Treatment of Stable COPD

I. Introduction The medications used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are reviewed in detail in other chapters in this volume (chaps. 6 and 7). Effective management of the patient with COPD, however, requires implementation of an overall disease management strategy that integrates these medications with nonpharmacologic interventions as well as the treatment of concurrent conditions, which are frequently present in COPD patients. Currently available medications that treat COPD can improve patient well-being and prognosis in important ways. Unfortunately, the available therapies are often underused and when prescribed are often not used in ways that optimize their effectiveness. The current chapter will review the strategies of COPD management.