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20 August 2012 09:13
The drug could reduce dependence on inhalers, according to researchers
A new drug which suppresses inflammation of the lungs could reduce the number of emergency hospital visits among asthma sufferers by 50%, according to researchers.
Scientists from Leicester University discovered mepolizumab may allow patients with severe asthma to become less dependent on traditional steroid inhalers.
The GlaxoSmithKline-funded study looked at 621 severe asthmatics with signs of eosinophilic inflammation, with the findings reported in The Lancet.
Participants were randomly allocated one of three doses of mepolizumab: 75mg, 250mg, or 750mg, or a placebo on a monthly basis for a year.
Professor Ian Pavord and his team found the treatment could reduce severe asthma attacks and admissions to hospital or A&E by up to 50% when compared with the dummy drug.
Prof Pavord said: "Mepolizumab is potentially an important advance because it seems to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with eosinophilic asthma that is associated with frequent flare-ups, and may reduce the need for conventional treatment with oral corticosteroids that can have serious side effects including osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and impaired growth in children."
The findings come at a time when many people are taking holidays abroad - those of us who suffer from asthma are advised to arrange pre-existing medical travel insurance before jetting off.
Mepolizumab is not yet licensed in Britain.
21 June 2017
Holidaymakers could save themselves money by opting for self-catering breaks this summer, a report has shown.
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20 June 2017
From trips abroad to days out closer to home, the school holidays can be a costly time for families.
17 June 2017
Debit and credit card charges are causing holidaymakers to "waste" more than £100 million each year, a new report has warned.
16 June 2017
Aggressive and potentially lethal prostate cancer could be detected more quickly thanks to a simple blood test, scientists have revealed.
15 June 2017
Many holidaymakers are over-estimating the benefits offered by European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), a new study warns.
14 June 2017
British holidaymakers will benefit from the end of mobile roaming charges this week.
13 June 2017
UK holidaymakers could face higher costs in the months ahead following the collapse in the pound, the owner of a major travel firm has warned.
10 June 2017
Holidaymakers planning trips abroad in the coming days will be monitoring the progress of the pound closely following the surprise general election result.
09 June 2017
Family holidays to traditional hotspots like Menorca and Ibiza could end up costing more than far-flung destinations such as Orlando, Thailand and Bali, surprising new research suggests.
08 June 2017
Two of Europe's major budget airlines enjoyed strong passenger growth last month, as the summer holiday season got under way.
07 June 2017
People could lower their chances of dying from cancer by regularly taking a brisk walk, two new reports have suggested.
06 June 2017
Travel insurance claims worth around £1 million were paid out every day in 2016 on average, new industry data reveals.