SMART was conducted about 10 years ago, and salmeterol was given to over 13,000 people with asthma. Some of these people were taking other controller medications for asthma; others were only using salmeterol everyday. While salmeterol was found to be safe overall, it appeared to result in more asthma attacks, hospitalizations and asthma deaths in African American people.
When the African American participants in the SMART study were closely evaluated, it was found that they had more severe asthma as a group, yet were less likely to be using inhaled steroids to control their asthma. When those African Americans who were using inhaled steroids were evaluated, those given salmeterol did not seem to have increased problems as a result of its use.
Advair is a combination asthma medication containing both an inhaled steroid and salmeterol. These medicines work very well together and have make a major difference in improving asthma symptoms in people with asthma. It is my opinion that Advair is a safe and effective drug when used appropriately for the treatment of asthma.
Learn more about the risks and benefits of using Advair.
Sources:
Nelson HS, Weiss ST, Bleeker ER, et al. The Salmeterol Multicenter Asthma Research Trial. Chest. 2006;129:15-26.
Nelson HS. Long-Acting Beta-Agonists in Adult Asthma: Evidence that these Drugs are Safe. Primary Respiratory Care Journal. 2006;15:271-77.
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