How it works
Advair Diskus works by relaxing the muscles in the airways.
Guidelines for Usage
Follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor or as mentioned in the instruction booklet/product label. Always use only as prescribed. Never exceed the dosage. .
Read the instructions carefully if it is the first time you are using Advair Diskus.
Sit on a flat and level place to use this medication. Now hold it in one hand and with the thumb of the other hand push away on the thumb grip until you hear a click sound and the mouthpiece clicks into position.
Moving the lever multiple times or fiddling with the lever may cause an unwanted wastage of the medication.
Now hold it away from your mouth and breathe out completely but not into the inhaler. Now keep the inhaler mouthpiece to your lips and breathe in deeply. Remove it and try and hold your breath for as long as you can do it comfortably.
Now close the device the same way that you opened it by pushing against the thumb grip.
Advair Diskus is a very fine powder that has no or very little taste. Most people get a feeling that Advair Diskus was not administered at all which leads them to using multiple doses. Do not use it multiple times even if you do not get a taste of the medicine. If you think that Advair Diskus is not being administered, then speak to your doctor.
It is important to rinse your mouth with water after using Advair Diskus. You must never swallow the rinse solution. If you have been prescribed other similar medications, then please wait for some time between the two.
Your doses of Advair Diskus must be taken at least 12 hours apart from each other. Throw Advair Diskus away exactly 1 month after you remove it from the foil pouch, or if you exhaust the dose and the dose indicator reads ‘0’.
NOTE: Use only if prescribed to you and intended for your use. Do not share with others.
Missed Dose
It is common for people to forget their dosage times and miss doses.
Do not panic if you have missed a dose.
Instead, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not double up or take more than what the doctor has prescribed.
How and where do I store Advair Diskus
The medicine label contains detailed instructions regarding safe storage of the medication. Most medicines are best stored at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Some medications may require to be refrigerated. Please check the product label.
Keep it away from the reach of children. Ensure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight or moisture. Ask your pharmacist about safely disposing off medication that is past expiry date.
Safety Information
Safety Information/ Warning Precautions
Discuss your medical history with your healthcare provider before you start using any new medication..
Ensure that you mention the following:
• Any prior serious ailment, lifestyle disease or surgery
• All the prescription drugs, OTC health supplements, herbal supplements that you are using currently
• Your alcohol intake and whether you smoke or not
• Any history of a known allergic reaction to prescription drugs or food
• 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;
• 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).
To be avoided
You must avoid using Advair Diskus if it you are allergic to any ingredient in it or to milk proteins
• Or if 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.
Using Alcohol
Advair Diskus is known to cause drowsiness or dizziness. Your vision may be blurred and your judgement affected if you consume alcohol with this medication. So, avoid using alcohol while using Advair Diskus.
These effects may also get aggravated due to hot weather or fever or severe exercise. So, be cautious when you stand up after a long time from a sitting or lying position. If you feel giddy then lie down immediately and seek medical help.
Known drug & food interactions
Advair Diskus is known to react with medications like Diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide) or long-acting inhaled bronchodilators (eg, salmeterol inhalation powder, formoterol inhalation powder), Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), 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).
Information for Pregnant Women
The Drug is categorized under FDA pregnancy category C
Discuss with your healthcare provider about the potential risk that it may pose to your baby before using the drug. Some medications may be found in breast milk so speak to your child’s doctor to rule out any possibilities of risk.