Let's examine both, the SHORT AND LONG-TERM side-effects of ALBUTEROL and also ADVAIR...
One person uses Albuterol as needed--let's say an average of ONCE per day(some days not at all, some days up to 3). This person stays on Albuterol for 30 years(which I almost have).
PERSON #2 uses Advair everyday, in conjunction with a PILL in order to "control asthma". This person consumes these TWO DRUGS every day for 30 years...
WHO IS HEALTHIER? WHO HAS LESS OF A RISK OF A LIFE-THREATENING EVENT? The answer is PERSON #1 using just Albuterol as needed.
Albuterol is a very safe drug. EVEN IF I used it 2-3 times per day for the rest of my life, I would still be better off than using Advair and other drugs that DO NOT HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF MEDICAL USE. THESE ARE NEW DRUGS.
Good discussion, I know you're only trying to keep us safe.
"Advair
LABAs, such as salmeterol, one of the active ingredients in Advair HFA, increase the risk of asthma-related death. Data from a large placebo-controlled US study that compared the safety of salmeterol (SEREVENT Inhalation Aerosol) or placebo added to usual asthma therapy showed an increase in asthma-related deaths in patients receiving salmeterol. Currently available data are inadequate to determine whether concurrent use of inhaled corticosteroids or other long-term asthma control drugs mitigates the increased risk of asthma-related death from LABAs. Available data from controlled clinical trials suggest that LABAs increase the risk of asthma-related hospitalization in pediatric and adolescent patients.
The incidence of common adverse events in Table 4 is based upon 2 placebo-controlled, 12-week, US clinical studies (Studies 1 and 3) and 1 active-controlled, 12-week, US clinical study (Study 2). A total of 1,008 adolescent and adult patients with asthma (556 females and 452 males) previously treated with albuterol alone, salmeterol, or inhaled corticosteroids were treated twice daily with 2 inhalations of Advair HFA 45/21 or Advair HFA 115/21, fluticasone propionate CFC inhalation aerosol (44- or 110-mcg doses), salmeterol CFC inhalation aerosol 21 mcg, or placebo HFA inhalation aerosol.