Advair Diskus - Fluticasone and Salmeterol

(flew TIH cah sone and sal MEE teh rall)

What is the most important information I should know 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 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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider 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 I 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.

What happens if I 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 I 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 I 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.

What are the 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.