To treat asthma in children and adults, Advair Diskus is a prescribed popularly. It is also used by adults for treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease i.e. COPD that includes chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. It is usually combined with another medicine for those who suffer from asthma.

Fluticasone and salmeterol is a combination of two medicines that are used to help control the symptoms of asthma and improve lung function. It is used when a patient’s asthma has not been controlled sufficiently on other asthma medicines or when a patient’s condition is so severe that more than one maintenance medicine is needed. However this medicine will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started. This medicine must be used with a short-acting beta 2 agonist. For e.g. Albuterol for the treatment of an asthma attack or asthma symptoms that need immediate attention.

However, before taking Advair Diskus medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Advair Diskus medication. However, Advair Diskus may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Advair Diskus i.e. Fluticasone medication and also read the prescription label carefully.

However, the dosage differs for adults and children. The dosage can be increased or decreased depending upon individual needs. Advair comes with a special diskus that contains packs with measured doses of this medicine. Each time the diskus is used, the device automatically opens and loads a pack into it. Do not use a spacer with this device.

Consult your doctor if you are using any other medication for your condition whilst on a course with the Advair Diskus medication.

If you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

Generally, Advair Diskus is generally well tolerated, even by little children. Some side effects that can been seen are, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Nausea, Headache, Vomiting, Hoarseness of voice, cough, sore throat, sinus pain, Stuffy nose, dry mouth, nose or throat, Breathing Difficulties etc.

If you have an allergic reaction such as, , Labored breathing, Tightness in the chest, Itching, Rash, Swelling in the mouth/face/lips/tongue etc., immediately stop the medicine and consult your doctor for help.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form.

It can interact with, Tricyclic antidepressants amitriptyline like Elavil, amoxapine like Asendin, clomipramine like Anafranil, desipramine like Norpramin, doxepin like Sinequan, imipramine like Tofranil, nortriptyline like Pamelor, protriptyline like Vivactil, trimipramine like Surmontil etc.

However, Advair Diskus may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Advair Diskus medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Symptoms of overdose may include Tremors, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Rapid or irregular heartbeat, Angina / chest pain, Seizures, Fatigue etc.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And also carry an identification card with your name, the type and dose of the Advair Diskus medication you are taking, and also your prescriber’s name and address.

Always read the Patient Information every time you buy a refill as it may have some new information. Your doctor will be able to tell you more about the side effects and drug interactions with Advair Diskus.

Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own.

Remember to take the Advair Diskus contents within a one month after opening the moisture-protective foil wrap or before the expiration date, whichever comes first.
And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed dose as Salmeterol can lead to fatal results. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

This combination is effective in preventing an asthmatic attack, or the worsening of COPD, which may manifest itself as emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis.

However, it will not help if taken when an attack of asthma has already started, or if the COPD symptoms have become severe.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The Advair Diskus i.e. Fluticasone medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Advair Diskus i.e. Fluticasone medication.

Advair Diskus should be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Advair Diskus in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Advair Diskus:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, liver disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, bronchospasm, glaucoma, low or high blood pressure, a seizure disorder, a weak immune system, tuberculosis, asthma attacks, other bone disease, infection especially fungal infections or any severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or smoke.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Advair Diskus medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Advair Diskus medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Advair Diskus medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course as this drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Advair Diskus medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course with Advair Diskus medication as it can add more dizziness. Also avoid operating heavy machineries or driving activities, until you become sure about how your body reacts to this medication.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Advair Diskus.

11. Remember to take the Advair Diskus contents within a one month after opening the moisture-protective foil wrap or before the expiration date, whichever comes first.

12. Carry an identification card with your name the type and dose of the Advair Diskus medication you are taking and your prescriber’s name and address.