title: Pharmacologic therapy for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a review.
abstract: This article reviews available data on the drug therapy armamentarium for the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Summaries of studies and therapeutic issues for bronchodilators, antibiotic therapy, corticosteroid use, and a few miscellaneous agents are presented. Many controversies exist in the criteria defining the acute exacerbation, in defining appropriate outcome parameters for assessment, and, consequently, in developing specific consistent recommendations for drug therapy. Five published guidelines assist the clinician in therapeutic drug management of the acute exacerbation of COPD, and each differs in its recommendations for drug therapy prescription. The article includes synopses for drug therapy recommendations from the guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Medical Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, PO Box 800674, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0674, USA. rhh2p@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca Haynes
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Hockman
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014970:Xanthines / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine