Asthma

New inhaler standards endorsed by RPS

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has endorsed a new set of inhaler standards developed by the UK Inhaler Group (UKIG) — a coalition of not-for-profit organisations and professional societies with a common interest in promoting the correct use of inhaled therapies. The standards have…

Highlights from the 6th Medicines Safety Conference in Wales

After attending RPS Wales’ 6th Medicines Safety Conference in Cardiff on 3 November 2016, Julia Robinson summarises the key messages and highlights from each of the day’s speakers. …

Heartburn drug use during pregnancy associated with asthma in children

A new study shows that children born to women who take heartburn medicines when pregnant are at least a third more likely to develop asthma symptoms compared with non-users, but scientists say more research is needed to confirm whether there are any other reasons behind the possible link.…

Fish oil supplement in pregnancy cuts child asthma risk

Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements during pregnancy may protect against asthma in children, results from a study suggest.…

Patients need training to use inhalers properly, study finds

Ellipta inhaler device comes out on top in GSK-sponsored research comparing several types of inhaler devices and their misuse among COPD and asthma patients.…

Dangers with inappropriate use of long-acting beta agonists

Caution is required when prescribing or dispensing long-acting beta agonists to manage airways diseases, such as asthma.…

NICE recommends first asthma treatment to target eosinophils

Mepolizumab has been recommended as an add-on injectable treatment for severe refractory eosinophilic asthma in adults.…

Paracetamol does not worsen lung function of children with asthma

When used during respiratory illness in children, paracetamol is not associated with a higher risk of asthma exacerbations than ibuprofen.…

Long-acting beta-agonist combination therapy not linked with serious asthma events

A study of asthma patients found that the combination treatment budesonide/formoterol and budesonide alone produced a similar number of serious asthma-related events.…

Vitamin D reduces the rate of severe asthma attacks

Vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks by over a third, a systematic review has found. …