Suggest Treatment For Chronic Bronchitis

Posted on Sun, 22 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 22 Jan 2017 Answered on

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have COP (chronic bronchitis) and take a Floven Inhaler twice a day (on puff in the morning, one at night) and that has kept everything under control. 10 days ago I woke up with a cough and a headache. The headache was gone after 3 days, but not the cough. Saw a doc on the 4th day, diagnosis viral infection. Suggestion was to double up on the inhalter for a few days and if no change start taking Prednisone. I am scared to take Prednison, it's a steroid. What, if anything can I do, my cough is still with me?

Answered by Dr. Shashi Dangwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Try deriphylline but if it does not help you will have to take steroids.

Detailed Answer:
Hello xxxxxxxxxxxx,

Thanks for posting your query on HCM.

Any infection can worsen COPD and that's exactly what has happened in your case. The usual line of treatment in such cases is to give a short course of oral steroids. Such a short course usually does not have major side effects.You have already doubled the dose of your inhalers. You may try taking deriphylline 150 mgm twice a day for some time but if that also does not help you will have to take steroids.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad