COMBINATION CORTICOSTEROID/LONG-ACTING BRONCHODILATOR
Overview
Advair is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Advair is a combination drug composed of Fluticasone and Salmeterol.
Fluticasone is a glucocorticoid steroid, a drug that suppresses the immune system. Fluticasone is believed to work by reducing inflammation in the lungs, lowering the risk of bronchospasm. Salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator (LABA), a drug that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles in the lungs, making it easier to breathe. Salmeterol is believed to work by relaxing smooth muscles in the airways.
How do I take it?
Advair is generally taken twice daily by oral inhalation.
Advair comes in two forms. Advair HFA is an inhalation aerosol. Advair Diskus is an inhalation powder taken using the special Diskus inhaler.
Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Advair lists common side effects including headaches, viral infections, fungal infections in the mouth, throat irritation, pneumonia, and musculoskeletal pain.
Rare but serious side effects listed for Advair include increased risk for pneumonia, worsening infections, paradoxical bronchospasm (bronchospasm caused by taking medication), hypercorticism (hormonal imbalance), and asthma-related hospitalization and death.
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People with asthma who take long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) medicines, such as salmeterol (one of the medicines in ADVAIR), have an increased risk of death from asthma problems. It is not known whether fluticasone propionate, the other medicine in ADVAIR, reduces the risk of death from asthma problems seen with LABA medicines, such as salmeterol.
It is not known if LABA medicines, such as salmeterol, increase the risk of death in people with COPD.
Call your healthcare provider if breathing problems worsen over time while using ADVAIR. You may need different treatment.
Get emergency medical care if:
ADVAIR should be used only if your healthcare provider decides that your asthma is not well controlled with a long-term asthma control medicine, such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
When your asthma is well controlled, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking ADVAIR. Your healthcare provider will decide if you can stop ADVAIR without loss of asthma control. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a different asthma control medicine for you, such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
Children and adolescents with asthma who take LABA medicines may have an increased risk of hospitalization for asthma problems.
Do not use ADVAIR to treat sudden breathing problems from asthma or COPD. Always have a rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden symptoms.
Do not use ADVAIR DISKUS if you have a severe allergy to milk proteins. Do not use ADVAIR DISKUS or ADVAIR HFA if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the products. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.
Do not use ADVAIR more often than prescribed.
Do not take ADVAIR with other medicines that contain a LABA for any reason.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take and about all of your health conditions.
ADVAIR can cause serious side effects, including:
Common side effects of ADVAIR DISKUS for asthma include:
In children with asthma, infections in the ear, nose, and throat are common.
Common side effects of ADVAIR DISKUS 250/50 for COPD include:
Common side effects of ADVAIR HFA for asthma include:
Rinse your mouth with water without swallowing after using ADVAIR to help reduce your chance of getting thrush.