Pharmacy
About Your Medicines
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Aim of treatment
To reduce the symptoms of breathlessness
To reduce the frequency and severity of any irritation
To improve exercise tolerance (allow normal day to day activity without becoming
breathless)
Know your medicines
All medicines have two names: a ‘trade or brand’ name and a ‘proper or generic’ name.
For example:
Panadol (brand) = paracetamol (generic)
Ventolin (brand) = salbutamol (generic)
Always carry a list of your prescribed or bought medicines, including any herbal remedies with
you. If possible always visit the same chemist to buy your medicines from or dispense your
prescription.
What is prescribed?
Medicine is tailored to your individual needs and responses to medication.
‘Relievers’ – Bronchodilators
These relax the muscles in the airways to keep them as wide as possible and help reduce the
symptoms of breathlessness. Patients may benefit from using these when required or on a
more regular basis i.e. salbutamol, terbutaline, ipratropium.
Salbutamol
Salbutamol is first line treatment and is fast acting.
Side effects may include: tremors, headache, irregular heartbeat, anxiety.
Alternative: terbutaline
If you need this information in another format or language 01536 492510
Further information about the Trust is available on the following websites:
KGH - www.kgh.nhs.uk | NHS Choices - www.nhs.uk
Ref: PI.185 April 2014
Review: January 2016
Ipratropium
Ipratropium is used with salbutamol; it works in a different way to help
your breathing.
Side effects may include: dry mouth, constipation, headaches.
‘Preventers’ - Long-acting bronchodilators
These reduce the need for having to use shortacting agents regularly. They are used daily as a
preventative measure.
They are not suitable for an acute attack ie
salmeterol (Serevent), tiotropium (Spiriva).
‘Preventers’ - Steroid inhalers
Steroids reduce swelling (inflammation) in the airways and improve airflow into the lungs.
Usually given if you have 2 or more attacks in 12 months requiring steroid tablets and
antibiotics. Not everyone may see benefit from steroid inhalers, therefore, treatment is only
continued if appropriate, ie beclometasone (Qvar or Clenil Modulite), fluticasone, budesonide.
Use preventers regularly, twice a day. Using a reliever such as salbutamol before the steroid
will allow more preventer to reach into the airways.
Side effects may include sore mouth and hoarse voice; this is avoided by rinsing your mouth out
after use or using a spacer device.
Combination inhalers
These inhalers contain a long-acting bronchodilator + steroid.
Seretide = salmeterol + fluticasone
Symbicort = formeterol + budesonide
The aim of these inhalers are to reduce the frequency and
severity of breathlessness.
Types of inhaler
There are many types of inhaler ranging from the aerosol type, ‘spray’ dose to the ‘dry powder
inhalers’ where the dose is inhaled from within the inhaler on breathing in.
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If you find the device you are using difficult to use, discuss this with your doctor or nurse who
may be able to find a more suitable inhaler to allow you to get maximum benefit from treatment.
Spacer devices
Spacer devices may help you use your inhaler more
effectively, enabling more medicine to be delivered into
your lungs. They are used with the aerosol containing
inhalers.
Only use one puff at a time in a spacer device. Ask a
nurse or pharmacist to show you how to use your
inhaler if you are unsure.
Keep the spacer device clean by washing in warm,
soapy water and allow to drip dry.
Nebuliser solutions
These are solutions of the medicines used in the nebuliser to produce a fine mist which is then
inhaled via a mask or a mouthpiece. They allow a much higher dose to be given.
Steroid tablets (prednisolone)
These reduce inflammation in the airways. Usually taken for 5-10 days but sometimes taken
over a long term period. You should take all tablets together as a single dose after breakfast.
Side effects include thinning of bones, thinning of skin, increased appetite and indigestion.
Theophyllines
These are tablets are used to open up the airways. It is important to stick to the same brand as
there may be differences in the amount of medicine that gets absorbed. Side effects may
include stomach upset, nausea, irregular heartbeat and blood tests may be required in order to
check levels in the blood. The tablets release the medicine slowly through the day so it is
important to swallow the tablets whole.
Sputum thinners (mucolytics)
Carbocisteine (Mucodyne) helps to reduce sputum thickness and facilitates its removal from the
lungs. May be used short or long term.
Vaccines
Ensure you get the annual influenza vaccine and pneumonia vaccine from your GP.
Smoking cessation
The best way to improve symptoms of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is to
give up smoking. There are a number of products available to help with the process. You can
discuss options with your GP or contact the Northamptonshire Stop Smoking Service on 
0845 601 3116.
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Contact Information
If you need any further advice or information contained in this leaflet, please contact the
Pharmacy Department on:
Tel: 01536 492057
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