Advair Diskus (fluticasone/salmeterol)

Advair Diskus Description

Advair Diskus is a combination medicine that has the active ingredients salmeterol and fluticasone. It is mainly prescribed for respiratory illnesses such as asthama. Advair Diskus is a product of the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmith Kline. In the USA and Canada it is marketed in the name of Advair Diskus, whereas it is sold globally under different names. In Australia, South Africa and New Zealand it is available as Seretide, in Germany it is known as Viani, whereas in Japan it is marketed under the name Adoair which in India is called ForAir. Since it tackles one of the most prevalent illnesses, namely Asthma, it is high global sales. GlaxoSmith Kline holds the US patent for Advair Diskus until 2010 while the European one is until 2013. Cipla is another pharmaceutical company that produces a similar product with the name Seroflo.

Conditions Treated by Advair Diskus

Advair Diskus is available in the form of a DPI or dry powder inhaler. Being a combination medicine, Advair Diskus works effectively due to the dual effect of the two active ingredients in it namely Fluticasone and Salmeterol. The former is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation while the latter is for relief from constriction of breathing. The two are combined in a specific combination in Advair Diskus, thus providing long-term relief from asthma symptoms. Asthma can be very discomforting as there is difficulty in breathing accompanied by coughing and wheezing. It helps by reducing inflammation of the lungs, relaxing the muscles of the sir passage, thus enabling the patient to breathe freely. It is important to note that Advair Diskus is not a short-term reliever medication. It is much more beneficial on a long-term basis, to improve the overall symptoms of respiratory problems like Asthma.

Advair Diskus Dosage Information

a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations

All combination drugs such as Advair Diskus are used in proportion as the two active ingredients in it - Salmeterol and Fluticasone - work effectively together, rather than in isolation. Therefore the dosage is dependent upon the severity of the condition suffered by the patient as well as age and other factors. Advair Diskus has to be inhaled and has the maximum dosage of 500mcg/50mcg or micrograms. The smallest available dose is about 100mcg/50mcg. There is also a medium dose of 250mcg/50mcg. The medication is available as a dry powder inhaler as well as aerosol metered dose inhaler. The various formats and doses vary from country to country.

b.) Missing A Dose

Advair Diskus is not a reliever medication for instant action for instance when an Asthma attack strikes. Therefore there is no adverse reaction as such. All the same, a missed dose could worsen the respiratory condition, hence the dose must be taken as prescribed. In case a dose is missed, it should never be doubled. It is recommended that the next dose be taken, or if the next dose is still 12 hours away, then the patient can take the missed dose.

c.) Overdosing

Advair Diskus is not for self-prescription as the dosage is carefully derived for each patient. An overdose of any medicine, including Advair Diskus can be risky and must be treated as a medical emergency. The symptoms of an overdose include dizziness, heightened heartbeats,muscle weakness or pain, seizures, tremors, sleep related problems, headache, nausea and extreme tiredness along with chest pain.

Advair Diskus Warnings

Advair Diskus is a medication that is available in varied formats and dosages. Hence the patient must get all doubts regarding the use and storage clarified at the time of prescription itself. Also any allergies related to certain foods or medicines must be mentioned, although this is not consumable medication. Being an inhaling drug, it can still interfere with the other organs; hence these precautions need to be taken. Similarly those women who are planning to have a baby, or are pregnant or breastfeeding need to inform their doctor before they begin a dose of Advair Diskus. The medicine is not prescribed for those who are allergic to lactose or any of the active ingredients in Advair Diskus. Even those who have abnormal heart rhythms or untreated pulmonary tuberculosis or bacterial infections are not given the drug. There is special precautions to be taken for storage of the medication as well as the disposal of the used inhaler.

Advair Diskus Side Effects

Just as every medicine has an effect that is desirable it also has an effect that is undesirable. This undesired effect is called the side effect, which can often be temporary. Side effects that are mild can be easily managed gradually. However if the side effects are longer term in nature they must not be ignored or self-managed by the patient. Like all medicines Advair Diskus also has the following mild side effects:

• Congestion or cough
• Pain and ache in body
• Increased heartbeats
• Nausea
• Dizziness or headache
• Irritation in throat, mouth or tongue
• Shakiness

Slightly more serious and uncommon side effects are ulcer or sores in the mouth and throat that need to be shown to a doctor. Then there also some severe side effects that could indicate an adverse reaction to Advair Diskus. These are:

• Skin rash
• Extreme swelling in mouth, tongue or throat and face
• Chest pain
• Difficulty in speaking, swallowing or breathing
• Asthma conditions worsened

If the patient experiences any of the above, then they must be treated with seriousness. Prompt medical attention needs to sought as there could be allergic reaction to Advair Diskus and a change in dose might be needed as well as some additional drugs.

Possible Drug Interactions With Advair Diskus

When a patient is taking more than one medicine, drug interactions are quite likely. However even if there is an interaction, it does not mean that the medicines have to be stopped. There are ways and means to manage multiple drugs. The patient must keep his/her physician well informed about all the drugs being taken, including any herbal or natural medicines as these can also interact with allopathic drugs. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use while taking Advair Diskus, especially:

• amiodarone (Cordarone)
• a diuretic or "water pill" such as:
  • torsemide (Demadex)
  • furosemide (Lasix)
  • bumetanide (Bumex)
  • ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
  • indapamide (Lozol)
  • hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril)
  • metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
  • methyclothiazide (Enduron, Aquatensen)
  • bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin)
  • chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
• HIV medicines such as:
  • atazanavir (Reyataz)
  • ritonavir (Norvir)
  • indinavir (Crixivan)
  • nelfinavir (Viracept)
  saquinavir (Invirase)
• an MAO inhibitor such as:
  • isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • tranylcypromine (Parnate)
  • phenelzine (Nardil)
  • rasagiline (Azilect)
  • selegiline (Eldepryl)
  • selegiline (Emsam Patch)
• an antidepressant such as:
  • amitriptyline (Elavil)
  • desipramine (Norpramin)
  • fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • nefazodone (Serzone)
  • imipramine (Tofranil)
• antibiotics such as:
  • clarithromycin (Biaxin)
  • telithromycin (Ketek)
• antifungal medications such as:
  • ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  • itraconazole (Sporanox)
• a beta-blocker such as:
  • atenolol (Tenormin)
  • carvedilol (Coreg)
  • metoprolol (Lopressor, Betaloc)

If you have any questions about buying discount Advair Diskus online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.