title: The controversy over long-acting beta agonists: examining the evidence.
abstract: In the Salmeterol Multicenter Asthma Research Trial (SMART), patients receiving the long-acting beta agonist salmeterol--particularly African Americans--had a statistically significantly higher risk of fatal or potentially fatal asthma episodes. As a result, medications that contain salmeterol (Serevent, Advair) or formoterol (Foradil) carry a "black box warning." However, the benefits of these drugs continue to outweigh the risks, if they are used appropriately.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Clinical Immunology Section, Department of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA. langd@ccf.org
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000420:Albuterol; D000068759:Formoterol Fumarate