To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: AAAAI Releases Position Statement on Salmeterol in Treating Asthma URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/CE82.htm Doctor's Guide October 9, 1996
MILWAUKEE, Oct. 9, 1996 -- In a recently published position statement in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Vol. 98, No. 3, Sept. 1996), the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) has found that salmeterol is safe to use in the treatment of asthma when used properly. Salmeterol (Serevent(R)) is the new longer-acting inhaled Beta-agonist which was approved in 1994 for use in the United States. Soon after its release, reports of sudden severe attacks of asthma or patients found dead holding their salmeterol inhaler have raised concerns that in certain patients under certain conditions, salmeterol might cause sudden worsening of asthma and even death. In the position statement, the AAAAI's Committee on Pharmacotherapeutics concluded that regular use of salmeterol does not lead to deterioration of asthma. The safety conclusion was reached by evidence from controlled clinical studies involving thousands of subjects. The AAAAI recommends that salmeterol should not be considered as a rescue bronchodilator, nor should it be considered as a maintenance antiinflammatory therapy. "Patients on salmeterol should also be on an antiinflammatory drug, with rare exception," said Michael Welch, M.D., Chair of the AAAAI's Committee on Pharmacotherapeutics. "Salmeterol is best classified as a bronchoprotective agent and maintenance bronchodilator. It is useful in preventing exacerbations of asthma caused by bronchoconstrictor stimuli, such as exercise or cold air, and for treatment of nocturnal exacerbations of asthma. Salmeterol is particularly useful because of its long duration of action." The concept of using salmeterol as a single regular medication to control chronic asthma is still not settled. Until further data and experience with single-use therapy are available, the AAAAI recommends that salmeterol not be used in place of antiinflammatory medications, such as inhaled glucocorticoids, cromolyn and nedocromil. Also, salmeterol should not be introduced in the presence of acutely deteriorating asthma (i.e., rapid worsening of asthma over hours or a few days). Several further precautions should be considered with regard to salmeterol use: 1. Because of its slower onset of bronchodilation, salmeterol should not be used as a rescue therapy in place of more rapidly acting medications such as albuterol, terbutaline or pirbuterol. 2. Although patients may feel better with salmeterol, they should be instructed not to stop or reduce antiinflammatory therapy unless so directed by a physician. 3. In patients whose adherence to prescribed medication is questionable, salmeterol should be used cautiously. The patient must be instructed and warned not to rely solely on salmeterol. 4. Until more information is available on the benefits and risks of higher doses of salmeterol, patients should be instructed not to use more than two inhalations twice daily. 5. Health care professionals need to be educated and made aware of the proper use of salmeterol. Similarly, patient education in the correct use of this medication is essential. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is the largest professional medical specialty organization representing allergists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals, and other physicians with a special interest in allergy. The Academy has over 5,000 members in the U.S., its possessions and Canada, and more than 300 members in 41 other countries. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.