FDA: Risks Of New Asthma Drugs Vary

[OhioChick]

Source: AP

POSTED: 12:00 pm EST December 8, 2008

WASHINGTON -- The blockbuster asthma drug Advair does not appear to have an increased risk of serious respiratory complications seen with similar new medicines, federal health officials said Friday.

But a less widely used medication, Serevent, had a significantly higher rate of complications when compared to older treatments, the Food and Drug Administration said. Both drugs are made by the same company, GlaxoSmithKline. FDA safety reviewers are recommending that Serevent no longer be approved for treating asthma.

The FDA is concerned about asthma drugs known as LABAs, which already carry warnings. The long-acting medications relax tight muscles around stressed airways and free patients from the need to take a puff from their inhaler every few hours. For many asthma sufferers, that means they can sleep through the night.

But LABAs, for reasons that are still being debated, can increase risks of death and respiratory complications in some patients. The risk may be lower when a LABA is used together with a steroid to treat underlying inflammation deep inside the airways. Current medical guidelines suggest using both kinds of drugs together for patients with chronic asthma who are not responding well to other treatments.

Advair combines both medicines in one inhaler. But Serevent is a LABA-only product.

Read more: http://www.newsnet5.com/health/18227946/detail.html

[Dappleganger]

1. Thank you for posting this

With FIVE asthma people in our family (out of 6) we try our best to keep up with the studies, but sometimes it is hard to find articles which aren't paid for by big pharma!

[eyepaddle]

2. Boy, am I glad to hear that--Advair is almost a miracle edicine.

If one dose would last a lifetie, it would be.

[catgirl]

3. Advair made my asthma worse

It made me lose my voice and have a constant cough. My doctor said these were common
complaints.

[OhioChick]

4. Interesting...

One of my kids had the same problems with it.