Other COPD Medication Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions Reviewed by Ann Mullen, RN, CNS, AE-C, CDE, TTS, Barry J. Make, MD (January 01, 2018) Daliresp® (roflumilast) This is pill for people with severe COPD to help decrease exacerbations or flare-ups. Steroid Pills Steroid pills are used when you have an exacerbation or flare-up and your symptoms are getting worse. Long-term use of steroid pills can result in serious side effects and are not recommended to treat COPD long-term. Steroid pills include: Deltasone® (prednisone) Medrol® (methylprednisolone) Antibiotics for COPD A bacterial infection can cause worsening of the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Antibiotics (azithromycin) help fight bacterial infections that can occur with COPD, Antibiotics may be used to prevent an exacerbation. Theophylline Theophylline is a pill that may be used to every day to help shortness of breath.