Which medication class is primarily used for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

Bronchodilators are the primary medication class used for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because they work by relaxing the muscles of the airways, which helps to open them up and improve airflow. This is particularly important in COPD, where the airways can become obstructed due to inflammation and mucus production, making it difficult for patients to breathe.

Bronchodilators can be classified into short-acting and long-acting agents. Short-acting bronchodilators are typically used for quick relief during acute episodes of breathlessness, while long-acting bronchodilators are used for maintenance therapy to provide ongoing control of symptoms and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. By improving airflow, bronchodilators significantly enhance patients' quality of life and exercise tolerance.

In contrast, antibiotics are not a primary treatment for COPD unless there is a bacterial infection involved, and diuretics are primarily used for conditions related to fluid overload, such as heart failure. Corticosteroids can play a role in managing inflammation in COPD, but they are usually used in conjunction with bronchodilators and are not the first-line treatments for the condition. Therefore, bronchodilators are the foundational pharmacological therapy for the management of COPD.