Drug Name

Advair Diskus (Fluticasone/Salmeterol)

Drug Uses

Advair Diskus is used for long-term treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in certain patients. It may also be used to treat other breathing conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to use

Use Advair Diskus as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Advair Diskus comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Advair Diskus refilled. Do not use a spacer with Advair Diskus.
Always ready and use this device in a level, flat position.
Hold the device in one hand and put the thumb of your other hand on the thumb grip. Push your thumb away from you as far as it will go until the mouthpiece appears and snaps into position.
Hold the device in a level, flat position with the mouthpiece toward you. Slide the lever away from you as far as it will go until it clicks.
Do NOT close or tilt the device, play with the lever, or move the lever more than 1 time. This may release or waste extra doses.
Hold the device away from your mouth and breathe out fully. Do NOT breathe into the inhaler. Put the mouthpiece to your lips. Breathe in quickly and deeply through the device.
Remove the device from your mouth. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, or as long as is comfortable. Then breathe out slowly.
Close the device. Put your thumb on the thumb grip and slide it back toward you as far as it will go. The device will click shut and the lever will return to its original position.
Your dose of medicine is a very fine powder. Most, but not all, patients can taste or feel the dose. Do NOT use another dose if you do not taste or feel the medicine. If you are not sure if you are receiving your dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Rinse your mouth with water after using Advair Diskus. DO NOT swallow the rinse solution. Spit the rinse water out.
If you are using other inhaled medicines, wait a few minutes between using Advair Diskus Powder and other inhalers, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
Take your doses of Advair Diskus about 12 hours apart, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Never wash the mouthpiece or any other part of the inhaler. Keep it dry. Store Advair Diskus in a dry place.
Throw Advair Diskus Powder away 1 month after you remove it from the foil pouch, or after the dose indicator reads "0," whichever comes first.
You may breathe more easily after the first dose of Advair Diskus. However, it may take 1 week or longer to achieve the most benefit.
Use Advair Diskus Powder on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Using Advair Diskus at the same times each day will help you remember to use it. Do not stop using Advair Diskus even if you feel better unless your doctor tells you to.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Advair Diskus is a long-acting corticosteroid and bronchodilator combination. It works by reducing inflammation and widening the airways in the lungs, which helps you breath more easily.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Advair Diskus, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Advair Diskus at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a dry place. Store away from direct heat and sunlight, moisture, and light. The inhalation device is not reusable and should be discarded 1 month after removal from the moisture-protective foil overwrap pouch or after all blisters have been used, whichever comes first.

Warnings/Precautions

Do NOT use Advair Diskus Powder if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Advair Diskus or to milk proteins you are having an asthma attack (eg, sudden, severe onset or worsening of asthma symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing)
• you are using another type of long-acting inhaled bronchodilator (eg, formoterol inhalation powder, salmeterol inhalation powder)
• you are taking an azole antifungal (eg, ketoconazole), certain HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), a macrolide antibiotic (eg, clarithromycin), nefazodone, or telithromycin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Some medical conditions may interact with Advair Diskus. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) or tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline), or if you have taken either of these medicines within the last 14 days
• if you have high blood acid levels (eg, ketoacidosis) or a history of diabetes, glaucoma, or increased pressure in the eye, heart problems (eg, fast or irregular heartbeat, heart blood vessel problems), high blood pressure, nervous system problems, liver problems, low blood potassium levels, seizures, thyroid problems, or an adrenal gland tumor
• if you are having a COPD flare-up, have recently been to an emergency room for asthma, have a history of frequent hospitalizations for asthma, or have ever had a life-threatening asthma attack
• if you have a fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infection; a viral infection (eg, measles, chickenpox, shingles); herpes virus infection of the eye; tuberculosis (TB); a history of a positive TB skin test; or immune system problems; or if you have had a recent vaccination
• if you have weak bones (osteoporosis) or have risk factors for osteoporosis (eg, a family history of osteoporosis, tobacco use, long-term use of corticosteroids or certain seizure medicines, limited physical exercise, poor nutrition)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Advair Diskus. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide) or long-acting inhaled bronchodilators (eg, salmeterol inhalation powder, formoterol inhalation powder) because the risk of low blood potassium or irregular heartbeat may be increased
• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because they may decrease Advair Diskus effectiveness.
• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (eg, entacapone), delavirdine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (eg, clarithromycin), MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), nefazodone, short-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators (eg, albuterol), telithromycin, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase the risk of Advair Diskus' side effects

Possible Side Effects

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

• Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; mild muscle or bone pain; nausea; nervousness; throat irritation; tremor; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); behavior changes; blurred vision or other vision changes; chest pain; choking; fast or irregular heartbeat; hoarseness; numbness or tingling in hands or feet; seizures; severe muscle weakness, cramps, or spasms; severe or persistent bone pain; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent headache/sore throat, ear pain, increased mucus production or change in mucus color); swelling or tightness in the throat; trouble sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness; vaginal odor or discharge; weight gain; white patches or sores on the tongue or mouth; worsening of asthma symptoms (eg, increased wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath).

More Information

Advair Diskus is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.