FDA Announces Label Changes for Asthma Medications: Serevent and Foradil

Due to risks including severe exacerbation of asthma symptoms, the FDA recently announced label changes intend to promote safe use of two long-acting beta agonists (LABA) approved for asthma, salmeterol (Serevent) and formoterol (Foradil). Labels will be changed to require that the drugs always be used in combination with an asthma controller medication such as an inhaled corticosteroid. Additional precautions include:

LABAs should only be used long-term in patients with asthma not adequately controlled with inhaled steroids or other controller medications.
The agents should be used for the shortest time possible to achieve symptom control. Once patients are no longer experiencing symptoms, LABAs should be discontinued if possible with patients maintained on controller medications alone.
Children and adolescents needing a LABA should use a combination product that also contains an inhaled steroid to ensure compliance with both medications.

About the Author

Tom D'Amore is the founder of D'Amore Law Group and a trial attorney with over 30 years of experience representing injured people and their families across the West Coast, securing more than $325 million in recoveries. He handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, construction injuries, medical malpractice, and sexual abuse. Licensed in Oregon, Washington, and California, Tom is the only NBTA board-certified truck accident attorney in Oregon. He is a national Board of Governors member, past Executive Committee member, and past Budget and Audit Chair of the American Association for Justice, as well as past President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice.