Managing Asthma and COPD: Breathe Easier with the Right Medications
By: Nadia Ahmed, PharmD & Chronic Care Management Expert
Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are two of the most common lung conditions that affect breathing—and your daily life. The good news? With the right medications and proper management, many people can reduce flare-ups, stay active, and breathe more comfortably.
Asthma vs. COPD: What’s the Difference?
While both affect the lungs, they aren’t the same:
Asthma often starts in childhood and is usually triggered by allergies, exercise, or cold air.
COPD (which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema) usually develops after years of smoking or long-term exposure to lung irritants.
Both conditions involve airway inflammation, making it harder to breathe. But each requires a tailored treatment plan.
Medication Basics: What You Might Be Prescribed
1. Quick-Relief Inhalers (Rescue Inhalers)
Used during flare-ups or when you feel short of breath
| Type | Generic Name | Brand Name(s) | How It Helps |
| Short-Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) | Albuterol | Ventolin HFA, ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA | Works in minutes to relieve wheezing and shortness of breath |
| Levalbuterol | Xopenex HFA | A more selective form of albuterol – may have fewer side effects | |
| Short-Acting Anticholinergic (SAMA) | Ipratropium | Atrovent HFA | Relieves bronchospasm, especially helpful in COPD |
| SABA + SAMA Combo | Albuterol + Ipratropium | Combivent Respimat | Combines two medications for quick and effective relief |
Please note: always carry your rescue inhaler with you.
2. Maintenance Inhalers (Taken Daily)
Reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms. These don’t work right away but keep your lungs stable over time.
Daily Maintenance Inhalers – Breathe Easier Every Day
| Type | Generic Name | Brand Name(s) | How It Helps |
| Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) | Fluticasone propionate | Flovent HFA, Flovent Diskus | Reduces inflammation in airways |
| Budesonide | Pulmicort Flexhaler | Helps prevent asthma attacks | |
| Beclomethasone | QVAR RediHaler | Daily anti-inflammatory control | |
| Mometasone | Asmanex HFA, Asmanex Twisthaler | Long-term asthma control | |
| Long-Acting Beta Agonist (LABA) | Salmeterol | Serevent Diskus | Opens airways for 12+ hours (used with ICS) |
| ICS + LABA (Combo) | Fluticasone + Salmeterol | Advair HFA, Advair Diskus | Controls asthma/COPD symptoms, reduces flares |
| Budesonide + Formoterol | Symbicort | Dual-action daily control | |
| Fluticasone + Vilanterol | Breo Ellipta | Once-daily asthma/COPD maintenance | |
| Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA) | Tiotropium | Spiriva Respimat, Spiriva HandiHaler | Relaxes airway muscles, mainly for COPD |
| Aclidinium | Tudorza Pressair | Improves breathing in COPD | |
| ICS + LABA + LAMA (Triple Therapy) | Fluticasone + Umeclidinium + Vilanterol | Trelegy Ellipta | Once-daily triple therapy for moderate-to-severe COPD or asthma |
3. Oral Medications or Nebulizers
Used for more severe symptoms or when inhalers aren’t enough
| Medication Type | Generic Name | Brand Name | Purpose |
| Oral Steroid | Prednisone | Deltasone (generic) | Reduces airway inflammation |
| Leukotriene Receptor Blocker | Montelukast | Singulair | Prevents asthma & allergy symptoms |
| Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor | Roflumilast | Daliresp | Reduces inflammation in COPD |
Common Nebulizer Medications
| Medication Type | Generic Name | Brand Name | Purpose |
| Short-Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) | Albuterol | Ventolin, ProAir | Quick relief of wheezing or tightness |
| Anticholinergic | Ipratropium bromide | Atrovent | Relieves airway muscle tightening |
| SABA + Anticholinergic | Albuterol + Ipratropium | DuoNeb | Combined quick-relief medication |
| Inhaled Steroid | Budesonide | Pulmicort Respules | Reduces airway inflammation |
| Long-Acting Beta Agonist (LABA) | Arformoterol, Formoterol | Brovana, Perforomist | Maintenance therapy for COPD |
Medication Tips for Better Breathing
Use inhalers exactly as prescribed – even when you feel fine.
Learn proper inhaler technique – Ask your doctor or pharmacist to check your method.
Know your triggers – and use medications before exposure if advised.
Don’t skip maintenance medications – they prevent symptoms from starting.
Watch for side effects – like hoarseness, tremors, or increased heart rate, and report them.
When to Call the Doctor
Let us know if you notice:
Increased shortness of breath or wheezing
Needing your rescue inhaler more often
Cough that won’t go away
Trouble sleeping due to breathing problems
Your treatment plan may need adjusting.
Helpful Tip: Keep a Symptom Diary
Track your symptoms, inhaler use, and flare-up triggers. This can help your doctor fine-tune your medications and prevent ER visits.
We’re Here for You
Managing asthma or COPD doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you need a medication review, an inhaler demo, or help recognizing your triggers— Sensenbrenner Primary Care is here to support your lung health every step of the way.
