Apart from the medications prescribed by a medical practitioner, no over-the-counter drug is advised for treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Oxygen therapy has seen some advancement. It will be prescribed with a flow rate mentioned in liters per minute. It can be used in gas cylinders that are handy to carry or as a liquid form in vessel with very cool liquid that gets converted to gas on exposure. Oxygen concentrator is an electrically operated apparatus that takes out O2 from atmosphere, concentrates it and stores it. It is economic but requires its own power supply.
Another technique for treating COPD is to clear the chest using physiotherapy. Steam is inhaled followed by some vibration/shaking and single-hand clapping on chest wall to loosen the secretions. This is then followed by deep breathing (sniffing action by nose to inhale and ballooning by mouth to exhale passively) and coughing voluntarily. Deep inhalation is required for coughing. Secretions are taken out and deep breathing follows.