What Is Advair Diskus Used For? What Are the Potential Side Effects?

Advair Diskus is commonly used to help people with asthma or COPD breathe more easily and manage symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. It achieves this by combining two medications that work in tandem to reduce airway inflammation while keeping airways open. If you take it regularly and as prescribed, this medication can work to prevent flare-ups and improve your daily breathing.

Is your asthma or COPD interfering with everyday life? If so, you’re not alone, but you need to understand why the medication you’re prescribed matters more than ever.

One such medication is Advair Diskus.

If you are one of the 20.2 million people in the U.S. over 18 who suffer from asthma, your doctor may prescribe Advair Diskus to manage breathing symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. This medication provides long-term control, not quick relief.

That’s why you need to understand how it works to stay prepared. You also need to understand what it’s used for, along with potential side effects, and why you’ll still need a rescue inhaler.  

What Is Advair Diskus?

Advair Diskus is used to prevent and control symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing caused by lung disease or asthma. Some lung diseases are COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

It has two medications, salmeterol and fluticasone. Salmeterol is considered a long-acting beta-agonist.

It opens the airways in your lungs to make breathing easier. Fluticasone is considered a corticosteroid. It reduces swelling and irritation in your airways.

It’s used for adults and children over 4 years old.

Before Taking This Medication

You shouldn’t take it if you’re allergic to milk, salmeterol, or fluticasone. If you have an asthma attack or severe COPD symptoms, you also shouldn’t take it.

Speak with your doctor if you have  ever had:

• Food or drug allergies
• Cataracts or glaucoma
• Osteoporosis
• A weak immune system
• Thyroid disorder
• Kidney or liver disease
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Seizures
• Chronic infections

Since fluticasone can make your immune system weaker, make sure to talk to your doctor about any infections you’ve recently had. Speak with your doctor if you’re pregnant before starting this medication.

Less Common Symptoms

There are some less common symptoms. They are:

• Muscle pain
• Tenderness or pain around the cheekbones or eyes
• Stuffy nose
• Sleep problems
• White patches in the mouth or tongue
• Mucus produced during coughing
• Inflammation or irritation of the eyes

If you’re breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before taking this medication. Asthma attacks and other symptoms might lead to more serious complications for the baby than the actual medication, so always speak with your doctor about your best option.

Usage Instructions

Always use all of your medications as prescribed to you. Make sure to follow all of the instructions on your medication label. Seek medical attention immediately if your symptoms become worse.

If you’re using Advair Diskus, it’s the powder form of salmeterol and fluticasone. It comes with a special inhaler device with pre-loaded blister packs.

Always assist a child with this device and don’t allow them to use it unattended. Always rinse your mouth without swallowing after using your inhaler.

Keep in mind, your dose could always change depending on asthma attacks, surgery, or infections.

Never stop using it immediately, and speak with your doctor about tapering off the medication. Always keep your medication away from sunlight, heat, and moisture.

Store it at room temperature. Follow all the storage instructions that came with your medication. Don’t stop taking this medication unless your doctor tells you to.

If you’re 12 and older, dosing is Advair 250/50, 1 inhalation twice a day, 12 hours apart. The recommended maximum dosage is 500/50 twice daily.

For patients 4-11 years old, the dosage is 1 inhalation 100/50 twice daily, 12 hours apart.

Positive Effects

While you can see improvement in your asthma control within 30 minutes, you may only notice the maximum benefit after using it for 1 week or longer.

If after 2 weeks you don’t notice an improvement, speak with your doctor about taking a stronger dose.

Possible Side Effects

As with any medication, there are always possible side effects that can occur. Advair Diskus should never be used to treat acute symptoms of COPD or asthma.

Possible side effects are:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Upset stomach
• Sinus pain
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• Dry mouth
• Yeast infections of the throat or mouth
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Flushed skin
• Fractures
• Unexplained weight loss
• Hives
• Sores or ulcers in the mouth or on the lips
• Loud breathing
• Swollen glands
• Tearing
• Bleeding or bruising
• Vomiting
• Eye pain
• Fever
• The feeling of pins and needles

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. This isn’t a complete list of the side effects, so if you notice any different symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Speak with your doctor about other medications you’re taking, since they can interact with certain medications.

Salmeterol and fluticasone can interact with HIV medications, MAO inhibitors, antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungal medications, diuretics, beta-blockers, or amiodarone.

If you have COPD and you notice shortness of breath between doses, an inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist is recommended for relief.

Side Effects for Children

This medication can affect growth. If you think your child’s growth has slowed down, speak with their doctor.

Ask your doctor or online pharmacist for a complete list of side effects. 

Precautions During Use of This Medication

Ensure you avoid others who are sick or have an infection. If you were exposed to measles or chickenpox, contact your doctor for preventative measures.

Don’t use another long-acting inhaled bronchodilator unless your doctor specifically tells you to.

Overdose Instructions

As with any medication, you want to avoid overdosing to avoid complications. If you inadvertently overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

Some overdose symptoms could include:

• Shortness of breath
• Fast heart rate
• Chest pain
• Feeling shaky

Never share your medication with others. If you ever miss a dose, skip the dose that was missed and take your next dose at the regular time.

Never take 2 doses at once.

FAQs

What Is Advair Diskus Used For?

Patients use Advair Diskus to control ongoing asthma and COPD symptoms. It’s not used for sudden breathing emergencies. This medication works over time to calm inflammation in the airways.

From there, it can keep them open more each day. If you have asthma or chronic lung conditions, this medication may reduce flare-ups when taken regularly.

You can expect to feel your breathing become more predictable. Keep in mind that this medication doesn’t replace a rescue inhaler.

It’s meant to support your breathing with long-term control.

Is Advair Diskus a Steroid?

Yes, one of the medications in Advair Diskus is a steroid called fluticasone. This is because fluticasone helps reduce swelling and irritation inside the airways.

The second medication, salmeterol, helps to keep your airways relaxed. When combined, these two medications are meant to improve breathing.

You have to use them consistently, however — not just once in a while.

How Quickly Does Advair Diskus Start Working?

Some people notice breathing feels easier within about 30 minutes. Please understand that full results don’t usually happen right away.

This is because Advair Diskus is a maintenance medication. This means that it builds effectiveness over time.

For many patients, the biggest improvement shows up after several days or even a week of steady use.

Can Advair Diskus Be Used Every Day?

Doctors prescribe Advair Diskus for daily use. This is because skipping doses or stopping suddenly can make symptoms return or worsen.

Even if you feel better, it’s still important to keep taking it as prescribed unless your doctor tells you otherwise. With this type of medication, what matters is being consistent.

Can Kids Use Advair Diskus?

Yes, Advair Diskus can be prescribed for children ages four and older. This depends on the child’s condition and the dosage recommended by their doctor.

This is because inhaled steroids can affect growth in some cases, so doctors usually monitor children closely while they’re using them. Always follow the dosing instructions exactly.

Are There Common Mistakes When Using Advair Diskus?

Yes, and they’re easy to make. One common issue is forgetting to rinse your mouth after each use.

This is because leftover medication can lead to yeast infections in the mouth or throat. Another mistake is trying to use Advair Diskus for sudden breathing trouble instead of a rescue inhaler.

How Long Is It Safe to Take Advair?

Many people take Advair Diskus long-term. This is because asthma and COPD are often ongoing conditions that need consistent management.

When used under medical supervision, long-term use is common and generally considered safe. Regular check-ins with your doctor help make sure the medication is still the right fit.

Taking Advair Diskus for Relief

Always consult with your doctor before starting or stopping any medication. Doctors prescribe Advair Diskus to treat COPD and Asthma.

Managing asthma or COPD is hard enough without having to worry about how you’ll afford or access it. Fortunately, Canadian Pharmacy Online offers a streamlined online experience, complete with virtual doctor consultations if you need a prescription.

Our goal is to help you feel better with access to affordable medicine. Are you ready to finally have relief and breathe easier? Shop our available medications today.