Asthma is a disease that affects the respiratory systems of millions of people throughout the United States.  This potentially deadly condition causes inflammation and irritation in the bronchi, the airways that lead to the lungs.   This irritation causes them to constrict and tighten, which can prevent air from reaching the lungs.  Common symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, chest pains and tightness, and severe and uncontrollable coughing fits.

Metered Dose Inhalers for asthma:

In order to combat and prevent asthma attacks, asthma victims use Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) to restore proper lung function.  Asthma victims inhale pressurized solutions of medicine to reopen bronchial passages and restore proper respiration. Victims often know when they are going to have an attack, which is why most asthma inhalers are prescribed.  Unfortunately, asthma inhalers containing the drugs Advair and Servent are accused of triggering severe asthma attacks that resulted in the deaths of some users. 

Asthma Drugs:

Advair is a combination of two drugs called fluticasone and salmeterol that are supposed to help prevent asthma attacks.  17 million people use the Advair long-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, which generated $4 billion dollars in revenue between January and September 2005.  In August 2003 the Food and Drug Administration ordered GlaxoSmithKline to include a Black Box warning on the packaging for Advair to advise patients about the potential risks of the drug.

The drug history of dangerous inhalers does not end with Advair.  A similar drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline called Serevent has also been linked to a number of deaths.  In fact, in 2005 the FDA called Serevent one of the top five most dangerous prescription medications in the United States.  During a 28 week study conducted in 1996, researchers reported 36 deaths due to asthma and asthma-related complications caused by reactions to salmeterol, the active ingredient in Serevent.  Advair and Servent are also accused of triggering deadly asthma attacks, but yet most patients are unaware of the dangers of these devices.

Less dangerous side effects of asthma drugs Advair and Serevent include:

• Upper respiratory infections like bronchitis
• Choughing
• Sinus problems
• Nausea
• Gastrointestinal discomfort and pain
• Headaches
• Oral fungal infections

The latest news surrounding Advair and Serevent reflects the potential danger of these common medical devices.  In fact, researchers at Cornell and Stanford universities discovered that almost 80% of all the deaths caused by asthma inhalers are caused by inhalers containing salmeterol or formoterol.  There are approximately 5,000 asthma-related deaths each year, but experts believe that 4,000 of these deaths are due to beta-agonists like Serevent and Advair.  Furthermore, older people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represented a six fold increase in the number of fatalities caused by inhalers containing salmeterol.

Asthma injury lawyer and attorney help:

If you or someone you know suffered the ill effects of Serevent or Advair, you need to contact a dedicated and experienced asthma attorney immediately.  You could be entitled to financial compensation for your pain and suffering, but if you wait too long the statute of limitations in your state could prevent you from getting the restitution owed to you.  Let a dedicated and experienced asthma injury attorney help you get the justice you deserve.  Consult an asthma injury lawyer today.