Introduction: Persistent breathlessness is a debilitating symptom that is prevalent in the community, particularly in people with chronic and life-limiting illnesses. Treatment includes different steps, including pharmacological treatment aiming to improve the symptom and optimize people’s wellbeing. Areas covered: PubMed and Google Scholar were screened using ‘chronic breathlessness’ OR ‘persistent breathlessness,’ AND ‘pharmacological treatment,’ OR ‘opioids.’ This review focuses on pharmacological treatments to reduce persistent breathlessness and discusses possible mechan...