Advair Lawsuit
If you have suffered a personal injury as a result of the dangerous drug Advair, you may be eligble for compensation and should contact an attorney who specializes in product liability litigation and dangerous drug litigation against pharmaceutical companies. Advair Diskus and is used long-term, twice-a-day, to control symptoms of asthma in adults and children ages 4 and older. Advair HFA is used long-term, twice-a-day, to control symptoms of asthma in adolescents and adults 12 years of age and older. Advair Diskus and Advair HFA may worsen your breathing problems and their active ingredients, such as salmeterol and formoterol, may increase the chance of asthma death in some people. Studies completed by Cornell and Stanford university researches have concluded that four out of five asthma related deaths in the United States are potentially related to these products and others like them such as Foradil and Serevent, based on a statistical analysis of 19 published trials involving 33,826 patients.
Other possible side effects with Advair Diskus and Advair HFA include:
- immune system effects and a higher chance of infections
- lower bone mineral density. This may be a problem for people who already have a higher chance of low bone density (osteoporosis)
- eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts. You should have regular eye exams while using Advair
- slowed growth in children
- increased blood pressure
- fast and irregular heartbeat
- allergic reactions including, rash, hives, and swelling of the face, mouth, and tongue
- headache
- tremor
- nervousness
- throat irritation
Asthma Inhaler History
On November 18, 2005, FDA alerted health care professionals and patients that several long-acting bronchodilator medicines have been associated with possible increased risk of worsening wheezing (bronchospasm) in some people, and requested that manufacturers update warnings in their existing product labeling. This information has now been included in updated labeling.
On March 2, 2006, FDA approved new safety labeling and Medication Guides for patients for Serevent Diskus (salmeterol xinafoate) and Advair Diskus (fluticasone propionate; salmeterol xinafoate). On June 19, 2006, FDA approved new safety labeling and a Medication Guide for patients for Foradil (formoterol fumarate), and also approved Advair HFA. Symbicort Inhalation Aerosol (budesonide; formoterol fumarate dihydrate) was approved on July 21, 2006. Perforomist Inhalation Solution (formoterol fumarate) was approved May 11, 2007.
March 5, 2008 Update: On November 28, 2007, a Pediatric Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting was held. At this meeting, FDA raised concerns about the safety of long-acting beta2 adrenergic agonists (LABAs) in pediatric patients with asthma. The PAC has agreed with an FDA recommendation to continue assessment of the risks of LABAs and seek advice from a future advisory committee.
In January, 2008 FDA requested manufacturers of Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Brovana Inhalation Solution, Foradil Aerolizer, Perforomist Inhalation Solution, Serevent Diskus, and Symbicort Inhalation Aerosol to provide information regarding controlled clinical studies conducted with these products in order to further evaluate the safety of LABAs when treating asthma.
The manufacturers have indicated it will take several months to submit the requested information. Following review of this information, FDA plans to bring the issue of the benefit/risk assessment of LABAs in adults and children to an advisory committee in the fall or winter of 2008.
