Why is it prescribed?
Advair® MDI contains salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate.
Advair® is used for maintenance treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (bronchitis, emphysema)in patients who require an inhaled corticosteroid medication and a long-acting bronchodilater.
Advair® is not a rescue medication and should not be used to treat a sudden asthmatic episode.
Side Effects
Advair® MDI contains salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate.
Poor control of symptoms with Advair® can often be caused by improper use of the delivery device. Be sure to follow the directions given to you by your pharmacist and read the patient instructions that are provided with the medication.
Optimal relief of symptoms may require 2 to 7 days of continuous therapy.
If you are not responding to your usual dose, or your symptoms get worse, contact your doctor. Never increase the dose or frequency of the dose without being instructed to do so by your doctor.
Do not take any other respiratory medications without your doctor's approval.
Treatment with Advair® should never be stopped without first consulting your doctor. Discontinuation requires a gradual tapering of the dose and/or frequency or you may experience a flare-up of your condition.
The safety and efficacy of Advair® in children under the age of 4 is not known.
People who have been treated with long term oral corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) and are being switched to Advair® should start the Advair® before stopping the oral corticosteroid. The oral corticosteroid should then be gradually withdrawn.
The fluticasone in Advair® may make people more susceptible to respiratory infections and may mask the symptoms of an existing infection. If you suspect that you may have a respiratory tract infection, contact your physician.
This immune system suppression also makes people more susceptible to getting thrush of the mouth and throat. Thrush is a fungal infection that usually presents as milky-white curds on the surface of the skin of the mouth and throat. These curds are easily wiped off and when removed leave a red, raw, painful surface. If you suspect that you might have thrush, see your physician. To best prevent getting thrush, it is wise to rinse your mouth out with water after using Advair®.
Drug Interactions: Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking in order to avoid any potentially dangerous interactions.
The following drugs may interact with Advair®
- short acting beta-agonists (e.g. salbutamol)
- MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
- tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine)
- methylxanthines (e.g. theophylline)
- some beta-blockers (e.g. propranolol)
- ritonavir (e.g. Norvir®)
- ASA (e.g. Aspirin) only in patients with hypoprothrombinemia (a deficiency of a clotting factor in the blood)
Use is not recommended in the following situations:
- allergy to any component of Advair®
- patients with allergic reactions to lactose or milk
- cardiac arrhythmia associated with tachycardia (irregular heartbeat associated with rapid heart rate)
- people with untreated fungal, bacterial or tuberculosis infections
Caution is recommended in the following situations:
- hypothyroidism
- diabetes
- cirrhosis
- glaucoma
- cardiovascular disorders
- cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
Use in pregnancy: The safety of using Advair® in pregnancy has not been established. Taking any drug while pregnant should only be considered if the potential benefits to the mother are greater than any possible risk to the unborn child.
Use while breast-feeding: There is no experience with the use of Advair® by breast-feeding mothers. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are considering breast-feeding.
Patient Information
Advair® is intended for continual use on a regular basis to prevent symptoms. It should not be used as a relief medication.
Advair® should not be used more frequently than twice daily.
After inhaling a dose, be sure to rinse your mouth with water and spit it out. This may help prevent developing the fungal infection of the mouth and throat called thrush.
If you accidently take more than the recommended number of inhalations, you may notice that your heart is beating faster than usual, that you have a headache and that you fell shaky. In this case, tell your doctor without delay.
If you miss a single dose, skip the dose and just take the next dose when it is due.
It is advisable to have your technique reassessed by the pharmacist for the first 2 or 3 refills of your prescription.
Remember to shake the inhaler before each use.
When 2 inhalations are required, wait at least half a minute between doses.
Each canister contains 120 doses so it is important to keep a record of approximately when it should be replaced. To avoid problems, many people keep 2 inhalers on hand. Your inhaler should be stored at room temperature (between 15 to 25 degrees centigrade). The contents of the canister are under pressure and should never be punctured, used or stored near heat or open flame.
It should also be protected from direct sunlight and frost.
Directions for Use
The usual dose for asthma in children over 12 years of age and adults is 125 to 250 mcg twice daily.
Lung Diseases Treated with this Drug
salmeterol xinafoate
- asthma
- bronchitis
- bronchospasm associated with COPD
- chronic bronchitis (COPD)
- COPD
- emphysema (COPD)
fluticasone propionate
- allergic rhinitis
- asthma
- nasal polyps
- perennial rhinitis
- rhinitis
- runny nose
- seasonal allergies
- seasonal rhinitis
Need More Information?
For more information contact your physician, pharmacist, other health care professional or for general questions call your local lung association.
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