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Advair Diskus This page contains recent news articles, when available, and an overview of Advair Diskus (Fluticasone propionate; Salmeterol xinafoate) but does not offer medical advice. You should contact your physician with regard to any health issues or concerns. Why is Advair Diskus prescribed? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] The combination of fluticasone and salmeterol is used to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties caused by asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Fluticasone is in a class of medications called steroids. It works by reducing swelling in the airways. Salmeterol is in a class of medications called long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe. Recent news articles mentioning Advair Diskus Results From Landmark Study Suggest That Advair 500/50 Provides ...  -  21 Feb 2007 Yahoo! News (press release) Advair Diskus may increase this risk; therefore, bone mineral density assessment is recommended prior to starting Advair Diskus and periodically thereafter. lower steroid dose for asthmatic kids  -  Feb 13, 2007 NorthJersey.com, ...to inhale Advair Diskus (a combination of fluticasone and the bronchodilator Serevent, or salmeterol) in the morning and Serevent again at night; Inhaled Steroids Best For Kids' Asthma, Trial Finds  -  Jan 23, 2007 MedPage Today, Inhaled Advair Diskus (100 micrograms of fluticasone and 50 micrograms of salmeterol) in the morning and 50 micrograms of inhaled Serevent (salmeterol) in How should Advair Diskus be used? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] The combination of fluticasone and salmeterol comes as a powder to inhale by mouth using a specially designed inhaler. It is usually used twice a day, in the morning and evening, about 12 hours apart. Use fluticasone and salmeterol at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use fluticasone and salmeterol exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Talk to your doctor about how you should take your other oral or inhaled medications for asthma during your treatment with salmeterol and fluticasone inhalation. If you were using a short-acting beta agonist inhaler such as albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) on a regular basis, your doctor will probably tell you to stop using it regularly but to continue to use it to treat sudden attacks of asthma symptoms. Follow these directions carefully. Do not change the way you use any of your medications or stop taking any of your medications without talking to your doctor. Do not use fluticasone and salmeterol during an attack of asthma or COPD. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting inhaler to use during attacks. Fluticasone and salmeterol inhalation controls asthma and COPD but does not cure these conditions. It may take a week or longer before you feel the full benefit of fluticasone and salmeterol. Continue to use fluticasone and salmeterol even if you feel well. Do not stop using fluticasone and salmeterol without talking to your doctor. If you stop using fluticasone and salmeterol inhalation, your symptoms may return. Before you use fluticasone and salmeterol inhalation for the first time, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use the inhaler. Practice using your inhaler while he or she watches. To use the inhaler, follow these steps: If you will be using a new inhaler for the first time, remove it from the box and the foil wrapper. Fill in the blanks on the inhaler label with the date that you opened the pouch and the date 1 month later when you must replace the inhaler. Hold the inhaler in one hand, and put the thumb of your other hand on the thumbgrip. Push your thumb away from you as far as it will go until the mouthpiece appears and snaps into position. Hold the inhaler in a level, horizontal position with the mouthpiece toward you. Slide the lever away from you as far as it will go until it clicks. Every time the lever is pushed back, a dose is ready to inhale. You will see the number in the dose counter go down. Do not waste doses by closing or tilting the inhaler, playing with the lever, or advancing the lever more than once. Hold the inhaler level and away from your mouth, and breathe out as far as you comfortably can. Keep the inhaler in a level, flat position. Put the mouthpiece to your lips. Breathe in quickly and deeply though the inhaler, not through your nose. Remove the inhaler from your mouth, and hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as you comfortably can. Breathe out slowly. You will probably taste or feel the salmeterol powder released by the inhaler. Even if you do not, do not inhale another dose. If you are not sure you are getting your dose of fluticasone and salmeterol, call your doctor or pharmacist. Rinse your mouth with water, but do not swallow. Put your thumb on the thumbgrip and slide it back toward you as far as it will go. The inhaler will click shut. Never exhale into the inhaler, take the inhaler apart, or wash the mouthpiece or any part of the inhaler. Keep the inhaler dry. Do not use the inhaler with a spacer. Other uses for Advair Diskus [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Before taking amprenavir, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amprenavir, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking in addition to those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, especially alprazolam (Xanax); amiodarone (Cordarone); antacids; anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); astemizole (Hismanal);atorvastatin (Lipitor); bepridil (Vascor); betamethasone (Celestone); bepridil (Vascor); birth control pills; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol); cerivastatin (Baycol); cimetidine (Tagamet); cisapride (Propulsid); clorazepate (Tranxene); clozapine (Clozaril); cortisone acetate (Cortone); dapsone (Avlosulfon); delavirdine (Rescriptor); dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol, others); diazepam (Valium); didanosine (Videx); dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor); efavirenz (Sustiva); ergonovine (Ergotrate); ergotamine (Cafergot, Ercaf, others); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, PCE, others); flurazepam (Dalmane); hydrocortisone (Cortef, Cortenema, Hydrocortone); itraconazole (Sporanox); lidocaine (Xylocaine, LidoPen Auto-Injector, others); loratadine (Claritin); lovastatin (Mevacor); medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); medications for diabetes; methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol, others); midazolam (Versed); nevirapine (Viramune); nicardipine (Cardene); nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); nimodipine (Nimotop); phenobarbital (Barbita); phenytoin (Dilantin, Diphenylan Sodium); pimozide (Orap); prednisolone (Delta-Cortef, Prelone); prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, others); quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinidex); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Rimactane); ritonavir (Norvir); sildenafil (Viagra); simvastatin (Zocor); steroid medications such as estrogen or progesterone; terfenadine (Seldane); triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenacort); triazolam (Halcion); vitamin E and any other vitamins. take amprenavir 1 hour before or 1 hour after you take antacids or didanosine (Videx). tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort or products containing St. John's wort. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or hemophilia. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Once you begin taking amprenavir, you should not plan to become pregnant or breast-feed. If you become pregnant while taking amprenavir capsules, call your doctor. if you are taking birth control pills, you should talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control because amprenavir may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pills. if you are taking amprenavir liquid, you should avoid drinking alcohol. you should be aware that your body fat may increase or move to different areas of your body, such as your breasts and your upper back. What side effects can Advair Diskus cause? [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Fluticasone and salmeterol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: runny nose sneezing sore throat throat irritation sinus pain headache upset stomach vomiting diarrhea stomach pain muscle and bone pain dizziness weakness tiredness sweating tooth pain red or dry eyes shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control sleep problems Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately: coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness that begins soon after you inhale fluticasone and salmeterol hives rash swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs choking or difficulty swallowing hoarseness noisy, high-pitched breathing pounding fast, or irregular heartbeat fainting chest pain cough burning or tingling in the hands or feet blurred vision white patches in the mouth fever, chills, and other signs of infection Fluticasone and salmeterol may cause children to grow more slowly. Your child's doctor will monitor your child's growth carefully. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving this medication to your child. Fluticasone and salmeterol may increase the risk that you will develop glaucoma, cataracts, or osteoporosis. You will probably need to have regular eye exams and bone tests during your treatment with fluticasone and salmeterol. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication. Fluticasone and salmeterol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088]. Brand names for Advair Diskus [MedMaster Patient Drug Information database] Advair ®