Understanding Rescue Oral Steroids for Asthma

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What should a patient know about rescue pack medication?

The patient should be able to differentiate between normal day to day symptoms and when they are beginning to experience an exacerbation4. Patients should be provided with verbal education on the correct use of rescue pack medication and this should be supported with written recommendations from the patient information leaflet.

What is COPD rescue pack medication?

COPD rescue pack medication forms part of an individualised patient ‘self-management plan’, which have been shown to improve quality of life and reduce hospital admissions3. All aspects of COPD management should also be considered when issuing COPD rescue pack medication.

Should I take rescue steroids if my asthma is bad?

If someone’s asthma is bad enough to consider rescue steroids then it is essential that they are assessed by a healthcare professional. All asthmatics should have a personalised asthma action plan that advises them how to spot if their asthma is getting work, what action to take and how to seek help.

How often should COPD rescue pack medication be reviewed?

Patients should be encouraged to complete the COPD Rescue Pack record in the back of the patient information leaflet. Ideally, patients should be reviewed each time COPD rescue pack medication is requested. Review of COPD rescue pack medication should take place regularly and at least at every annual review.

What is a COPD rescue pack?

Your COPD Rescue Pack contains a supply of standby medications to start if your COPD gets worse before you are able to see your GP. Please read this leaflet and keep it with your rescue pack medications. When should I take my COPD Rescue Pack? Only start your rescue pack medication if you are having a flare-up of your COPD.

What should be considered when delivering COPD rescue pack medication?

All aspects of COPD management should also be considered when issuing COPD rescue pack medication. Patients should also be made aware that breathlessness associated with an exacerbation, should initially be managed by increasing the dose of their short acting bronchodilator. Difficult to monitor long term use.

What Is Rescue Oral Steroids

1. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/asthma/prescribing-information/oral-corticosteroids/
2. https://www.pcrs-uk.org/sites/default/files/UseofRescuePacksinCOPD_5_1_2018.pdf
3. https://www.shropshiretelfordandwrekinccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/COPD-rescue-pack-guidance-v2-Feb-2022.pdf
4. https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/symptoms-tests-treatments/treatments/steroids
5. https://remedy.bnssg.icb.nhs.uk/media/6383/copd-rescue-pack-prescriber-guide-v100.pdf
6. https://bswtogether.org.uk/medicines/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/Primary-care-guidance-on-the-Use-of-rescue-packs-in-COPD.pdf
7. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma-medications/art-20045557
8. https://asthma.net/treatment/rescue-medications
9. https://gpni.co.uk/clinical_resources/rescue-packs-of-antibiotics-and-corticosteroids-be-prescribed-for-patients-with-asthma-and-copd-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-advice-for-primary-care/

Rescue Oral Steroids Information

1. https://www.tyntesfield.nhs.uk/_common/getdocument/274335
2. https://www.nottsapc.nhs.uk/media/ecij2tws/copd-emergency-supply-medicines-prescribing-information.pdf
3. https://www.shropshireandtelfordformulary.nhs.uk/docs/20220906%20copd-rescue-pack-patient-information-leaflet-v2.pdf
4. https://northyorkshireccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/NYY-copd-rescue-pack-patient-leaflet-v2.1-Oct-22.pdf
5. https://www.dgsdvhformulary.nhs.uk/media/1071/km-copd-rescue-pack-guidance-final-v-4.pdf