Asthma Drugs Double Heart Attack Risk

Despite warning signs against the overuse of beta-agonist drugs, physicians continue to prescribe them.

Speculations have been raised over pharmaceutical companies that make beta-agonists and support their use, which could be compromising the health of the 16 million Americans battling asthma. One study revealed that people who used beta-agonists were in a higher risk bracket for asthma attacks than the people who didn't take the drug.

Another study showed that using beta-agonists increased the

likelihood of cardiac problems such as heart attacks over the

people who took a placebo.

 

Researchers explained that beta-agonists work in the lungs by

easing the muscles surrounding the airways that begin to narrow

in the event of an asthma flair-up. Researchers also stated that

short-term use of beta-agonists helped decrease asthma symptoms

brought on by asthma episodes, however overuse of these drugs

were found to lead to a resistance for the drugs, which rendered

them a weak alternative in emergency situations.

 

Studies That Neglected to Include Negative Findings on Beta-Agonists

Studies funded by pharmaceutical companies left out "poor quality studies."

Researchers claimed that these studies didn't involve a placebo-control group, therefore shouldn't be considered as conclusive findings regarding the use of beta-agonists.

Beta-agonist use among patients with both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were at higher risk of experiencing heart attacks than those taking a placebo.

 

Annals of Internal Medicine May 18, 2004;140(10):802-13