A study from King’s College London found that off-label prescriptions of the antidepressant mirtazapine for breathlessness in respiratory disease patients do not help and may cause side effects. Using medicines for unlicensed purposes can worsen conditions. Severe breathlessness in chronic respiratory diseases impacts quality of life and healthcare costs, with few treatment options available. Off-label prescribing, common in cases where symptoms cannot be controlled with licensed medicines, requires proper evaluation. The study concluded that mirtazapine is not recommended for breathlessness treatment, highlighting the need for further research into therapies for severe breathlessness. Doctors are advised to use non-pharmacological approaches to manage this symptom.
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Off-label drugs prescribed for breathlessness may do more harm than good, warn scientists
