Serevent
Serevent is a long-acting bronchodilator drug used for the treatment of bronchospasms (sudden narrowing of the airways) associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Bronchodilators like Serevent and Advair function by relaxing the various muscles of the airways, easing constriction and improving lung functionality.
Like Advair, Serevent is manufactured and distributed by GlaxoSmithKline, the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world. Serevent was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of asthma and COPD in 1994.
Serevent and Salmeterol
The major active ingredient in Serevent is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist drug called salmeterol. Salmeterol-based bronchodilators are becoming more widespread because of their effectiveness in treating the symptoms associated with asthma and COPD (wheezing, coughing and chest tightness).
Although salmeterol has proven to be effective in the treatment of asthma, COPD, and other respiratory conditions causing bronchoconstriction, it has also been linked with an increased risk of death resulting from a severe asthma attack.
Serevent Clinical Trials - SMART and SNS
Serevent has gone through a variety of clinical trials designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the bronchodilator drug. In the United States, a 1996 Serevent clinical trial test sought to measure the safety of the drug in a placebo-controlled study. The 28-week long clinical trial, dubbed the SMART clinical trial (Salmeterol Multi-center Asthma Research Trial), found that the use of salmeterol caused an increased risk of asthmatics suffering a fatal asthma attack.
In the United Kingdom, a similar salmeterol clinical trial was performed over a 16-week period. The SNS study (Salmeterol Nationwide Surveillance) was not a placebo-controlled study; however, like the SMART clinical trial, the SNS study found that the use of salmeterol caused an increased risk of asthmatics suffering a fatal asthma attack.
Serevent Deaths
Serevent use has been linked with an increased risk of causing asthmatics to suffer a fatal asthma attack. Because this most serious side effect is relatively rare, the FDA have not sought a recall of the drug; however, they have worked closely with GlaxoSmithKline to revise the Serevent label to include a "black box warning" designed to alert asthmatics and other users to the potential risk of suffering a fatal asthma attack as a result of use.
Additionally, GlaxoSmithKline strongly suggest that users of their bronchodilator products (like Serevent and Advair) do not use more than the indicated dosage of the product in order to avoid the development of serious side effects or the possibility of drug overdose.
Common Serevent Side Effects
In addition to the most severe side effect described above, fatal asthma attack, Serevent has a number of less severe side effects. Some of the common Serevent side effects include:
- Headache / dizziness
- Profuse sweating
- Nausea / vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
Serious Serevent Side Effects
The common Serevent side effects are relatively minor and seldom require medical attention. However, there are a number of other serious Serevent side effects that may require emergency medical attention:
- Chronic chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Breathing problems
- Allergic reaction
- Swelling of the lips, face or tongue
- Hives
- Severe asthma attack
Serevent Lawsuits
Although GlaxoSmithKline bronchodilator products like Serevent and Advair have been used to treat asthma and COPD for a number of years, it was not until recently that the drug labels included a warning regarding the severity of the drugs' side effects. Drug companies, like GlaxoSmithKline, have an obligation to advise the physicians who prescribe drugs and the users of drugs about a drug's severe side effects. Failure to properly notify physicians and patients through the drug label is negligent on the part of the company. Drug companies can be held liable for this negligence and be required to provide compensation to those injured by their drugs.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of using Serevent, then you may be eligible for compensation. It is the responsibility of GlaxoSmithKline to take steps to protect those who use their drugs. Please contact the lawyers of Justice Lawyers at 877 810 4808 to learn more about your legal rights associated with Serevent and other salmeterol-based drugs.
The attorneys of the Law Office of Justice Lawyers are personal injury lawyers in Pensacola who protect victims of auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, defective drugs, consumer fraud, insurance fraud, product defects and defective medical devices, such as Guidant and Medtronic Pacemakers, and potentially harmful drugs, such as Ortho Evra. When you think of the top personal injury lawyers or car accident lawyers in Pensacola, think of Justice Lawyers.