Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD is a disease that makes it hard to breathe. It's the result of permanent damage to the lungs, most often caused by smoking. Secondhand smoke, air pollution, and chemical fumes can also contribute to COPD.
1 There is no cure for COPD, but there are medications like
ProAir® HFA that can help patients breathe so they can perform their usual daily activities.
COPD reduces air flow in the lungs:
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
People with COPD have a hard time catching their breath and tend to get tired easily. Other
COPD symptoms include wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe) and a chronic cough that may produce a lot of mucus (smoker's cough).
2 Most importantly, COPD can keep people from performing even basic physical activities like walking.
3 Take our
COPD symptoms checklist to see if you or someone you know may have symptoms of COPD.
The symptoms of COPD can be caused by a condition you may have heard of, called
emphysema, or another condition,
chronic bronchitis. Most people with COPD have both conditions.
3
You can learn more by watching our
video about COPD, or by downloading our brochure about
Living with COPD.
References
- What causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_Causes.html [Accessed June 1, 2010].
- COPD—signs and symptoms. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_SignsAndSymptoms.html [Accessed June 1, 2010].
- What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html [Accessed June 1, 2010].
ProAir
® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir
® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir
® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.
What to tell your doctor before using ProAir
® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Side effects associated with ProAir
® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.