Inhaled corticosteroids: managing side effects Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly prescribed but need careful management to minimise the risk of side effects.…
Increased risk of severe skin reactions with expectorants containing ambroxol or bromhexinePatients taking expectorants containing ambroxol or bromhexine have a small increased risk of severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.…
Mistakes made by patients using medical devices points to need for better trainingA research team sought to identify the factors associated with incorrect use of metered-dose inhalers and epinephrine autoinjectors.…
Oxygen therapy reduces dyspnoea in COPD patients with mild disease Continuous oxygen during exertion, but not short-burst therapy, significantly reduces dyspnoea in patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, researchers find.…
MURs should target patients with cardiovascular disease from January 2015Community pharmacists will be expected to offer medicines use reviews to patients with cardiovascular disease and those who are at risk from 1 January 2015, national negotiators have confirmed.…
GlaxoSmithKline revises colour and labelling of Relvar Ellipta inhaler GlaxoSmithKline is changing the colour of its Relvar Ellipta inhaler from blue to yellow after respiratory health professionals warned that patients could be confused.…
Asthma: long-term management Asthma management is based on a stepwise approach that should see medicines added or stopped based on patient symptoms.…
Asthma: pathophysiology, causes and diagnosis Despite asthma affecting more than 5.4 million people in the UK, there is no gold standard test and diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms.…
Combination inhaler Anoro Ellipta launched for COPD Anoro Ellipta, a novel inhaler containing a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist and a selective long-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, may find a limited place in therapy.…
Paradoxical bronchoconstriction occurs in 5% of COPD patients treated with beta-2-agonists African–American patients with COPD are more likely to be affected by therapy-induced bronchoconstriction, study suggests.…