MHRA reissues LABA advice

27 October 2010

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a reminder to prescribers on the use of long-acting ß2 agonists.

The advice is consistent with the guidelines issued by the British Thoracic Society and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. It reminds prescribers:

To prescribe long-acting β2 agonists (LABAs) only with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and when ICS alone fail to control asthma symptoms.
Not to initiate LABA treatment in patients with rapidly deteriorating asthma.
To use the lowest effective dose, review treatment regularly, and discontinue if there is no benefit.
To consider stepping-down when good long-term asthma control is achieved.
Not to prescribe LABA for exercise-induced asthma without regular ICS (a short-acting β2-agonist should be used instead).
To prescribe combination inhalers when appropriate.