FDA Warns Against Sole Use of Long-Acting Beta Agonists in Asthma
from Medscape
Long-acting beta agonists should not be used alone in asthma, the FDA warns. The drugs at issue include the single-agent LABAs Serevent and Foradil.
Because LABAs have been associated with severe worsening of symptoms, the agency is requiring that labels carry the following guidance:
- LABAs are contraindicated without the use of a controller medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
- Long-term use is only indicated for patients whose disease doesn’t respond to controller medications.
- LABAs should be used for the shortest period possible.
- To ensure compliance, children and adolescents should only use LABAs that contain an inhaled corticosteroid.
The recommendations do not apply to use of LABAs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
LINK:
FDA Announces New Safety Controls for LABAS
AAAAI: What do you do now? Use of LABAS in light of the recent FDA decision
