FDA Approves Asthma Medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two new asthma medications. Here’s a look at the medications and how they work.

Adviar Diskus treats both components of asthma: inflammation and bronchoconstriction. It contains an inhaled corticosteroid to reduce swelling and irritation of the lung airways and a long-acting bronchodilator to help prevent airway muscle constriction It will be a long-term asthma control medication taken twice daily for people 12 years of age and older.

Pulmicort Respules by Astra Zeneca treats asthma in children from 12 months to eight years of age. It is the first and only nebulized corticosteroid therapy. Prior to Pulmicort Respules anti-inflammatory treatment options for a young child was limited. Corticosteroid therapy was only available for children age four and older in an inhaler form. A problem with inhaler therapy for young children is it is hard for them to actuate the medication due to decreased fine motor coordination. A difficulty in timing inhalation also makes it hard to guarantee the proper amount of medication enters the lungs with each dose.
These new medications have the potential of providing more effective and convenient treatments. The combined therapy approach of Adviar Diskus may decrease the number of medications an asthmatic must take daily. Pulmicort Respules will provide another available treatment option for children. For more information, speak to your primary care provider or contact the pharmaceutical companies directly.