Advair (Fluticasone/Salmeterol) for COPD

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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Advair – GSK