S. No

Class of medication

Action

Generic name of the drug

Ref.

1.

Bronchodilators (Beta2-Agonist)

Increases FEV1 by relaxing the airway smooth muscle. Stimulates beta2-adrenergic receptors to increase cyclic AMP and works against bronchoconstriction.

Formoterol, Salmeterol

[94]

2.

Antimuscarinics

Blocks the effect of acetylcholine on M3 muscarinic receptor against bronchoconstriction of airway smooth muscles

Tiotropium, Umeclidinium

[95]

3.

Methylxanthins

Act as non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor

Theophyllin, Aminophylline

[96]

4.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)

Used to control exacerbations in COPD patients

Fluticasone, Budisonide, Prednisolone

[97]

5.

Combination bronchodilator therapy

Shortacting Beta2-Agonist / short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SABA/SAMA)

Formoterol and tiotropium

[98]

Long acting Beta2-Agonist / long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LABA/LAMA)

Formoterol/aclidinium, Formoterol/glycopyrronium

LABA/ICS

Salmeterol/fluticasone, Formoterol/budesonide

6.

Triple therapy

LABA/LAMA/ICS

Fluticasone/umeclidinium/vilanterol

[99]

7.

Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor

Reduces inflammation by inhibiting the breakdown of intercellular cyclic AMP

Roflumilast

[100]

8.

Antibiotics, mucolytic and antioxidant agents

Targets anti-inflammatory pathways

Azithromycin, Simvastatin, Erdosteine, Carbocysteine, N-acetylcysteine

[101]