Long-acting beta agonists should not be used alone in asthma, the FDA warns. The drugs at issue include the single-agent LABAs Serevent and Foradil.
Because LABAs have been associated with severe worsening of symptoms, the agency is requiring that labels carry the following guidance:
LABAs are contraindicated without the use of a controller medication, such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
Long-term use is only indicated for patients whose disease doesn’t respond to controller medications.
LABAs should be used for the shortest period possible.
To ensure compliance, children and adolescents should only use LABAs that contain an inhaled corticosteroid.
The recommendations do not apply to use of LABAs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
http://firstwatch.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2010/219/1