European experts in respiratory care have warned that a class of common asthma medications called long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) drugs can cause severe asthma attacks, and potentially even death.

They have called on the Europe's drug watchdog, the European Medicines Agency, to warn patients of the possible dangers.

Last year, the U.S. FDA also warned that LABA drugs may be connected to asthma-related deaths. A 26,000 person study looking at the effects of the LABA salmeterol found that there were more respiratory-related deaths among patients using salmeterol than those using a placebo.

Some doctors argue that the warnings against the drugs are based on this single study, but even they note that LABAs should never be used on their own, as often happens; they should only be taken in combination with a steroid inhaler.

LABAs include Serevent, salmeterol and formoterol, and work by relaxing the muscles around the airways of the lungs.

Times Online <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2287373,00.html> July 27, 2006

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Late last year, the FDA asked the manufacturers of three common asthma medications -- Advair, Serevent and Foradil -- to include safety warnings about a patient's increased chances of severe and fatal asthma attacks. That toxic trio of beta-agonist drugs has prompted European experts to request the very same warning.

Children make up the bulk of chronic asthma sufferers, and are typically treated with one beta-agonist drug -- the most dangerous possible way to use it.

When the FDA issued their warning, Serevent manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline strongly objected. Of course, this was after they had presented false safety information to the FDA regarding Serevent. Unfortunately, this kind of self-serving behavior that ultimately harms or kills people on the part of drug companies is all too typical. However, the FDA warning has probably had little effect anyway, and a similar measure in Europe is also not likely to halt the use of these deadly drugs; warnings of this nature seldom do any good.

Fortunately, there are safer, natural treatments for your asthma that have nothing to do with taking a toxic drug:

Balance your ratio of omega-3 fats by taking a high quality omega-3 fish or krill oil daily and decrease your level of omega-6 fats so the omega 6:3 ratio improves.

Avoid all processed milk products.

Get moving on an exercise program

Retool your diet to fit the foods your body burns best based on its unique metabolic type .

 

Related Articles:

Tylenol May Cause Asthma

A Natural Treatment For Asthma

Asthma, Steroids, and Growth

 

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