Quick-relief drugs for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) work fast to help you breathe better. You take them when you are coughing or wheezing, and you are having trouble breathing.

These drugs are also called "rescue" drugs. These drugs help relax the muscles of your airways.

You and your doctor can make a plan for the quick-relief drugs that work for you. This plan will include when you should take them and how much you should take.

Take enough with you when you travel. Plan ahead. Make sure you do not run out.

Quick-relief Beta-agonist Inhalers

Quick-relief beta-agonists help you breathe better by relaxing the muscles of your airways. They are short-acting, which means they stay in your system only for a short time.

Some people take them just before exercising. Ask your doctor if you should do this.

If you need to use these drugs more than three times a week, or if you use more than one canister a month, your COPD probably is not under control. You should call your doctor.

Kinds of Quick-relief Beta-agonists

Some kinds of quick-relief beta-agonists are:

• Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
• Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel)
• Pirbuterol (Maxair)
• Terbutaline (Brethine, Brethaire, and Bricanyl)
• Bitolterol (Tornalate)
• Levalbuterol (Xopenex)

Side effects might include:

• Anxiety
• Tremor
• Restlessness
• Headache
• Fast or irregular heartbeats. Call your doctor right away if you have this side effect.

Oral Steroids

Oral steroids are drugs you take by mouth, as pills, capsules, or liquids. You use them when you have an asthma attack that is not going away.

Your doctor will tell you how long you need to take these drugs. Most times it will be 3 to 10 days. Sometimes you might have to take them for longer.

Some kinds of oral steroids are:

• Prednisone
• Prednisolone
• Methylprednisolone

Alternate Names

COPD - quick-relief drugs