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Asthma Inhaler Type Could Boost Death Risk
Adding to the ongoing controversy over a popular class
of asthma inhaler medications, a new data review suggests
the drugs may be dangerous.
Compared to placebo, the "long-acting beta-agonist
bronchodilator" inhalers (which include Serevent
and Advair) more than tripled users' risk of asthma-linked
death, according to the report. Risks of hospitalization
and life-threatening complications also went up.
"These agents should not be used," concluded
lead author Dr. Shelley Salpeter, a clinical professor
of medicine at Stanford University and a physician
at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, Calif.
However, another doctor said the drugs are still safe
enough to use -- although they should be prescribed
carefully.
Long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators are designed
to help relax airway muscles and improve breathing.
They include popular medications such as Serevent (salmeterol)
and Advair (which combines salmeterol with a steroid).
The drugs are reportedly expected to gross nearly $7
billion in sales to consumers this year.
Another family of bronchodilators, called inhaled
anticholinergics, are "very safe and effective," Salpeter
said. But long-acting beta-agonist drugs have been
controversial. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
issued a warning that the drugs could worsen symptoms
and even lead to death.
In the new report, Salpeter and colleagues launched
a broad review, or "meta-analysis," examining
the results of 19 asthma drug studies involving nearly
34,000 participants. |