March 2010
FDA's new recommendations on asthma medication
Tuberculosis prevention programs expanding
State Advocacy Day recap
Get Involved: United for Lung Health
FDA's new recommendations on asthma medication
Feb. 19, 2010, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released new regulations that state long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) should not be used alone in the treatment of asthma; they must be used in combination with asthma controller medicines.
This recommendation is particularly important for people with asthma who may be prescribed LABAs as part of their medication plan. To help you understand how the new annoucement may affect you, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago has prepared a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the FDA announcement.
What are LABAs?
Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) are a type of drug that relaxes the muscle bands around the airways, which allows you to breathe in and out more easily. They are usually effective for up to 12 hours.
LABAs include the single agent products Serevent® and Foradil® and combination medications Advair® and Symbicort®.
How are they used?
People with chronic lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are sometimes prescribed LABAs as part of their regular medication plan.
What is the FDA recommending?
The FDA stated that LABAs should never be used alone in the treatment of asthma; they must be used in combination with asthma controller medicines.
LABAs can still be used in a number of instances, including:
- When they are used with an asthma controller medicine such as an inhaled corticosteroid. This includes single-agent and combination products.
- When they are used for the shortest possible time to control asthma. (Use should be discontinued when asthma symptoms are controlled on an asthma controller medicine.)
- In pediatric and adolescent patients in a combination product that includes an inhaled corticosteroid and LABA.
- When asthma controller medicines alone do not control symptoms.
This recommendation is based on recent studies that reported an increased risk of asthma exacerbations, which led to hospitalizations and deaths among people who are only taking LABA medications.
I’m currently taking one of these drugs. Should I stop taking it?
You should never stop taking a prescribed medication without talking with your health care provider first. Your provider can talk with you about your specific symptoms and medical needs, and he or she may suggest alternative medications. Together, you can decide the best treatment plan for your personal situation.
To learn more about asthma, visit our Asthma page.
Tuberculosis prevention programs expanding
The Illinois Department of Public Health has awarded Respiratory Health Association funding to expand current tuberculosis (TB) prevention efforts to more area shelters and to include training on hepatitis.
Currently, trainings educate staff at area homeless shelters on how to prevent the spread of TB and how to care for people who have TB. Now, we will expand our efforts to more homeless shelters in Chicago and surrounding counties, and we will broaden our trainings to include awareness about hepatitis as well.
People who are homeless are at high risk for TB, HIV and hepatitis, which can result due to close living conditions and weakened immune systems. Tuberculosis is a respiratory condition that causes coughing, sneezing, tiredness, fever and loss of appetite. Hepatitis is an infection of the liver, which can be further complicated by TB drug regiments that can damage the liver. HIV and hepatitis complicate TB by weakening the immune system's response to the disease.
By addressing hepatitis and TB together, and by broadening our reach throughout the metropolitan region, our prevention programming will help improve health outcomes among people who are homeless in the area.
To learn more about TB, visit our Tuberculosis page.
State Advocacy Day recap
On March 3, people living with lung disease, medical professionals and volunteers visited the capital to advocate for bills that protect lung health. Advocates spoke with more than 50 representatives and senators to gather support on lung-friendly legislation.
Notably, one of our top legislative priorities has passed through committee and will next be debated in the House of Representatives. The bill, introduced by Sara Feigenholtz of Illinois' 12th District, would mandate insurance coverage for smoking cessation medication and/or counseling in Illinois. Modeled after laws in Oregon and Rhode Island, this legislation would help more people quit smoking, and would reduce long-term health costs associated with smoking-related illnesses.
In addition, Respiratory Health Association is supporting proposed laws that would restrict sales and access to e-cigarettes and declare November as Illinois COPD Awareness Month.
Contact your legislators today to let them know that you support lung-friendly legislation. To learn about the issues for which we advocated, view ourSpring 2010 Policy Agenda page.
Get Involved: United for Lung Health
Join us for United for Lung Health Federal Advocacy Day on April 21 and 22 in Washington, D.C. We will be meeting with our federal legislators to advocate for lung-friendly legislation and policies. This year, we will be focusing on a number of lung health initiatives, including:
- development of a national COPD program
- funding for lung cancer research
- asthma management
- clean air initiatives
- tuberculosis control
To learn more and to register, visit our United for Lung Health page.
