Comments on: Advair and Other LABA’s Under Scrutiny (Again) http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/ Raising a breathless kid, traveling, and other adventures a mile high. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:14:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Asthma Mom » Biggest Asthma Stories of 2008 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-2078 Asthma Mom » Biggest Asthma Stories of 2008 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:40:40 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-2078 [...] Safety of Long-Acting Beta Agonists Drugs like Advair were under scrutiny pretty much all year, with the debate coming down to whether the possible serious side effects are worth the very real benefits of the medicine. As it stands now, the FDA is pulling none of them off the market (for any age group), but its drug safety division doesn’t want any of them marketed for children. [...] [...] Safety of Long-Acting Beta Agonists Drugs like Advair were under scrutiny pretty much all year, with the debate coming down to whether the possible serious side effects are worth the very real benefits of the medicine. As it stands now, the FDA is pulling none of them off the market (for any age group), but its drug safety division doesn’t want any of them marketed for children. [...]

]]> By: Asthma Mom » A Christmas Birthday Story http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1586 Asthma Mom » A Christmas Birthday Story Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:55:27 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1586 [...] talking about AG’s Steadfast Sidekick who, as you may recall, turns seven this Saturday and had her party over a week [...] [...] talking about AG’s Steadfast Sidekick who, as you may recall, turns seven this Saturday and had her party over a week [...]

]]> By: Amy http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1574 Amy Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:53:02 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1574 Hey, thanks ;) Don't know if you've stayed up-to-date on the topic, but you can read more recent news and a link to the FDA's decision <a href="http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/12/friday-links-fda-advair-update-secondhand-smoke-boys-clean-air-act/" rel="nofollow">here.</a> The short version: Advair's not getting pulled off the market, and Serevent and Foradil are riskier. Hey, thanks ;)

Don’t know if you’ve stayed up-to-date on the topic, but you can read more recent news and a link to the FDA’s decision here.

The short version: Advair’s not getting pulled off the market, and Serevent and Foradil are riskier.

]]> By: Allison http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1572 Allison Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:48:23 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1572 I just discovered your site and LOVE it. My five year old son takes Advair for his moderate persistent asthma. He was on flovent last year with little success -- and several courses of prednisone as a result. Advair has been just amazing. I'm fairly terrified by the possible DEATH side effect, but equally scared of what would happen if it wasn't available for him anymore. I wonder how many FDA investigators give Advair to their kids? I just discovered your site and LOVE it. My five year old son takes Advair for his moderate persistent asthma. He was on flovent last year with little success — and several courses of prednisone as a result. Advair has been just amazing. I’m fairly terrified by the possible DEATH side effect, but equally scared of what would happen if it wasn’t available for him anymore. I wonder how many FDA investigators give Advair to their kids?

]]> By: Amy http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1549 Amy Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:52:28 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1549 Stephen-- Thanks for your doubly-valuable input as a patient <i>and</i> former RT. I always hesitate to weigh in on meds my kid hasn't used. Lora-- Welcome to the site, and thanks for your insightful comment--esp. re: Advair and the discussion groups. Are you using Alvesco exclusively since it's just an inhaled corticosteroid and not a combination inhaler like Advair? I hope it works well for you, either way. Stephen–
Thanks for your doubly-valuable input as a patient and former RT. I always hesitate to weigh in on meds my kid hasn’t used.

Lora–
Welcome to the site, and thanks for your insightful comment–esp. re: Advair and the discussion groups.

Are you using Alvesco exclusively since it’s just an inhaled corticosteroid and not a combination inhaler like Advair?

I hope it works well for you, either way.

]]> By: Lora http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1543 Lora Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:53:18 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1543 My Physicians have been monkeying around with Advair, Singular, and Spiriva for 6 mos now. My asthma is pretty much induced by allergens as most peoples are, stress plays a factor also. I have had no problems with Spiriva inhaled, but major problems with Advair, Thrush being a major player and harming my vocal cords being minor to the medication made my chest tighten rather than open up. Three different physcians are involved in my treatment, Cardio/ Pulmonary, ENT and my Primary, each takes me off then puts me back on the Advair, until I finally told them enough... we tried the non powedered inhaler of Advair, same result. I am now trying out Alvesco, something new and a different medication than the Adviar, This we recently Jan. 08 approved by the FDA... but in so much as the screen by the FDA has become so much less intense in hopes of getting medications out there to help... I still am crossing my fingers on this one.. that at some point they won't find the need to Black Box it... and it will be what all asmatics hope for.... one medication.... no more fears. I am going to add that recently I was involved in blind discussion groups involving asthma. In the sessions I attended. Advair seemed to be constantly brought up as a drug creating problems from increased heart rate, and blood pressure, to my problems with getting a full breath and the tight feeling in the lungs which restricted my breathing. In a group of 16, I was the only member still on Advair at that time, all but two had been prescribed the medication and it had been removed from their treatment. My Physicians have been monkeying around with Advair, Singular, and Spiriva for 6 mos now. My asthma is pretty much induced by allergens as most peoples are, stress plays a factor also. I have had no problems with Spiriva inhaled, but major problems with Advair, Thrush being a major player and harming my vocal cords being minor to the medication made my chest tighten rather than open up. Three different physcians are involved in my treatment, Cardio/ Pulmonary, ENT and my Primary, each takes me off then puts me back on the Advair, until I finally told them enough… we tried the non powedered inhaler of Advair, same result. I am now trying out Alvesco, something new and a different medication than the Adviar, This we recently Jan. 08 approved by the FDA… but in so much as the screen by the FDA has become so much less intense in hopes of getting medications out there to help… I still am crossing my fingers on this one.. that at some point they won’t find the need to Black Box it… and it will be what all asmatics hope for…. one medication…. no more fears.

I am going to add that recently I was involved in blind discussion groups involving asthma. In the sessions I attended. Advair seemed to be constantly brought up as a drug creating problems from increased heart rate, and blood pressure, to my problems with getting a full breath and the tight feeling in the lungs which restricted my breathing. In a group of 16, I was the only member still on Advair at that time, all but two had been prescribed the medication and it had been removed from their treatment.

]]> By: Stephen http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1542 Stephen Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:56:15 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1542 I have to agree with George & wheezy, it's the improper use of the LABA's that causes most of the problems. These LABA's are much more potent than the short acting beta agonists , so of course if take too much you're asking for trouble. I have to agree with George & wheezy, it’s the improper use of the LABA’s that causes most of the problems.

These LABA’s are much more potent than the short acting beta agonists , so of course if take too much you’re asking for trouble.

]]> By: Amy http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1541 Amy Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:06:03 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1541 LOL...no problem. It sounds like you have a good observation/dosage schedule going and I know there are lots of patients and parents like you. And really--what's the alternative for patients that can't attain good control otherwise? Prednisone, as you mentioned, carries all sorts of nasty side effects I think we're all a little too familiar with. And I really don't think anyone wants to go back to the days of theophylline. I'm glad it's working for your daughter--hopefully this will just result in stronger warnings and/or stricter prescribing guidelines. LOL…no problem. It sounds like you have a good observation/dosage schedule going and I know there are lots of patients and parents like you. And really–what’s the alternative for patients that can’t attain good control otherwise? Prednisone, as you mentioned, carries all sorts of nasty side effects I think we’re all a little too familiar with.

And I really don’t think anyone wants to go back to the days of theophylline.

I’m glad it’s working for your daughter–hopefully this will just result in stronger warnings and/or stricter prescribing guidelines.

]]> By: love-reflected http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1540 love-reflected Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:08:37 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1540 Cripes, I responded on the wrong post: My mom mentioned something about this yesterday, but I just now was able to get on the computer and saw your post about it. For us this is a huge issue. Alorah is going to be 7 next month. She failed pulmicort, she failed Flovent, she is now on Advair 250/50-her asthma IS that bad. She went from blowing 150’s on her peak flow to 240. She has not needed her albuterol in 2 weeks. For us we have seen a HUGE improvement in a) her energy b) her lung function and c) her flares. There is no doubt it is working. After she had 3 attacks in three weeks all needing 4-6 days of Pediapred (and all the risks that med carries with it) and doing Flovent for 2 months and having another major flare we have finally found something that works. I give it to her an hour before she goes to school so I can watch her. I give it to her at least an hour, sometimes 2, before bed so I can watch her. So far, so good. I honest to goodness do not know what we will do if they pull this med for kids. She was on the verge of ending up in the hospital in September, now she can run and play like a normal kiddo, no albuterol. I will be on pins and needles until we get the decision of the board. I’m glad they are being cautious but I am absolutely freaked out about going through another trial with med after med to find something else that works…. Cripes, I responded on the wrong post:

My mom mentioned something about this yesterday, but I just now was able to get on the computer and saw your post about it. For us this is a huge issue. Alorah is going to be 7 next month. She failed pulmicort, she failed Flovent, she is now on Advair 250/50-her asthma IS that bad. She went from blowing 150’s on her peak flow to 240. She has not needed her albuterol in 2 weeks. For us we have seen a HUGE improvement in a) her energy b) her lung function and c) her flares. There is no doubt it is working. After she had 3 attacks in three weeks all needing 4-6 days of Pediapred (and all the risks that med carries with it) and doing Flovent for 2 months and having another major flare we have finally found something that works. I give it to her an hour before she goes to school so I can watch her. I give it to her at least an hour, sometimes 2, before bed so I can watch her. So far, so good. I honest to goodness do not know what we will do if they pull this med for kids. She was on the verge of ending up in the hospital in September, now she can run and play like a normal kiddo, no albuterol. I will be on pins and needles until we get the decision of the board. I’m glad they are being cautious but I am absolutely freaked out about going through another trial with med after med to find something else that works….

]]> By: Amy http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/comment-page-1/#comment-1539 Amy Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:43:52 +0000 http://www.theasthmamom.com/2008/12/08/advair-and-under-labas-under-scrutiny-again/#comment-1539 GandW, Completely agree with you about needing to read the information and follow dr's. insturctions, but I think the medical community, too, needs to make sure they're telling parents and patients when that information changes. Also, just wanted to clarify that my post isn't claiming to know the problems behind LABA's but offering up the current theories instead. Asthmagirl, This absolutely needs to be resolved soon--all the news/opinions floating around right now are confusing, to say the very least. I can't imagine these will be taken off the market because of the lack of alternatives for COPD patients and severe asthmatics. I wonder how I'd feel if my kid was using one of these inhalers right now? Advair wasn't approved for kids aged 4 to 11 until AG was 5--I'm fairly certain she would have been prescribed it otherwise. GandW,
Completely agree with you about needing to read the information and follow dr’s. insturctions, but I think the medical community, too, needs to make sure they’re telling parents and patients when that information changes. Also, just wanted to clarify that my post isn’t claiming to know the problems behind LABA’s but offering up the current theories instead.

Asthmagirl,
This absolutely needs to be resolved soon–all the news/opinions floating around right now are confusing, to say the very least. I can’t imagine these will be taken off the market because of the lack of alternatives for COPD patients and severe asthmatics. I wonder how I’d feel if my kid was using one of these inhalers right now? Advair wasn’t approved for kids aged 4 to 11 until AG was 5–I’m fairly certain she would have been prescribed it otherwise.

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