Medications in form of Inhalants
The medication administered to emphysema patients is called bronchodilators [4]. Owing to the progressive damage on the air sacs, lungs, and other organs. Bronchodilators improve breathing by relaxing the bronchial muscles to increase airflow. This medication is available as an inhaler (metered dose and powder). Nebulizer machines can also be used to convert the liquid form of bronchodilators to aerosol.
There are fast-acting and short-acting bronchodilators. The first acts fast but the effect is for a short time, and the latter acts slowly but the effect could last you a long time. People with a mild level of emphysema may be recommended short-acting bronchodilators during their flare-ups. There are two forms of bronchodilators which are anticholinergics and beta-agonists. The first stops the muscle around your airways from tightening while the latter relaxes muscles around your airways.
Another effective medication that works for treating emphysema is steroids. Particularly, corticosteroids [5] can be administered in inhalers. This medication reduces inflammation to improve airflow. It is also used for asthma patients and patients with allergies. Some inhalers [6] combine both corticosteroids and bronchodilators to improve the treatment of emphysema. Steroids could have side effects [7] like diabetes, weakened bones amongst others in the long run.