Advair and Serevent May Increase the Risk of Asthma Related Death

Advair is a commonly prescribed medication for asthma. When your doctor recommends it, it sounds like a fairly harmless addition to your asthma treatment. If you were to review the Physician’s Desk Reference (or “PDR” as it is commonly called), what you would read is very alarming. That Advair increases the risk of “asthma related death”.

Advair contains two compounds: a corticosteroid, fluticasone propionate; and a long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonist (LABA), salmeterol. LABAs prevent the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation of airways in the lungs.

In 2006, an article published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that the regular use of LABAs can increase the severity of an asthma attack. Studies found that patients taking Serevent were four times more likely to suffer an asthma-related death. Others showed that Serevent and Foradil increased asthma exacerbation and hospitalizations in both adults and children. Researchers estimated that salmeterol may contribute to as many as 5,000 asthma-related deaths in the United States each year. Studies prompted the FDA to tag Advair with a “block boc” warning – the agency’s highest caution level.

A report prepared by the FDA indicated that both Serevent and Advair can have rare but deadly side-effects when used in children.

It is important to know that Advair is NOT your only option, no matter what your doctor tells you. Considering that Serevent and Advair are the second best-selling medications in the world, with sales of more than $6 BILLION, no wonder it is so heavily pushed. I highly recommend seeking a second opinion from someone that looks at you as a whole being and not just a pair of lungs and who does NOT have monetary ties to pushing dangerous medications.

Like to read the news release from webmd.com about the dangers of Advair and Serevent?  CLICK HERE!