Advair Diskus

Fluticasone + Salmeterol

Drug Class and Mechanism of Action Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus is combination of bronchodilator with corticosteroid. The combination acts by dilating or relaxing the airway of lungs and by reducing the inflammation in the lungs and airway, thereby making it easier to breath.

Therapeutic Uses of Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus is used for treatment of bronchial asthma and also for treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in some patients. It may also be used in some other breathing problems decided by your doctor.

Direction of use of Advair Diskus

Use Advair Diskus as directed by your doctor. It comes with an extra information sheet known as medication guide. Read this medication guide carefully and read it every time you open a new inhaler or if you get any doubt regarding use of the inhaler.

Hold the inhaler in one hand putting the thumb of other hand in thumb grip. Push your thumb away till mouthpiece appear and snap into position. Hold the inhaler in level and flat position keeping the mouthpiece towards you. Slide the lever away till it clicks. Hold the inhaler away from you and breathe out fully. Do not breathe into the inhaler. Put the mouthpiece to your lips and breathe deeply and quickly through the inhaler. Than remove the inhaler from your lips and hold your breathe as long as you can without discomfort or at least 10 seconds and than breathe out. Than close the device. Put your thumb on the thumb grip and slide it back to its position. The device will click shut and the lever will return to its position.

The medicine is present in fine powder form and most of the patients (but not all) can taste it and if you can not taste it do not use another dose and consult your doctor or health care provider. If you think you are not sure you are receiving the medicine than consult your doctor.

Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after using the inhaler to remove the medicine if it got attached in the mouth. Do not swallow the rinse. If you are taking other medicines through inhaler there should be few minutes gap in between the two medicines.

Take Advair Diskus two times a day every 12 hourly unless your doctor advices you otherwise. Use Advair Diskus at the same time every day to get best result.

Never wash any part of the inhaler and always keep it dry and store it in dry place.

You may get some symptomatic relief in a day or two but to get maximum benefit it may take a few weeks.

Do not stop using Advair Diskus even there is complete relief, unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Dose of Advair Diskus, if Missed

If you miss a dose of Advair Diskus skip the dose and follow normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses together.

How to Store Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus should be stored at temperature between 68 and 77 degree Fahrenheit or 20-25 degree C. Store Advair Diskus away from direct heat, sunlight and moisture. The inhaler device is not reusable and should be discarded one month after opening it or after using all the metered doses, whichever is earlier.

More Information About Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus should be used by the person for whom it is prescribed. It should not be shared with anybody.

Precautions to be Taken While Taking Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus should not be used if you have any of the following and consult your doctor or health care provider:

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Advair Diskus.
If you are using another type of bronchodilator like formoterol.
If you are taking azole group of anti fungal medicine like ketoconazole, some anti HIV medicines like ritonavir and macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin, telithromycin etc.

Some medical conditions can react with Advair Diskus and inform your doctor if you have any of the following medical problems:

If you are pregnant, planning to have a baby or you are breast feeding.
If you are allergic to any food, medicine etc.
If you have osteoporosis or at risk of getting osteoporosis like tobacco addiction, family history of osteoporosis, long term use of steroids, use of hormonal contraceptives, poor nutrition, anti epilepsy medications and lack of physical activity.
If you are taking any medication (prescription or non prescription), dietary supplementation.
If you are suffering from COPD or recently hospitalized for asthma.
If you are taking MAO (mono amine oxidase) inhibitor drugs (phenelzine) or tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline.
If you have bacterial (tuberculosis or positive skin test for tuberculosis), viral (chickenpox, measles, herpes), fungal or parasitic infection.
If you have ketoacidosis, diabetes, glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure more than 21 mm of mercury), hypertension, heart trouble of any type, liver problem, thyroid problem, tumor in the adrenals etc.

Possible Adverse Effects of Advair Diskus

The most common side effects of Advair Diskus are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, sore throat, nervousness, tremor, bone pain and muscle pain. Many people get these side effects, but some get none.
Consult your doctor or health care provider if you get any of the uncommon but severe side effects like allergy to any of the ingredients of Advair Diskus (rash, difficulty in breathing, tight chest, itching, swelling of lips, face, tongue), chills, fever, sore throat, earache, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, muscle spasm, worsening of asthma (increased cough, breathlessness and wheezing), behavior changes, blurring of vision, chest pain, choking, fast or irregular heartbeat, numbness and/or tingling in hands and feet, seizures, insomnia, vaginal discharge, increase mucous production with change in color of mucous etc.

Desease

: A pharmacist explains how Advair Diskus works, why doctors prescribe this asthmatic...

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