Safety alert
date: 7/26/2006
Asthma drug may increase risks
Long-acting beta-agonist drugs used to control asthma may actually increase the risk of more severe attacks leading to hospitalization and even death. Turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to find out how to control asthma safely and effectively.
If you have moderate-to-severe asthma, don't stop taking long-acting beta-agonists without talking to your doctor. Consult ConsumerReportsHealth.org and your doctor to discover treatments for asthma that work well.
A commonly prescribed class of asthma medication may increase the risk of asthma-related hospitalization and death, according to two studies published in June and July 2006.
Long-acting beta-agonist drugs (LABAs)—such as Foradil and Serevent—are used to decrease the frequency of asthma attacks. Unlike inhaled steroids, which reduce lung inflammation, LABAs relax muscles around the airways. Some drugs, like Advair, combine a LABA with a steroid.
LABA use decreases the number of attacks overall, but may increase the chances of more severe attacks. Researchers reviewed 19 randomized, controlled trials involving 33,826 asthmatics and found that while death from asthma was rare, the risk of hospitalization and death increased in those using LABAs. A separate analysis of 22 trials involving 15,276 patients, which compared LABAs with anticholinergics, another commonly used class of asthma drugs, found a twofold increase of death risk among LABA users.
Previous studies linking LABA use to asthma-related death prompted the Food and Drug Administration to call for stronger warnings in November 2005. It recommends LABAs only for people with moderate to severe asthma whose disease is not adequately controlled by other drugs, including inhaled steroids.
While investigators have recommended that the drugs be pulled from the market, some doctors say there are instances where the benefits outweigh the risks. Do not stop taking the drug without seeing your doctor first—that could worsen your condition. For more on asthma medications, see our Best Buy Drug Report at www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org.
Long-acting beta-agonist drugs (LABAs)—such as Foradil and Serevent—are used to decrease the frequency of asthma attacks. Unlike inhaled steroids, which reduce lung inflammation, LABAs relax muscles around the airways. Some drugs, like Advair, combine a LABA with a steroid.
LABA use decreases the number of attacks overall, but may increase the chances of more severe attacks. Researchers reviewed 19 randomized, controlled trials involving 33,826 asthmatics and found that while death from asthma was rare, the risk of hospitalization and death increased in those using LABAs. A separate analysis of 22 trials involving 15,276 patients, which compared LABAs with anticholinergics, another commonly used class of asthma drugs, found a twofold increase of death risk among LABA users.
Previous studies linking LABA use to asthma-related death prompted the Food and Drug Administration to call for stronger warnings in November 2005. It recommends LABAs only for people with moderate to severe asthma whose disease is not adequately controlled by other drugs, including inhaled steroids.
While investigators have recommended that the drugs be pulled from the market, some doctors say there are instances where the benefits outweigh the risks. Do not stop taking the drug without seeing your doctor first—that could worsen your condition. For more on asthma medications, see our Best Buy Drug Report at www.CRBestBuyDrugs.org.
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