When a Simple Medication Change Led to a Serious Skin Reaction
Switching medications is common for people with long-term illnesses. Most of the time, the goal is to improve symptoms or reduce side effects. But sometimes, even a routine adjustment can lead to unexpected problems. That’s exactly what happened to a 55-year-old woman after her doctor changed her inhaler for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A New Plan for Breathing Problems
The patient had a long history of COPD and high blood pressure, both carefully managed with daily medications. Despite treatment, her breathing troubles—wheezing, fatigue, and shortness of breath—were getting worse.
To help her lungs work more efficiently, her doctor prescribed a stronger inhaler combining two medications (indacaterol and glycopyrronium). This type of inhaler is often used when COPD symptoms become harder to control.
A Rash With No Clear Cause
For the first two days on the new inhaler, everything seemed fine. Then red, painful patches suddenly appeared on her face and neck. The skin felt hot and sensitive, and a low-grade fever followed.
She wondered if it was sunburn or an allergy to soap or detergent—but nothing in her routine had changed except the inhaler. As the redness deepened and the pain worsened, she contacted her primary doctor, who quickly referred her to a dermatologist.
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