NPC Archive Item: Combined LABA/ICS may not offer clinically important benefits over LABA alone in COPD, but is associated with serious adverse effects

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. 27 October 2009 A large systematic review found that compared with LABA monotherapy, combined LABA/ICS did not statistically significantly reduce severe exacerbations, all-cause mortality, respiratory mortality or CV mortality, […]

NPC Archive Item: New BTS guidance on management of community acquired pneumonia (CAP)

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. 14 October 2009 The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has published updated guidance on management of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults. This updates the 2004 guidance. What’s new in […]

NPC Archive Item: Meta-analysis suggests budesonide does not increase pneumonia risk in COPD patients

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. 2nd October 2009 This meta-analysis of individual patient data found that budesonide treatment for 12-months does not increase the risk of pneumonia in people with COPD. However, other studies […]

NPC Archive Item: Revised SIGN/BTS British asthma guideline issued

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. 7th July 2009 SIGN and BTS have issued a revised British Guideline on the Management of Asthma. The 2009 update includes revisions to the sections on pharmacological management, acute […]

NPC Archive Item: July Drug Safety Update from MHRA/CHM

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. The Drug Safety Update is an NHS Evidence accredited provider 7th July 2009 The MHRA and CHM have published the July edition of Drug Safety Update. This issue gives […]

NPC Archive Item: Scottish Medicines Consortium reviews fluticasone furoate▼ nasal spray for allergic rhinitis

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. 27th April 2009 The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has accepted fluticasone furoate▼ (Avamys®) for use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis in adults, adolescents […]

NPC Archive Item: MeReC Bulletin on COPD now published

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. 23rd April 2009 This MeReC Bulletin reviews a number of safety concerns which have emerged relating to inhaled treatments for COPD and sets them into the context of their […]

NPC Archive Item: MHRA warns against use of many OTC cough and cold medicines in young children

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. 12th March 2009 In the absence of robust evidence for their effectiveness, and the risk of harm, the MHRA has warned against the use of many commonly used over-the-counter […]

NPC Archive Item: Inhaled corticosteroids don’t affect mortality in COPD, but increase the risk of pneumonia

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis found that while inhaled corticosteroid use in COPD did not significantly affect mortality, there was a significantly increased incidence of pneumonia (NNH=25). Action […]

NPC Archive Item: US Medicines agency could revoke the licences for single-component LABA inhalers in asthma

NOTE – This is an archive post from the NPC and has not been updated since first publication. Therefore, some hyperlinks may no longer be working. An FDA advisory panel has warned against continued use of salmeterol and formoterol for adults, adolescents and children with asthma. This is in view of the evidence for an […]