The first new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years is a drug already available—and it’s 4x more effective than steroid tablets.

Treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which contributed to Sinead O'Connor's death last year, has been "stuck in the 20th century." But no longer, says Dr. Sanjay Ramakrishnan of the University of Western Australia,

The study, called the ABRA trial, was led by King’s College London researchers and published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. It found that Benralizumab reduced the need for further treatment in COPD patients by 30%. This is a big improvement compared to the current treatment, which relies on steroid tablets like prednisolone.

The study demonstrated that asthma treatment is safe, with no significant side effects compared to past studies of the drug.

Doctors are hailing a new way to treat serious asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks that marks the first breakthrough for 50 years and could be a “gamechanger” for patients.

Researchers say they have found the first new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years. The injection dampens part of the immune system that can go into overdrive in flare-ups of both asthma and a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

An injection given during some asthma and COPD attacks is more effective than the current treatment of steroid tablets, reducing the need for further treatment by 30%.

It is already used as a recurring treatment for severe asthma in low doses. However, the trial found that a single higher dose could be extremely effective if given during an attack. "This could be a gamechanger for people with asthma and COPD,

A new treatment for asthma and COPD attacks could revolutionise patient care, scientists say. An injection given during attacks is more effective than the current steroid tablet treatment, reducing the need for further care by 30%.