medication needs to be taken consistently to provide relief. It will not produce instant effects.
You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that most anticholinergics do not produce many unpleasant side effects like many other medications do. Side effects induced by Spiriva and Incruse Ellipta include dry mouth and dizziness. Atrovent also causes these side effects, but may also cause stomach problems like constipation and nausea.