Advair

From PharmDatabase.org

Generic name: Fluticasone and Salmeterol
Brand names: Advair, Advair Diskus
Related Medical Conditions: Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis
Related Groups: Antiasthmatic, Anti-Inflammatory, Bronchodilator

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Advair Articles

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Contents 1 What is Advair? 2 Advair Usage and Dosage 3 Advair Side Effects 4 Other Drugs Interaction 5 Advair Storage 6 Articles

What is Advair?

Fluticasone and salmeterol is a combination of two medicines that are used to help control the symptoms of asthma and improve lung function. It is used when a patient's asthma has not been controlled sufficiently on other asthma medicines or when a patient's condition is so severe that more than one maintenance medicine is needed. However, this medicine will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.

Inhaled fluticasone belongs to the family of medicines known as corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines). It works by preventing certain cells in the lungs and breathing passages from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms.

Inhaled salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator and it belongs to the family of medicines known as bronchodilators. Bronchodilators are medicines that are breathed in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) of the lungs. Salmeterol is different than other bronchodilators because it does not act quickly enough to relieve an asthma attack that has already started.

This medicine must be used with a short-acting beta2 agonist (e.g. albuterol) for the treatment of an asthma attack or asthma symptoms that need immediate attention.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Advair Usage and Dosage

Inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol is used to prevent asthma attacks. It is not used to relieve an asthma attack that has already started. For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another medicine. If you do not have another medicine to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without telling your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

In order for this medicine to help prevent asthma attacks, it must be used every day in regularly spaced doses, as ordered by your doctor.

Do not stop using this medicine or other asthma medicines that your doctor has prescribed for you unless you have discussed this with your doctor.

Rinsing your mouth with water after each dose may help prevent hoarseness, throat irritation, and infection in the mouth. However, do not swallow the water after rinsing.

Inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol is used with a special inhaler that comes with patient directions. Read the directions carefully before using this medicine. If you do not understand the directions or you are not sure how to use the inhaler, ask your health care professional to show you what to do. Also, ask your health care professional to check regularly how you use the inhaler to make sure you are using it properly.

To use the disposable inhaler for inhalation powder:

• To open the inhaler, push the thumbgrip away from you as far as it will go. You will hear a click and feel a snap. When open, the mouthpiece will appear.
• Slide the mouthpiece lever away from you as far as it will go until it clicks. The inhaler is now ready to use. If you close the inhaler or push the lever again, you will lose medicine.
• Turn your head away from the inhaler, and breathe out to the end of a normal breath. Do not breathe into the inhaler.
• Holding the inhaler level, put the mouthpiece between your lips and teeth, and close your lips around the mouthpiece. Do not bite down on the mouthpiece. Do not block the mouthpiece with your teeth or tongue.
• Breathe in through your mouth as deeply as you can until you have taken a full deep breath. Do not breathe through your nose.
• Hold your breath and remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Continue holding your breath as long as you can up to 10 seconds before breathing out slowly. This gives the medicine time to settle in your airways and lungs.
• Turn your head away from the inhaler, and breathe out slowly to the end of a normal breath. Do not breathe into the inhaler.
• If your doctor has told you to inhale more than one puff of medicine at each dose, take the second puff following exactly the same steps you used for the first puff.
• When you are finished, close the inhaler. Place your thumb on the thumbgrip, and slide it back toward you as far as it will go. You will hear it click shut.
• Keep the inhaler dry. Do not wash the mouthpiece, or any other part of the inhaler. You may use a dry cloth to wipe it clean.
• The inhaler has a window that shows the number of doses remaining. This tells you when you are getting low on medicine. The doses counting down from 5 to 0 will show up in red to remind you to refill your prescription.

The dose of inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the direction on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For powder for inhalation
  • For bronchial asthma
    • Adults and children 4 years of age and older: One inhalation twice a day, about 12 hours apart.
    • Children up to 4 years of age: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with chronic bronchitis
    • Adults: One inhalation (250/50) twice a day, about 12 hour apart.
    • Children: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Advair Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• weakness, tired feeling, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss;
• chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, excitement or restless feeling;
• seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed, fainting;
• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medication;
• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist); or
• worsening asthma symptoms.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• headache;
• dryness in your mouth, nose, or throat;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach;
• stuffy nose, sinus pain, cough, sore throat; or
• hoarseness or deepened voice.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Other Drugs Interaction

Before using fluticasone and salmeterol inhalation, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• amiodarone (Cordarone);
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept);
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), or imipramine (Tofranil);
• certain antibiotics such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S.); or
• medicines for depression such as fluoxetine (Prozac), or fluvoxamine (Luvox).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use fluticasone and salmeterol, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect fluticasone and salmeterol inhalation. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Advair Storage

To store this medicine:

Keep out of the reach of children. 

Store at room temperature. Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Store away from direct heat or sunlight. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children. The inhaler contents should be used within 1 month after opening the moisture-protective foil wrap or before the expiration date, whichever comes first.

Articles

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