Medications to avoid for COPD patients-Lovego Weekly Report

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Medications to avoid for COPD patients

Having COPD means that you have to watch out for any triggers, like environmental pollutants in the home and changes in the weather. But did you know that you also have to use certain medications with caution?

Whenever you take a new medication, be it a prescription drug or an over-the-counter medicine, you first have to check that it doesn’t react with your COPD symptoms. Even simple medications that treat insomnia, treat allergies or suppress coughing can have an effect.

Below are some of these medications that you should use with caution.

1.Antihistamines – These are drugs used for treatment of allergies and itching. Among these are medications like diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), chlorphenamine (Chlortrimeton®), brompheniramine, and clemastine (Travist®). These medications act by drying up secretions in the nose and airways. However, they also cause drowsiness along with a depression in breathing, so these have to be avoided. Some cough and cold medications may also contain these ingredients, so you’ll have to check first before taking any such medications.

2.Antitussives – These are drugs that suppress coughing. Examples of these are dextromethorphan and codeine. Though you may think of them as beneficial, note that coughing has an important role in clearing up your airways and removing phlegm and other secretions. If the coughing reflex is suppressed, airway secretions can make it more difficult to breathe. Additionally, keeping in these secretions can possibly lead to infections like pneumonia.

3.Beta-blockers – These are a group of medications used to treat hypertension and certain heart diseases. They may be harmful for COPD patients because they may interfere with COPD medications like albuterol. They can also cause bronchial spasms, and can severely restrict breathing. Examples of beta-blockers are propranolol (Inderal®) and nadolol (Corgard®), among others. If you are taking these medications, talk to your doctor immediately, but do not stop taking them until your doctor gives you a different medication for your high-blood pressure or heart disease.

4.Diuretics – Diuretics, or water pills, are another group of medications used to treat high-blood pressure, edema and heart failure. Such medications act to promote urination by flushing out water and electrolytes from the body. However, if you have COPD, staying hydrated is essential. Water is needed to thin airway secretions and prevent them from becoming too sticky. Thinner and more fluid secretions are much easier to cough out, so taking diuretics should be avoided. Some medications under this category are furosemide (Lasix®) and Spironolactone (Aldactone®).

5.Opiates and opioids – Drugs like codeine, morphine, hydrocodone (Vicodin®) and hydromorphone (Dilaudid®) are useful in treating pain, especially after surgery. These medications, however, have been known to cause respiratory depression. Using any of these, along with other drugs under the same category, should be avoided in patients with COPD.

6.Other drugs – There are some newer medications that have to be avoided because they have been found to worsen or aggravate COPD symptoms. Among them are abatacept (Orencia®), a drug used for rheumatoid arthritis, and zanamivir (Relenza®), an antiviral drug used to treat certain strains of influenza. These drugs should be avoided since they have been reported to cause bronchospasms and decreased lung function.

Remember to always talk to your doctor or pharmacist whenever you plan to take a new medication or do self-treatment. Avoiding the medications above and asking your doctor or pharmacist for a COPD-safe alternative can significantly help in keeping healthy and preventing any worsening of symptoms. Cheers to staying happy and healthy!

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