When a Rescue Inhaler Becomes a Warning Sign: Dr. Ferrer Speaks to The Epoch Times

For people living with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a rescue inhaler can provide relief when breathing becomes difficult. But reaching for it more often than usual may be a sign that it’s time to take a closer look at your treatment plan.

Dr. Gustavo Ferrer, Moxie Health Group’s CEO and board-certified pulmonologist, was interviewed by The Epoch Times for its recent article, “Overuse of Inhalers Linked to Heart Attack Risk in Asthma and COPD Patients.” The article examines research linking frequent use of reliever inhalers to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems in people with asthma and COPD.

The findings underscore the importance of paying attention to how often you need quick-relief medication and sharing that information with your healthcare provider. Dr. Ferrer also shared additional advice on recognizing inhaler overuse and improving respiratory care here.

Quick Relief, With a Longer-Term Plan

Rescue inhalers work quickly to open the airways during a flare-up. They remain an essential part of care for many patients. Frequent use, however, can signal that symptoms need more attention.

“Rescue inhalers are essential during flare-ups and can be lifesaving, but repeated reliance on them should be viewed as a warning sign rather than the solution,” Dr. Ferrer, founder of Ferrer Global Corp., said.

The study discussed in the article, published in ERJ Open Research, found an association between reliever inhaler overuse and cardiovascular risk. It does not establish that inhalers alone caused the heart problems. Frequent use can also be a sign that the underlying respiratory condition is poorly controlled.

According to Dr. Ferrer, patients should continue to use their medications as prescribed and speak with their healthcare provider before making changes.

What Happens Between Appointments?

One challenge for clinicians is understanding how patients use their inhalers once they leave the office.

“Clinicians often rely on patient self-report or pharmacy refill data, which do not accurately capture medication adherence, inhaler technique, or rescue inhaler overuse,” Dr. Ferrer said.

That gap can make it harder to recognize a change in a patient’s condition. Dr. Ferrer sees an opportunity for technology to help patients and their care teams identify those changes earlier.

“Smart inhalers, remote patient monitoring, home spirometry, and AI-driven analytics can alert clinicians to increasing rescue medication use, declining adherence to controller therapy, or worsening lung function,” he said.

Monitoring is also a focus of MoxieLink, where the team is developing devices intended to help monitor and address inhaler overuse.

What Patients Can Do

Dr. Ferrer encourages patients to understand the role of each medication in their individual treatment plan and use their inhalers as directed. Some inhalers are prescribed to help control symptoms over time, while others provide quick relief. Treatment plans can differ from patient to patient.

“If you find yourself reaching for your rescue inhaler more frequently, don’t just refill it; contact your healthcare provider because that often means your disease is no longer well controlled,” he said.

He also recommends reviewing inhaler technique regularly, since small errors can affect how much medication reaches the lungs.

“The goal is not only to help you breathe better today but also to protect your lungs—and your overall health—for the future,” Dr. Ferrer said.

For more on the research and Dr. Ferrer’s perspective, read the full article in The Epoch Times.