Being diagnosed and living with COPD can be a difficult process. If someone you know is diagnosed, you probably want to help. Here are some practical ways to help maintain your loved one’s quality of life.
Help them quit smoking
Quitting is the first step recommended by doctors to treat COPD and slow its progression. Even though it can be hard,
having the support of friends or family can make a big difference. For tips on quitting, visit our
Helpful Resources section.
Monitor their medication
It's critical to make sure that your loved one is getting the proper treatment. If you haven’t already, you may want
to inquire with your doctor about whether TUDORZA is right for your loved one. TUDORZA™ PRESSAIR™ is a
prescription medicine used long term, 2 times each day to treat symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. TUDORZA is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating
sudden breathing problems. Your doctor may give you other medicine to use for sudden breathing problems.
It can also help to make sure your loved one is taking his or her medicine as prescribed. Sometimes patients may feel well on a particular day and decide to skip a dose, but it’s important to monitor their intake and ensure they are following their doctor’s instructions. In fact, it can even help to write down some simple directions for them to follow, and to keep their medicine in a convenient, easy-to-reach place.
Remember that this can be hard for them. Offering words of encouragement and staying positive are always important.
Make your home COPD-friendly
Another way to lend support is to make sure the patient’s home is free of common COPD irritants. Try to eliminate things
such as excessive dust, strong chemicals, and fragrant sprays or candles that can cause a COPD flare-up. Keep a humidifier
running so the air stays moist.
You can also consolidate the patient’s most-used items into a place that is easy to reach. This can help minimize trips up and down the stairs, conserving energy and keeping the airways relaxed.
Live your lives
Living with COPD can be hard, but with proper planning and understanding, you and your loved one can still enjoy the world
around you. So don't get discouraged, consult with a doctor and make it a goal to get outdoors, to take a trip somewhere or
to revisit an old hobby. When managing, COPD, the little things can go a long way.
TUDORZA™ PRESSAIR™ is a prescription medicine used long term, 2 times each day to treat symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
TUDORZA is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems. Your doctor may give you other medicine to use for sudden breathing problems.
TUDORZA is not a rescue medication and does not relieve sudden breathing problems. Always have a rescue inhaler medicine with you to treat sudden symptoms.
Before you use TUDORZA, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have eye problems (especially glaucoma), prostate or bladder problems, or problems passing urine. TUDORZA may make these problems worse. You should also let your doctor know if you have a severe allergy to milk proteins.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines and eyedrops. Especially tell your doctor if you take anticholinergics (including tiotropium, ipratropium) and atropine.
Do not use TUDORZA more often than prescribed or take more medicine than prescribed for you.
Seek immediate medical help if your breathing problems worsen with TUDORZA, you need to use your rescue inhaler more often than usual, or your rescue inhaler does not work as well for you.
TUDORZA can cause serious side effects. Stop taking TUDORZA and seek medical help right away if you experience:
The most common side effects of TUDORZA include headache, common cold symptoms, and cough. These are not all the possible side effects with TUDORZA.
Please also see the full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.
