Servent Increases Asthma Attacks

Serevent

Serevent is an inhaled bronchodilator used for treating the patients suffering from asthma. However, users of Serevent are at a higher risk of asthma episodes when using salmeterol. GlaxoSmithKline manufactures it. Problem takes place when Serevent forces airways to slacken, then contract. Due to the contraction of airways, it becomes difficult to breathe. According to a test, patients taking Serevent were at a higher risk of dying due to asthma attack then the patients taking placebo medications.

Salmeterol xinafoate inhalation powder, commonly known as Serevent, a long acting bronchodilator and is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Servent is prescribed for the patients suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

FDA warned the doctors and patients about the harmful effects of few long-acting bronchodilator medicines on November 18, 2005. One of these medicines was Servent, which may cause risk of wheezing in people. Moreover, FDA asked the manufacturers of these medications to update the product labels with new guidelines and warnings. These guidelines alert the doctors and patients that such medicine increases the risks of severe asthma in patients. This Public Health Advisory was updated on May 15 , 2006.

Servent and such other medicines belong to the class called – “long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonists” (LABAs). Such bronchodilator medicine relaxes the muscle around the airways in the lung. Due to the tightening of the airways muscle wheezing occurs in the patient. Consumption of these medicines brings down the frequency of asthma episodes. However, it may worsen the asthma episodes when they happen.

For the patients consuming Serevent Diskus and Advair Diskus , new medication guidelines and labeling were approved by FDA on March 2 ,2006. Warning on the black box cautioned the patients that salmeterol increases the risk of asthma. Salmeterol is a key ingredient in such medicines.

Following is the information given by the FDAs  Public Health and Advisory about the usage of LABA medications for asthma patients :

Patients should restrict the use of LABA for treating the wheezing that is getting worse.

Patients suffering from asthma should not use LABA as the first medicine in the treatment. Rather it should be added to treat the patients of asthma only if other medicines fail to control it.

Do not stop using LABA or other Asthma medicines without consulting health care professional.

According to a study conducted on asthma patient a large no. of people taking LABA medication along with their usual medicines died as compared to the patients consuming placebo along with asthma medicines. As per the FDA recommendations, Servent should be consumed as an additional medicine to treat asthma.