Meta-analysis of Effects of Adding Salmeterol to ICS on Serious Asthma-Related Events Found No Increased Risk

"Recent analyses have suggested an increased risk for serious asthma-related adverse events in patients receiving long-acting β-agonists.

Data from 66 GlaxoSmithKline trials involving a total of 20 966 participants with persistent asthma were summarized. Salmeterol combined with inhaled corticosteroids decreases the risk for severe exacerbations, does not seem to alter the risk for asthma-related hospitalizations, and may not alter the risk for asthma-related deaths or intubations compared with inhaled corticosteroids alone.

Limitation: Most trials were short and originally designed to assess lung function rather than clinical outcomes."


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References:
Meta-analysis: Effects of Adding Salmeterol to Inhaled Corticosteroids on Serious Asthma-Related Events. Annals of Int Med, 1 July 2008 | Volume 149 Issue 1 | Pages 33-42.
Image source: Wikipedia, public domain.
Note: The photo on the right shows a Seretide-labeled metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Seretide is the trademark for salmeterol in Europe.