Asthma Drugs Could Cause Sudden Fatal Asthma Attacks

If you have asthma, you should be checking your labels and possibly limiting your prescription use, especially in particular combinations. The FDA has issued warnings that people with asthma should not use the medications Foradil and Serevent alone, and the usage of Symbicort and Advair in combination with each other should be limited. The reason is that these medications contain what is known as LABAs (long-acting beta agonists), which have been linked to sudden, and sometimes fatal, asthma attacks. While children are at a higher risk for these attacks, the FDA is warning that adults are at risk as well.

Why are LABAs used to treat asthma when they could potentially exacerbate attacks and cause death? When used properly, LABAs can help people who have COPD (a lung condition) or asthma to breathe more easily. They are also useful in the treatment of exercise-induced asthma attacks. People with asthma usually take LABAs via nebulizer or inhaler, and this helps airway muscles relax, allowing air to flow more easily in and out of the lungs. Effects of LABAs are also long lasting, continuing in the neighborhood of 12 hours. Furthermore, the FDA believes that the benefits of LABAs in helping to relieve asthma symptoms outweigh possible risks, when used properly.

To be on the safe side, take note of these recommendations by the Food and Drug Administration:

• Use single-ingredient asthma products that contain LABAs only when combined with asthma controller medicines; never use them alone. These include products such as Serevent® (generic: salmeterol) or Foradil® (generic: formoterol).
• Do not use combination medications Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol) and Advair (fluticasone and salmeterol).
• If LABAs are necessary to treat asthma, use them temporarily for the shortest period possible.

Additionally, if you are using a product that contains LABAs, read the Medication Guide, talk to your health care provider about warning signs of exacerbated asthma as well as any other questions you might have.

April 9, 2010 in FDA Recalls Tags: drug warning letters fda

Michael Monheit is the managing lawyer at Monheit Law, outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has practiced law since 1989. Michael Monheit was the managing attorney of the law offices of Herbert Monheit — now Silverman and Fodera — a firm... Michael Monheit→