UNDERSTANDING SEVERE COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that makes it hard to empty air out of the lungs, so it's hard to breathe. Many people with COPD can have chronic bronchitis and your doctor will figure out if you have this type of COPD. Your doctor will also tell you the severity of your COPD, which may be mild, moderate, or severe.

If your doctor has told you that you have severe COPD, you may be wondering or worrying about it. The following information may help you understand and manage your COPD.

COPD LEVELS OF SEVERITY

Your doctor will figure out your level of COPD severity based on symptoms, how well your lungs work (lung function), and future risk of flare-ups (exacerbations). Your doctor may tell you that there are different levels or stages of COPD, which include mild, moderate, and severe.

To find out how severe your COPD is, your doctor may ask you to have some tests such as spirometry (spy-ROM-uh-tree). Spirometry is a breathing test that measures how well your lungs work. Your doctor may also assess the risk of COPD flare-ups. The more severe your COPD, the more likely you are to have flare-ups.

You should talk to your doctor about your COPD, and how it affects you.

See Important Safety Information

 

SEVERE COPD AND COPD SYMPTOMS

Coping with COPD can be tough, especially when it is severe. As COPD gets worse, COPD symptoms usually become more severe. COPD symptoms that may occur include:

ONGOING COUGH

SHORTNESS OF BREATH WHILE DOING ACTIVITIES

 

EXCESS MUCUS PRODUCTION

WHEEZING

 
 

See Important Safety Information

 

MANAGING SEVERE COPD

Managing severe COPD will include a treatment plan that helps with different parts of your condition. Your doctor will help to create a treatment plan that meets your needs, which may include any of the following:

QUITTING SMOKING(and avoiding secondhand smoke)

COPD MEDICATION(S)

 

EXERCISE

PULMONARY REHABILITATION

 
 

SCHEDULED VISITS

EDUCATION

 

ACTION PLAN FOR FLARE-UPS

VACCINE(S)

 

OXYGEN THERAPY

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

 
 

As part of their treatment plan, people with severe COPD may also need to see a "pulmonologist" or lung specialist.

If you have severe COPD, your doctor may have prescribed quick-relief medications (called rescue inhalers) that are used for fast relief when symptoms occur, and maintenance medications used every day to help manage your disease. You may also sometimes be prescribed antibiotics, which are used to treat lung infections.

If you experience a flare-up, or a noticeable worsening of your usual breathing problems, you may require treatment with antibiotics, oral steroids and, in some cases, hospitalization.

Once you've had a flare-up, you are more likely to experience another one. If you have severe COPD, treatment with DALIRESP may help reduce your risk of future flare-ups. DALIRESP is not a bronchodilator and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems.

See Important Safety Information

 

COPD FLARE-UPS

What are flare-ups?

Flare-ups are those times when your usual breathing problems become noticeably worse.

Warning signs of a COPD flare-up may include:

INCREASED COUGHING

INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF MUCUS

 

WORSENING SHORTNESS OF BREATH

WHEEZING

 

CHEST TIGHTNESS

 
 

Different things can make a flare-up happen. The most common causes of a flare-up are an infection in your lungs and outdoor pollution. In some cases, the cause of the flare-up is unknown.

Contact your doctor right away if you think you are having a flare-up and make sure to have an action plan. Your doctor may do some tests to assess the severity of your flare-up. In cases of an emergency, call 911.

Why should I care about flare-ups?

Flare-ups can be serious events

If you feel your COPD symptoms getting worse, you shouldn't ignore them. Flare-ups can be serious and may last for days or weeks.

Once you’ve had a flare-up, you are more likely to have another one. So it's important that you try to reduce the number of flare-ups you experience.

If you have severe COPD, DALIRESP may help you to reduce your risk of future flare-ups. DALIRESP is not a bronchodilator and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems.

See Important Safety Information

 

FLARE-UP ACTION PLAN

Watch out for signs and symptoms of COPD flare-ups and take steps to reduce the risk of future flare-ups.

In addition to taking your COPD medicines as directed, these steps can also help.

Be prepared

Make sure your rescue inhaler is not empty. Keep your rescue inhaler, along with important contact numbers, with you at all times.

Recognize the symptoms

Learn to recognize warning signs of a flare-up (see list in COPD FLARE-UPS section).

Get help when necessary

Contact your healthcare professional or, if you feel your flare-up is severe, consider visiting the emergency room (ER) or calling 911.

Avoid getting sick

Get a yearly flu shot, avoid crowds during cold and flu season, and wash your hands often.

DOWNLOAD FULL ACTION PLAN NOW

See Important Safety Information

 

DOCTOR DISCUSSION GUIDE

Talking to your doctor

Talking about COPD isn’t always easy. What would you like to know? What questions do you need to ask? It’s really important to talk to your doctor about your health condition. Being prepared for your visit can help you get the most out of it and allow your doctor to create a treatment plan that works for you.

Here is a simple 3-step guide to help you talk to your doctor.

1. Be Prepared

To help get the most from your visit, keep these tips in mind before your appointment:

  • Think about your severe COPD symptoms—have they changed; are they worse?
  • Write down any concerns you have
  • Discuss them with a friend or family member who may also come with you

2. Ask Questions

Your doctor is your greatest resource, so now is the best time to ask questions. Here are a few ways to start the conversation:

  • How concerned should I be about severe COPD?
  • What does it mean to have severe COPD?
  • What treatments are available that may help reduce the risk of future flare-ups?

3. Set Goals

Stay active, eat right, and quit smoking. These are just a few examples of goals that you might set for yourself to help manage your severe COPD.

Discuss your goals with your doctor at your appointment to make sure that he or she is involved in your overall health plan. Having an open conversation will help ensure that your doctor is part of your health plan.

See Important Safety Information

NEXT: WHY DALIRESP

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about DALIRESP?

DALIRESP can cause serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the symptoms listed below while taking DALIRESP.

  • DALIRESP may cause mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts and behavior. Some people taking DALIRESP may develop mood or behavior problems, including thoughts of suicide or dying, attempt to commit suicide, trouble sleeping (insomnia), new or worse anxiety, new or worse depression, acting on dangerous impulses, or other unusual changes in behavior or mood
  • Weight loss. DALIRESP can cause weight loss. You should check your weight on a regular basis. You will also need to see your healthcare provider regularly to have your weight checked. If you notice that you are losing weight, call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may ask you to stop taking DALIRESP if you lose too much weight

DALIRESP may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how DALIRESP works. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Who should not take DALIRESP?

Do not take DALIRESP if you have certain liver problems. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking DALIRESP if you have liver problems.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking DALIRESP?

Before you take DALIRESP, tell your healthcare provider if you:

  • Have or have had a history of mental health problems, including depression and suicidal behavior
  • Have liver problems
  • Have any other medical conditions
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if DALIRESP will harm your unborn baby
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if DALIRESP passes into your breast milk

What are the most common side effects of DALIRESP?

The most common side effects of DALIRESP include diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, headache, back pain, flu-like symptoms, problems sleeping (insomnia), dizziness, and decreased appetite. These are not all the possible side effects of DALIRESP. Always tell your healthcare provider about any side effects that bother you or don't go away.

INDICATION

DALIRESP is a prescription medicine used in adults with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to decrease the number of flare-ups or the worsening of COPD symptoms (exacerbations). DALIRESP is not a bronchodilator and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems.

DALIRESP 250 mcg is a starting dose for the first 4 weeks only and is not the effective dose.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.

You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca productsaccessobility-icon.