Over One Million UK Asthma Patients Now Use Combination Inhalers

Britain has seen a change in asthma management, with over one million patients now using combination inhalers instead of traditional blue reliever devices. This marks the first time users of the newer inhalers have outnumbered those relying on blue ones.

The transition follows 2024 guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which recommended combination inhalers as the preferred option. Combination inhalers work by preventing symptoms and offering immediate relief. In contrast, traditional blue inhalers provide temporary relief but can worsen the condition when overused, according to medical professionals.

Nearly half of those using blue inhalers received more than two prescriptions in the 2024/25 period, a level often seen as indicating overuse.

Lee Newton-Proctor, a 41-year-old asthma patient, switched to a combination inhaler after living with the condition since childhood. He had 18 hospital admissions by his late thirties and used up to 18 blue inhalers annually. After the switch, he reported no longer feeling limited by asthma and being able to engage in activities freely, with reduced work absences.

Amina al-Yassin, a GP and clinical lead for children and young people's services at Brent Integrated Care Partnership, stated that blue inhalers offer brief relief but are likely to make asthma worse over time. She added that seeing a blue inhaler used alone is now considered a sign of potential risk.

Donna Peat, an advanced respiratory practitioner at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, described the move from short-acting beta-agonists to anti-inflammatory therapy as a guideline update with significant benefits. Sunil Gupta, GP clinical adviser at NICE, said the guideline represents a turning point for asthma care in England and noted that over a million people using the new inhalers is encouraging.

According to NICE calculations, for every 10,000 patients switching to combination inhalers, there would be 1,133 fewer GP appointments, 144 fewer A&E visits, and 80 fewer hospital admissions each year. These reductions could provide substantial benefits to the NHS.

Emma Rubach, head of health advice at Asthma + Lung UK, stated that patients needing their reliever inhaler three or more times weekly may face a higher risk of a life-threatening attack and should seek a medication review. The organization emphasizes prompt reviews for those showing signs of overuse.