Stopping COPD inhalers can lead to higher risk of flare-ups for 3 months
Stopping long-acting inhalers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to a sharp rise in flare-ups for about three months, a new study has revealed. This research by The University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) scientists is the first of its kind to show people who stop using a prescribed treatment for COPD are at significantly higher risk of exacerbations than expected for their disease.
COPD is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a common condition, affecting about 1 in 20 people aged over 40 in England, and is a major cause of death and disability.
People with COPD often experience “exacerbations”—sudden flare-ups of breathlessness and coughing that make their condition much worse. These exacerbations are a leading cause of emergency hospital admissions.
Treatment for COPD can help slow the progression of the condition, control symptoms and prevent flare-ups. This includes taking inhalers which deliver medicine into the lungs to help make breathing easier.
