Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus (FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE + SALMETEROL) is a combination of inhaled drugs that is used to treat asthma and chronic bronchitis. In patients with asthma, the airways (bronchioles) through which air moves in and out of the lungs can be narrowed by accumulation of mucus, spasm of the muscles that surround these airways, or swelling of the lining of the airways due to inflammation. Airway narrowing leads to symptoms of shortness of breath, wheezing, cough and congestion. Medications used in treating asthma include those that open airways, called bronchodilators, and those that reduce inflammation.

Product category: Asthma

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Product Description

Common uses

Advair Diskus is used as a maintenance treatment for children and adults with asthma. It is also used for adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis. If your child is having frequent asthma symptoms, asthma attacks, and/or is frequently using his asthma control or rescue medicines, like Albuterol or Xopenex, then he may need a medicine like Advair.

Before using

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: aldesleukin, amphotericin B, other asthma drugs (e.g., quick-relief inhalers), beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol, propranolol), corticosteroids taken by mouth (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisone), HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), inhaled anesthetics (e.g., halothane), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove this medication from your body (such as azole antifungals including itraconazole, macrolide antibiotics including erythromycin, cimetidine, rifamycins including rifabutin, St. John's wort, certain anti-seizure medicines including carbamazepine), mifepristone, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline), "water pills"/diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide).

Directions

Read the Medication Guide available from your pharmacist before you start using salmeterol/fluticasone and each time you get a refill. Refer to the illustrated directions provided by the manufacturer for directions on how to use this device. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Always activate and use this device in a level, horizontal position.
Inhale this medication by mouth, usually twice daily in the morning and the evening (12 hours apart), or use as directed by your doctor. You may or may not taste/feel the drug when you inhale. Either is normal. Never exhale into the device. Do not use with a spacer. Never wash the mouthpiece or any part of the device. Do not take the inhaler apart.
Gargle and rinse your mouth with water after using this medication to help prevent dryness and mouth infections (e.g., thrush) and relieve throat irritation. Do not swallow the rinse water.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly to receive the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Do not use it more than prescribed or use more than 1 inhalation twice daily since this may increase the risk of side effects.
Do not stop taking this medication or change your dose without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
If you have been using a quick-relief inhaler (e.g., albuterol) on a regular daily schedule (such as 4 times daily), you must stop this schedule and only use it as needed for sudden shortness of breath/asthma attacks. Consult your doctor for details.
If this medication stops working well, or you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often than usual (4 or more puffs daily or use of more than 1 inhaler every 8 weeks), seek immediate medical attention. It may be a sign of worsening asthma, which is a serious condition.
It may take 1 week or longer before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Cautions

The FDA recently issued an alert that long-acting beta-agonists, including salmeterol, may increase 'the chance of severe asthma episodes, and death when those episodes occur.' Keep in mind that these episodes were rare and you should weigh the risk of having uncontrolled or poorly controlled asthma and not taking Advair if your child's asthma is not controlled with an inhaled corticosteroid alone.

Possible side effects

Advair is usually well tolerated by children. The most common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections, throat irritation, ear, nose, and throat infections, epistaxis (nosebleeds), pharyngitis (throat infections), ear signs and symptoms, sinusitis, headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort and pain, nausea and vomiting, cadidiasis of the mouth or throat, fever, and chest symptoms.

If you take too much

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include angina or chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeats, seizures, tremor, weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Additional information

Advair Discus is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people

Drug interactions

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: natalizumab.
Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with this medication. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal drug interaction may occur.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product.