Asthma Treatment:Merck Gets FDA Approval – Dulera Inhaler

Asthma Treatment:Merck Gets FDA Approval – Dulera Inhaler – Merck and Co. has received FDA approval on an asthma treatment that they have been working on for quite some time. The treatment, called Dulera, will come with a warning label that states that the medicine can cause an increased risk of death. The medication, which comes in the form of an inhaler, will only be prescribed to patients who are twelve and older, because of the nature of the risks involved.

Dulera combines two different types of asthma medication to create what Merck hopes will be the best option for many patients suffering from the symptoms of asthma. The medication will only be for patients who are largely unable to control the symptoms of asthma, and are looking for a new drug to try in order to help out. Formoterol Fumarate, the ingredient that poses the most risk to the patient, is part of a class of drugs called long acting beta agonists.


This class of drug has been known to cause asthma related deaths. The drug is designed to relax muscles around the airways that are constricting. This keeps patients from noticing when the inflammation of the airways has reached a dangerous level. This problem should only affect the most serious cases of asthma.

The FDA said that the drug must carry the strongest warning that they typically issue. It will come in a box that will contain instructions for use as well as an explanation of how to appropriately use the medication. They are hoping that these measures will prevent any unnecessary complications that could arise as a result of use of the medication.

Filed Under: Asthma