Pharmacological therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are diseases that cause progressive obstruction of the airways. Their global impact is in part due to the prevalence of smoking and the high rate of morbidity and mortality. The pharmacological aim of therapy is to reduce the rate of exacerbations and thus slow the progression of these diseases. In this article, the nature of the diseases is explored as well as the treatment options available and potential future treatments.