Asthma UK comment on the US Food and Drug Administration’s decision to toughen the warnings about the proper use of long-acting beta-agonists on the product labels
19 February 2010

Cher Piddock, Clinical Lead at Asthma UK says: ‘We are fully behind the US Food and Drug Administration’s decision to toughen the warnings about the proper use of long-acting beta-agonists on the product labels. These drugs are an established treatment for children and adults with asthma and are safe when used in conjunction with inhaled steroids (preventers). However they can be prescribed as individual inhalers and if not taken together can be harmful. We urge people with asthma to be fully aware of the medicines they are taking and that a ‘combination inhaler’ can be prescribed containing both medicines. For further information call the Asthma UK Adviceline and speak to an asthma nurse on 0800 121 62 44.’