Reassurance over asthma medicines
28 July 2006

New comments in the press on results from a 2003 US clinical trial into long-acting reliever inhalers have caused concern for people with asthma, but Asthma UK has stressed the importance of continuing to take medicines as prescribed.

The comments are based on research conducted in 2003 into long-acting reliever inhalers, examples of these include salmeterol (Serevent) and formoterol (Oxis, Atimos). In the UK they should not be prescribed on their own but should be taken in conjunction with an inhaled steroid preventer.

Long-acting relievers are prescribed if asthma symptoms are not adequately controlled by an inhaled steroid preventer. They work by opening up the airways for a longer time, whereas steroid preventers tackle the inflammation and stop them being so sensitive, reducing the risk of an asthma attack.

The national press have just picked up on the US study through a recent research article and have highlighted part of the findings which showed a slight increase in asthma attacks and deaths in people with asthma being treated with salmeterol, especially among African Americans and those not taking inhaled steroids.

‘The article referred to by the press is a comment and not another study,’ said Professor Martyn Partridge, Asthma UK’s Chief Medical Advisor. ‘Such multiple reanalyses of already published data gives the impression of new studies all showing the same thing, which is not actually what is happening.’

Healthcare professionals have already pointed out that the concerns surrounding long-acting relievers are based on a single study and that the recent repeated warnings give the impression there is a growing body of evidence against the medicines.

‘The recent coverage of this old research has been very confusing and inaccurate,’ explained Karen Newell, an asthma nurse specialist on the Asthma UK Adviceline. ‘We understand that people with asthma are very concerned but they should not stop taking their medicines.

Karen continued: ‘At the time of the study the guidelines for prescribing long-acting relievers in the US were different to the UK, in that, they could be prescribed as a stand-alone treatment. Long-acting relievers should only be prescribed as an ‘add-on therapy’ in combination with a steroid preventer, or as a combination inhaler containing both. If you have any concerns about your asthma medicines you should make an appointment with your doctor or asthma nurse.’