Convincing patients to use smarter, greener inhalers for asthma management

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PHARMACOTHERAPY

Convincing patients to use smarter, greener inhalers for asthma management

21 July 2021

By Linda Bryant

Wednesday 21 July 2021, 12:20 AM

John says he needs his blue inhaler to help him breathe better when playing rugby

With the cold blast of winter, there is the usual rush of people with asthma wanting their inhalers. It is also a good time to review asthma control and discuss the suitability of the relatively new approach to managing mild asthma

Linda Bryant

This article has been endorsed by the RNZCGP and has been approved for up to 0.25 CME credits for the General Practice Educational Programme and conti, Educate small, BACK panel - grey

Respiratory Health

Medicines and Therapies

References

Beasley R, Beckert L, Fingleton J, et al. Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ adolescent and adult asthma guidelines 2020: a quick reference guide. NZ Med J 2020;133(1517):73–99.

Reddel HK, FitzGerald JM, Bateman ED, et al. GINA 2019: a fundamental change in asthma management: Treatment of asthma with short-acting bronchodilators alone is no longer recommended for adults and adolescents. Eur Respir J 2019;53(6):1901046.

Bryant L, Bang C, Chew C, et al. Adequacy of inhaler technique used by people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Prim Health Care 2013;5(3):191–98.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Patient decision aid: Inhalers for asthma. May 2019. https://bit.ly/2Ek0CPo

How to Treat

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COPD: Prevent, treat and comfort

Respiratory physician Lutz Beckert considers chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management, including the prevention of COPD, the importance of smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation, and the lifesaving potential of addressing treatable traits. He also discusses the logic of inhaler therapy, moving from single therapy to dual and triple therapy when indicated, as well as other aspects of management

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