Just In: FDA Recommends that Foradil and Serevent be stopped
FDA advisers: restrict some asthma drugs
WASHINGTON (AP) - FDA advisers say some long-acting asthma drugs are too risky.
Medical and scientific advisers to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended that Foradil and Serevent no longer be used for asthma. But they spared Advair, the top-selling drug in the group.
All the medications contain an ingredient that relaxes muscles around stressed airways. But that may mask symptoms that can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks. Advair contains a second ingredient that reduces inflammation inside breathing passages and may help patients avoid problems.
The FDA's drug safety experts had recommended restrictions, but its respiratory specialists said none were needed. The FDA usually follows the recommendations of its outside advisers.
X-Posted to asthma_people
WASHINGTON (AP) - FDA advisers say some long-acting asthma drugs are too risky.
Medical and scientific advisers to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended that Foradil and Serevent no longer be used for asthma. But they spared Advair, the top-selling drug in the group.
All the medications contain an ingredient that relaxes muscles around stressed airways. But that may mask symptoms that can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks. Advair contains a second ingredient that reduces inflammation inside breathing passages and may help patients avoid problems.
The FDA's drug safety experts had recommended restrictions, but its respiratory specialists said none were needed. The FDA usually follows the recommendations of its outside advisers.
X-Posted to asthma_people