Asthma Drug Warning

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.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)