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The latest COPD guidance is here

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Staying up to date can be a challenge

The 2025 GOLD Report brought some updates. However, it also reaffirmed that GOLD & NICE align on initial maintenance therapy for COPD patients limited by symptoms: LAMA/LABA is recommended.1,2

GOLD and NICE recommend classes of medicines, not individual products

GOLD: limited by symptoms defined as mMRC ≥2, CAT ≥10 and 0-1 moderate exacerbation (not leading to hospital admission). NICE: patients should not have asthmatic features or features of steroid responsiveness.
LAMA/LABAs are licensed in the UK as maintenance bronchodilator treatments to relieve symptoms in adult COPD patients.
LAMA/LABAs are not licensed in the UK to treat or reduce the risk of exacerbations.

Why is this update important?

GOLD recommend classes of medicines, not individual products

Older-Man-And-Younger-Woman-With-Umbrellas

LAMA/LABA combinations have a greater impact on patient-reported outcomes compared to monotherapies1

In studies where patient-reported outcomes are the primary endpoint or in pooled analyses1

Older-Man-With-Headphones

GOLD recommends that mono-bronchodilation, such as LAMA, is reserved for COPD patients with low symptom scores1

Low symptom scores defined as: mMRC 0-1, CAT<10 and 0-1 moderate exacerbation not requiring hospitalisation. For patients already taking mono- bronchodilation, GOLD suggests that it is acceptable to continue if their symptoms are under control.

LAMAs are licensed in the UK as maintenance bronchodilator treatments to relieve symptoms in adult COPD patients. LAMAs are not licensed in the UK to treat or reduce the risk of exacerbations.

What does this mean for your newly diagnosed symptomatic COPD patients?

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Applying the guidance to your daily practice

INITIAL MAINTENANCE THERAPY

GOLD & NICE recommendations for COPD patients limited by symptoms

Adapted visual shows only GOLD group B and NICE guidance for patients with no asthmatic features or features suggesting steroid responsiveness

GOLD and NICE recommend classes of medicines, not specific products

Before starting inhaled therapy GOLD and NICE recommend considering non-pharmacological approaches, such as smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation etc. A short-acting bronchodilator is recommended by GOLD and NICE for additional immediate symptom relief, if needed.

Please refer to individual SmPCs before prescribing

LAMA/LABAs are licensed in the UK as maintenance bronchodilator treatments to relieve symptoms in adult COPD patients.
LAMA/LABAs are not licensed in the UK to treat or reduce the risk of exacerbations.

CAT, COPD Assessment Test; mMRC Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale; LABA, long-acting beta-agonist; LAMA, long-acting muscarinic antagonist; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid

GSK-adapted from © 2025 Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD. All rights reserved. Use is by express license from the owner.
GSK-adapted from © NICE 2019. COPD in over 16s: diagnosis and management. Available from www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng115. All rights reserved. Subject Notice of rights. NICE guidance is prepared for the National Health Service in England. All NICE guidance is subject to regular review and may be updated or withdrawn. NICE accepts no responsibility for the use of its content in this material.

Does your prescribing align with the latest recommendations?

Abbreviations

CAT, COPD Assessment Test; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; GOLD, Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease: HCP. healthcare professional: IMT. initial maintenance therapy: LABA. long-acting beta agonist: LAMA. long-acting muscarinic antagonist; mMRC, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale; NICE, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: QOL, quality Of life 

ANORO ELLIPTA (umeclidinium/vilanterol) indicated as a maintenance treatment to relieve symptoms in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Click here for Anoro Ellipta prescribing information. 

RELVAR ELLIPTA (92 micrograms fluticasone furoate and 22 micrograms vilanterol) is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a FEV1 <70% predicted normal (post-bronchodilator) and an exacerbation history, despite regular bronchodilator therapy. 

Click here for Relvar Ellipta prescribing information.

SERETIDE 500 Accuhaler (50 micrograms salmeterol and 500 micrograms fluticasone propionate) is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of patients with COPD with a FEV1 <60% predicted normal (pre-bronchodilator) and a history of repeated exacerbations, who have significant symptoms despite regular bronchodilator therapy. 

Click here for Seretide 500 Accuhaler Prescribing Information. 

INCRUSE ELLIPTA (umeclidinium bromide) is indicated as a maintenance bronchodilator treatment to relieve symptoms in adults with COPD. Click here for Incruse Ellipta prescribing information.

References

  1. GOLD. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD. 2025 Report.
  2. COPD in over 16s: diagnosis and management NICE guideline [NG115]. Last updated: July 2019.

Adverse events should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Adverse events should also be reported to GSK on 0800 221 441 or UKSafety@gsk.com

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© 2025 GSK Group of Companies or its licensor. Anoro and Relvar Ellipta were developed on collaboration with INNOVIVA. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

June 2025 | PM-GB-UCV-WCNT-250002 (V1.0)