An 87-year-old man with severe COPD (FEV1 25% predicted) and heart failure is reviewed by his GP. He is increasingly breathless at rest despite maximu...

Question

An 87-year-old man with severe COPD (FEV1 25% predicted) and heart failure is reviewed by his GP. He is increasingly breathless at rest despite maximum medical therapy. He asks about managing his breathlessness. He is on long-term oxygen therapy. What pharmacological intervention is MOST effective for managing refractory breathlessness in advanced disease?

Accepted Answer

Low-dose sustained-release Morphine (e.g., 5-10 mg daily)

Answer

Benzodiazepines as first-line

Answer

Inhaled Salbutamol nebulisers on an hourly basis

Answer

High-dose systemic corticosteroids

Answer

Gabapentin

uk-dgm MCQ (SBA): Refractory Breathlessness - Low-Dose Opioids