Other drug therapies
Vaccinations
All patients with COPD should be given annual influenza vaccinations as this can reduce serious illness by 50%. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is also recommended for patients > 65 years old.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin augmentation therapy
This is only recommended for young patients with severe hereditary alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and established emphysema.
Antibiotics
There is no current evidence that the use of antibiotics, other than for treating infectious exacerbations of COPD and other bacterial infections is useful.
Reference
-
Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease: Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD.
2010.
www.goldcopd.org