First-line treatments for a COPD exacerbation in primary care include increasing the doses or frequency of short-acting bronchodilators, using the same delivery system as usual, such as inhalers, spacers, or nebulizers, depending on the patient's ability and resources available NICE CKS.
If there are no contraindications, consider prescribing a short course of oral corticosteroids, typically 30 mg of prednisolone once daily for 5 days NICE CKS.
Additionally, if the patient has a significant increase in breathlessness that interferes with daily activities, oral corticosteroids should be considered NICE CKS.
Oxygen therapy should be administered cautiously, targeting appropriate saturation levels, and pulse oximetry should be used to guide therapy NICE CKS.