Warning to anyone who uses an asthma inhaler more than twice a week

Health officials have issued an urgent warning to asthma sufferers with a "blue inhaler"

Medics have warned that some asthma sufferers using blue inhalers could be putting their health at risk.

More than seven million Brits are living with asthma, according to Asthma and Lung UK. An asthma attack – when severe symptoms make it difficult to breathe – can be life-threatening.

There is currently no cure for asthma, but most people can control their symptoms using asthma inhalers and other medicines.

Blue inhalers, also known as "reliever" inhalers, deliver a dose of a short acting bronchodilator medicine that can quickly open the airways to ease symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing, coughing or difficulty breathing.

However, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned that asthma sufferers should not rely on their blue inhaler alone as this could "worsen symptoms" and increase the risk of asthma attacks.

Instead, health officials urge people living with asthma to use their anti-inflammatory "preventer" inhalers – also known as the brown inhaler – regularly, as prescribed.

Asthma sufferers who find themselves needing their blue inhaler more than twice a week are urged to speak to a healthcare professional.

Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, said: "Patient safety is our top priority and we continue to monitor all medicines to ensure their benefits outweigh any risks.

"Patients should use their preventer inhaler as prescribed by their doctor, even if their asthma feels under control. Blue inhalers are important for treating symptoms during an asthma attack, but should not be used as the only treatment to manage asthma."

The warning follows updates to product information and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance for short-acting beta 2 agonists (SABAs), including salbutamol and terbutaline.

Dr Cave added: "We advise patients to speak to a healthcare professional if they find themselves needing their blue inhaler more than twice a week. Preventer inhalers should be taken as prescribed, even when symptoms appear under control.

"If asthma symptoms worsen or are not relieved by their blue inhaler, such as chest tightness, wheezing, coughing or difficulty breathing, patients should seek urgent medical help. Any suspected side effects should be reported through our Yellow Card scheme."

The MHRA has also issued advice for asthma patients, which includes:

• Use your preventer inhaler as prescribed, even if your asthma feels under control and the blue inhaler is rarely or never needed. Without regular use of a preventer inhaler, symptoms could worsen and increase the risk of severe asthma attacks.
• If you have been prescribed a blue inhaler to use during asthma attacks, you should also be prescribed a separate preventer inhaler for daily use.
• Follow your asthma action plan, or speak to your healthcare professional, if you need your blue inhaler more than twice a week – this may indicate your asthma is not well controlled.
• If your blue inhaler does not have a dose counter, manually track the doses used and ensure you always have access to a spare blue inhaler before your current inhaler runs out or expires.
• Seek urgent medical help if your symptoms are not relieved by your blue inhaler, such as chest tightness, wheezing, coughing or difficulty breathing.
• Your healthcare professional can provide advice on recommended alternative or additional treatments (to the blue inhaler) for people over 12 years of age with poorly controlled asthma.

Serious and potentially life-threatening asthma attacks happen when the condition is not well controlled or is more severe. Around four people die every day in the UK because of asthma attacks – and two out of three asthma deaths are preventable, according to Asthma and Lung UK.