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What is Advair inhalation
 Fluticasone
is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the
body that cause inflammation. Salmeterol is a bronchodilator.
It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.
Advair
inhalation is used to prevent asthma attacks. It is used only
to prevent asthma attacks, not to treat an attack already
in progress. It will not work fast enough to give relief during
an attack.
Advair
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Advair inhalation
Advair will not stop an attack after it has started.
It is used to prevent asthma attacks from occurring. Your
doctor may prescribe another medicine to keep on hand to treat
asthma attacks.
Do not use more of this medication
than is prescribed for you.
Use Advair consistently,
as directed, even when you are feeling better. Improvement
in your condition may occur within 30 minutes of using a dose,
however it may be one week or more before the full benefit
of this medication is achieved. Talk to your doctor or other
healthcare professional if your symptoms do not improve or
if they get worse.
It is very important that you use
your Advair inhaler properly, so that the medicine gets into
your lungs. Do not use a spacer with this product. Talk to
your doctor about proper inhaler use.
Seek medical
attention if you notice that you require more than your usual
or more than the maximum amount of a short-acting asthma medication
in a 24-hour period. An increased need for medication could
be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.
Do not
use an inhaled, long-acting bronchodilator such as salmeterol
(Serevent) or other inhaled steroid medicines during treatment
with Advair inhalation unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What you should discuss with your doctor before
using Advair Before using Advair, tell your doctor if you have:
- a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection of any
kind;
- ever had an allergic reaction to fluticasone
(Flovent, Flonase) or salmeterol (Serevent);
- heart
disease or high blood pressure;
- epilepsy or another
seizure disorder;
- diabetes;
- glaucoma;
- tuberculosis;
- an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism);
or
- liver disease.
You may not be able to
use Advair inhalation or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of
the conditions listed above.
Advair inhalation is
in the FDA pregnancy C. This means that it is not known
whether Advair inhalation will harm an unborn baby. Do not
use this medication without first talking to your doctor
if you are pregnant.
It is not known whether Advair
pass into breast milk. Do not use Advair inhalation without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Advair inhalation is not approved for use by
children younger than 12 years of age.
How should you use Advair inhalation Use Advair inhalation exactly as directed by your
doctor. Read the information insert included with your inhaler.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Advair inhalation
is usually used as one inhalation twice a day (morning and
evening approximately 12 hours apart). Follow your doctor's
instructions.
To use the Advair (Advair Diskus) inhaler:
- Snap the mouthpiece into position. Hold the Diskus
level and away from your mouth, breathe out fully, away
from the mouthpiece. (Do not breathe out into the Diskus
mouthpiece.) Put the mouthpiece to your lips. Take a steady,
deep breath in through your mouth. Remove the mouthpiece
from your mouth. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds.
Breathe out slowly away from the mouthpiece. Close the Diskus.
The Diskus is now ready for your next scheduled dose.
-
To reduce the chance of developing a yeast infection in
your mouth, rinse your mouth after using Advair inhalation.
- It is very important that you use your Advair inhaler
properly, so that the medicine gets into your lungs. Do
not use a spacer with this product. Talk to your doctor
about proper inhaler use.
- Never wash the mouthpiece
or any part of the Diskus device. Keep it dry at all times.
Do not use more of this medication than is prescribed
for you.
Use Advair consistently, as directed, even
when you are feeling better. Improvement in your condition
may occur within 30 minutes of using a dose, however it
may be one week or more before the full benefit of this
medication is achieved. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare
professional if your symptoms do not improve or if they
get worse.
Advair will not stop an attack after it
has started. It is used to prevent asthma attacks from occurring.
Your doctor may prescribe another medicine to keep on hand
to treat asthma attacks.
Do not use an inhaled, long-acting
bronchodilator such as salmeterol (Serevent) or other inhaled
steroid medicines during treatment with Advair inhalation
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Seek medical
attention if you notice that you require more than your
usual or more than the maximum amount of a short-acting
asthma medication in a 24-hour period. An increased need
for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma
attack.
Continue to take any oral steroid (pills
or liquid) that your doctor has prescribed for you. Advair
inhalation is not a substitute for an oral steroid.
If you are switching from an oral steroid (pills or liquid)
to Advair inhalation, carry or wear identification that
will let others know that you may require a systemic steroid
during a severe asthma attack or during another traumatic
situation. Discuss with your doctor the precautions necessary
when discontinuing an oral steroid.
Store this medication
at room temperature away from moisture and heat. The Diskus
inhalation device is not reusable. Throw away the device
1 month after removal from the moisture-protective foil
overwrap pouch or after every dose has been used (when the
dose indicator reads "0"), whichever comes first.
There are 60 doses per Diskus. Do not attempt to take the
device apart.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose,
skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do
not use a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a salmeterol and fluticasone overdose may include angina
or chest pain, irregular or rapid heartbeats, seizures,
tremor, weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
What should you avoid while using Advair inhalation Avoid known items or activities that make you asthma
symptoms worse. Clean areas where dust or pet fur may aggravate
your condition.
Avoid exposing yourself to known
sources of infection. Stay away from people with chicken
pox, measles, or any other type of infection. Your immune
system may not be strong enough to fight off an infection
while you are using Advair inhalation.
Possible side effects of Advair inhalation Serious side effects from Advair inhalation are not
likely to occur. If you experience any of the following
serious side effects, stop using Advair inhalation and seek
emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing
of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face;
or hives);
- chest pain or irregular heartbeats;
- numbness, tingling, or pain;
- a rash or
unexplained open sores or bruising; or
- worsening
breathing or asthma symptoms.
Other, less serious
side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take
Advair inhalation and talk to your doctor if you experience
- dry mouth, nose, or throat after use;
-
yeast (or another) infection in the mouth or throat (white
patches);
- hoarseness or deepening of the voice,
cough, or sore throat;
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
- dizziness, headache, tremor, or nervousness.
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.
What other drugs will affect Advair inhalation Before using Advair inhalation, tell your doctor
and pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications:
- another oral, nasal, or inhaled steroid;
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor),
propranolol (Inderal), and others;
- a monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
-
a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil),
doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
- a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide
(HydroDiuril, Esidrix, Oretic, Microzide), chlorothiazide
(Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), and others; or
- caffeine
(in food or medicines), a diet medicine, or a decongestant
such as phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylephrine.
You may not be able to use Advair, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Advair
inhalation or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines. |
