Fluticasone and Salmeterol - Medication Detail

Medication Type:  Long Term Control, should be taken every day as prescribed

Generic Names:  Fluticasone and Salmeterol

Brand Names:  Advair Diskus®, Advair® HFA, AirDuo RespiClick®, AirDuo Digihaler®, Wixela Inhub®

Description:  This medication is an inhaler used two times every day for long term control of asthma symptoms. It prevents irritation and swelling in the airways and causes muscles in the airways to relax, opening them for easier breathing.

Delivery

DPI (dry powder inhaler), MDI (metered dose inhaler)

Spacer

  • Advair Diskus cannot be used with a spacer.
  • Advair HFA can be used with a spacer.
  • AirDuo RespiClick and AirDuo Digihaler cannot be used with a spacer.

Dosage

Advair Diskus®: Adults and children ≥4 years of age: one inhalation twice daily, 12 hours apart

Advair HFA®: Adults and children ≥12 years of age: two inhalations twice daily, 12 hours apart

AirDuo RespiClick®: Adults and children ≥12 years of age: one inhalation twice daily, 12 hours apart

AirDuo Digihaler®: Adults and children ≥ 12 years of age: one inhalation twice daily, 12 hours apart

Wixela Inhub®: Adults and children ≥4 years of age: one inhalation twice daily, 12 hours apart

Proper Use

  • See instructions for proper use.
  • After using, rinse mouth with water and spit.

Advair Diskus and Wixela Inhub: After removing from box and foil pouch, write the “Pouch opened” and “Use by” dates on the label on top of the Diskus/Inhub. The “Use by” date is 1 month from date of opening the pouch. Every time the lever is pushed back, a dose is ready to be inhaled. Do not close or tilt the Diskus/Inhub after the lever is pushed back. Do not play with the lever or move the lever more than once. The dose indicator tells you how many doses are left. When the numbers 5 to 0 appear in red, only a few doses remain. Discard device 1 month after you remove it from the foil pouch or when the dose counter reads “0” (whichever comes first). Rinse mouth with water after use and spit to reduce risk of throat and mouth infection.

Advair HFA: Shake well for 5 seconds before each spray. Prepare inhaler for use before using for the first time with 4 test sprays (into air and away from face). If canister is dropped or not used for >4 weeks, spray 2 test sprays into the air before use. Call pharmacy for a refill when the dose counter reads “020”. Discard device when the dose counter reads “000”. Do not use the “float test” to test if canister is empty. Use dose counter to check number of doses remaining in the inhaler. Do not spray in eyes. Rinse mouth with water after use and spit to reduce risk of throat and mouth infection. For proper inhaler technique visit our inhaler page.

AirDuo RespiClick: After removing from box and foil pouch, the RespiClick is only good for 1 month, so write the date opened on the label. The dose indicator tells you how many doses are left. Every time the mouthpiece cap is opened and closed, the dose counter will count down. Do not open the mouthpiece cap unless you are ready to use a dose. When the numbers 20 to 0 appear in red, only a few doses remain. Discard device 1 month after you remove it from the foil pouch or when the dose counter reads “0” (whichever comes first). Rinse mouth with water after use and spit to reduce risk of throat and mouth infection.

AirDuo Digihaler: There is an electronic module built onto the top of the inhaler that records and stores information about inhaler events. It sends information through Bluetooth® wireless technology to a mobile application (App). AirDuo Digihaler does not have an activation button or medicine canister. When you open the cap, a dose will be activated. Do not open the cap unless you are ready for your next dose. You will hear a “click” when the cap is opened all the way. Close the yellow cap firmly when you are done with the dose. When you have 20 doses, the color of the numbers on the dose counter will change to red and you should call your pharmacy for a refill.

Missed Dose

  • Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
  • Don’t take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Precautions

  • Do NOT use this drug to treat an asthma attack.
  • If you have been taking this drug for many weeks, talk with your doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop this drug.
  • Avoid being near anyone with chickenpox or measles.
  • Talk with your doctor if you have glaucoma or cataracts, high blood sugar (diabetes), a fast heartbeat, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, soft and brittle bones (osteoporosis), overactive thyroid, seizures, if you are being treated for any type of infection, or if you have a severe milk allergy.
  • Do not drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

Common Interactions

Some of the medications Advair or AirDuo interacts with are nonselective beta-blockers (levobunolol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol), itraconazole, natalizumab, pimecrolimus, tacrolimus (topical), and telaprevir.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your medications and health problems so they can check for any interactions.

Possible Side Effects

Possible side effects include headache, pharyngitis, throat irritation, dizziness, nausea, and increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections.

Tell your doctor or seek medical attention if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction (rash, hives, wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing or swelling of the face), any signs of an infection, an abnormal heartbeat, or very bad headache.

Proper Storage

  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from heat, light, and water.
  • Do not store in a bathroom.
  • Advair Diskus®: Throw away after 1 month or when the indicator reads zero, whichever comes first.
  • Advair® HFA: Throw away when the indicator reads zero. Do not use the “float test” to test if canister is empty. Keep inhaler away from open flame. Do not puncture canister. Do not store in extreme temperatures, such as in a parked car.
  • AirDuo RespiClick: Throw away when the indicator reads zero or one month after opening, whichever comes first.
  • AirDuo Digihaler: Discard the inhaler after 30 days of opening the foil pouch or once the dose counter reads “0”, whichever comes first.