Advair Diskus Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe inflammatory lung diseases.

The two most common kinds are chronic bronchitis, which is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, and emphysema, which is caused by damage to the air sacs of the lungs.

COPD is usually caused by the inhalation of pollutants like cigarette smoke, chemical gases, and airborne particulate matter.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition in which the airways become inflamed and swollen. Because of the inflammation, the airways tighten and produce extra mucus. Patients experience symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

While some patients experience mild symptoms, for others, the disease may have serious symptoms that require careful monitoring and medical treatment.

In some countries, Advair Diskus is sold under the brand name: Seretide Accuhaler

Advair Diskus Active Ingredient

Generic Advair Diskus Alternative Ranolazine-er

Advair Diskus consists of two active ingredients: fluticasone and salmeterol. The corticosteroid fluticasone reduces irritation and swelling of the airways. Salmeterol belongs to a class of drugs known as long-acting beta-agonists and helps to open airways to ease breathing.

Patients have a choice of buying brand name Advair Diskus or generic alternatives. A number of safe, affordable generic alternatives to Advair Diskus are available through our international online pharmacy

General Drug Information

What is Advair Diskus and What Is It Used For?

Advair Diskus is prescribed to prevent wheezing and shortness of breath in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This medication contains two active ingredients – the corticosteroid fluticasone and salmeterol – which patients inhale through a device. The medication should be used regularly in order for patients to experience less irritation and swelling of the airways. It should not be used in the event of sudden asthma attacks.

Usage and Application

Patients should read the medication guide provided, as well as the directions to ensure they know how to properly use this inhaler. The treating physician can help with any additional questions. To use the device, patients must lie down in a level position.

The medication is inhaled orally. It is possible to taste the drug while inhaling, although not all patients do. Both are normal. Patients should not exhale into the device. The drug is usually inhaled twice daily – in the morning and evening – with doses twelve hours apart. Dosage is based on a patient’s medical condition, age and response to treatment.

The device should be closed after each use. Do not take it apart or wash the mouthpiece or any other part. Patients using other inhalers should wait at least a minute between medications. Advair Diskus should be used last. It is important to gargle and rinse the mouth with water after each dosage to help prevent irritation and yeast infections.

Patients should not swallow the rinse water. It is necessary to use this medication regularly in order to experience its full benefit. It works best if used at evenly spaced intervals.

To reduce the risk of forgetting, patients are advised to take the medication at the same time each day. This medication should be used exactly as prescribed. It may take a week or longer before patients experience the full effect of this medication. Increasing the dose or taking it more frequently is not advised, neither is stopping the drug without consulting the treating physician first.

To reduce possibly serious complications, patients must make sure they are not taking other long-acting beta-agonists while using Advair Diskus or any of its generic alternatives. Patients who take a different oral corticosteroid like prednisone should continue doing so unless directed otherwise by their doctor. In the event such drugs are stopped suddenly, patients may experience withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, and dizziness.

Conditions such as asthma or allergies may also be exacerbated. To prevent withdrawal symptoms and other complications, patients may be directed to slowly lower doses of their old medication before starting treatment with Advair Diskus. Patients should report withdrawal symptoms immediately. More information on this is available in the Precautions section.

Those who regularly use a quick-relief inhaler such as albuterol (also known as salbutamol) should stop. Quick-relief inhalers should only be used for sudden shortness of breath and/or sudden asthma attacks.

To ensure the safety and efficacy of treatment, patients who use more than one inhaler should be clear which one is for daily use and which one is for quick relief of severe asthma attack only.

The treating physician can help to prepare a plan of action to address a new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, increased sputum and worsening peak flow meter readings.

Patients also need to ask ahead of time what to do in the event they wake up at night with breathing troubles, if they use their quick-relief inhaler more than two days a week or if their quick-relief inhaler does not seem to be working well.

Patients should learn which breathing problems can be tended to at home with existing medications they have been prescribed, and which issues require immediate medical assistance.

Considerations Before Taking Advair Diskus

Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to fluticasone and salmeterol – the two main ingredients of this medication – or to any of its inactive ingredients. It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially past or current infections like tuberculosis, herpes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, seizures, liver disease, and diabetes.

In addition, patients should discuss problems with an irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma, etc.) and hyperthyroidism, a thyroid condition.

Salmeterol may cause a serious and possibly fatal heart rhythm condition known as QT prolongation. Symptoms include fast and irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness and fainting. Patients should seek immediate medical attention should they experience any of the above symptoms.

The risk of QT prolongation is higher for people who take other medications that may affect this condition or who have certain medical conditions such as heart failure, slow heartbeat and long QT intervals (shown in electrocardiograms). The risk is higher for people with a family history of QT prolongation, long QT intervals or sudden cardiac death.

Low potassium and magnesium blood levels also increase risk of QT prolongation. This may occur if patients take diuretic pills or experience conditions like severe sweating, diarrhea or vomiting. Advair Diskus and its generic alternatives may mask signs of infection and make patients more susceptible to infections.

Safety precautions include regular hand washing and avoiding contact with people who have infections like the flu, chickenpox or measles. Patients who have switched from an oral corticosteroid to this inhaler within the past year may find that their body is having a harder time than usual in responding to physical stress.

The same applies for patients using this product in higher-than-usual doses for an extended period of time. It is important to report unusual tiredness or extreme weight loss to the treating physician immediately.

Patients with serious injuries or illnesses, or who or are about to undergo emergency treatment or surgery, need to alert their doctor that they have used Advair Diskus or an oral corticosteroid within the past year.

Patients should include this information on a medical ID bracelet or carry a warning card. Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products they are taking.

Older adults suffering from COPD may be at greater risk for pneumonia while using this medication.

They also may be more at risk of developing QT prolongation, a serious heart rhythm condition. In children, Advair Diskus and its generic alternatives may slow growth if used for a long time.

Poorly controlled asthma, however, may have a similar effect. The effect on final height in adulthood is not known. Women who are pregnant – or planning to become pregnant – should discuss the safe use of this medication with their doctors. It is not known whether the active ingredients of this drug pass into breast milk.

Delayed and Omitted doses

Patients who miss a dose should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up the dose in order to catch up.

Other medications and Advair Diskus

Drug interactions may change the way Advair Diskus or its generic alternatives work and can increase the risk of side effects.

Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so. Some substances, such as the cancer drug aldesleukin, may react negatively with Advair Diskus.

Other drugs can affect the removal of fluticasone and salmeterol from your body, affecting how this product works.

Examples include antifungal medications such as ketoconazole, the hepatitis C drug boceprevir, and the antidepressant nefazodone. In addition, some antibiotics like telithromycin and clarithromycin have a similar effect, as do HIV drugs such as lopinavir/ritonavir, and cobicistat.

Adverse Reactions

Some patients may experience hoarseness, throat irritation, headache or stomach upset. Patients should alert their physician in the event these symptoms persist.

Most patients are able to use this product safely without serious side effects. In some patients, Advair Diskus may increase blood pressure.

Patients should monitor blood pressure regularly and alert the treating physician in the event it remains high. In rare cases, this medication may cause severe sudden worsening of breathing problems or asthma symptoms. In the event of such problems, patients should use a quick-relief inhaler and seek immediate medical help.

Patients should tell their doctor if they experience serious side effects like white patches on the tongue or in the mouth, muscle cramps, tremor, or signs of infection like fever and persistent sore throat.

Serious side effects may also include mood changes such as nervousness, trouble sleeping, blurred vision, and increased thirst or urination.

It is important to seek immediate medical help in the event of the following rare but serious side effects: chest pain, irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, and seizures.

Serious allergic reactions to Advair Diskus are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergy symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing. Read more on our Advair Diskus Side Effects Page.

How to Store Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus should be stored at room temperature, away from light or moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Devices which are wrapped in foil should be kept in the original packaging until ready for use. The device should either be discarded a month after removal from the original foil package or after the doses have been used.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be drained, flushed down the toilet, or placed in your regular garbage. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods