Various popular inhaled asthma medications, like Advair and Synbicort, have been in the news lately.
The problem is that when used alone, long acting beta agonists (LABAs) may be associated with asthma-related deaths, but when combined with an inhaled steroid, it appears safe and effective.
Internist Matthew Mintz summarizes the current data surrounding the issue, and makes some predictions as to how the FDA will act.
Are the safety concerns surrounding combined LABA/steroid inhalers overblown? Dr. Mintz thinks so, and hopes that the FDA would consider a modified warning on these two drugs.