FDA reverses warning on LABA-containing asthma medications
FROM NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
“… Our data provide support for the treatment guidelines of both the Global Initiative for Asthma and the Expert Panel Report 3 of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, which recommend the use of a low-dose glucocorticoid (step 3) and a medium-dose glucocorticoid (step 4), plus a LABA, with the caution that LABAs should not be used as monotherapy in asthma; the convenience and safety of a combination inhaler is a likely plus,” the committee wrote. “Finally, our combined analysis provides strong evidence to support the recent FDA decision to remove the boxed safety warning for combination therapy with a LABA plus an inhaled glucocorticoid for asthma treatment.”
Dr. Busse disclosed financial relationships with a number of pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis, but noted that none of them were relevant to this work.
SOURCE: Busse WW et al. N Engl J Med. 2018;78:2497-505.
