Main Treatments Based on Underlying Causes
If the underlying medical cause of the breathlessness is known, doctors will prescribe a specific class of primary medication:
| Underlying Cause | Primary Pharmaceutical Remedy | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Asthma / COPD | Bronchodilators (to open airways) and Inhaled Corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation). | Albuterol, Salmeterol, Fluticasone. |
| Congestive Heart Failure / Fluid Overload | Diuretics (to flush excess fluid out of the body and lungs). | Furosemide (Lasix). |
| Pneumonia / Bacterial Lung Infection | Antibiotics or antimicrobials (to clear the infection). | Amoxicillin, Azithromycin. |
| Anxiety-Induced Dyspnea | Anxiolytics (to calm the nervous system and relax breathing). | Lorazepam (Ativan), Alprazolam (Xanax). |
| Blood Clots (Pulmonary Embolism) | Anticoagulants (blood thinners). | Heparin, Apixaban (Eliquis). |