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February 10, 2012

fluticasone and salmeterol oral inhaler, Advair Diskus

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GENERIC NAME: fluticasone propionate and salmeterol oral inhaler

BRAND NAME: Advair Diskus

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Advair Diskus is a combination of inhaled drugs that is used to treat asthma and chronic bronchitis. In patients with asthma, the airways (bronchioles) through which air moves in and out of the lungs can be narrowed by accumulation of mucus, spasm of the muscles that surround these airways, or swelling of the lining of the airways due to inflammation. Airway narrowing leads to symptoms of shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and congestion. Medications used in treating asthma include those that open airways, called bronchodilators, and those that reduce inflammation.

Advair Diskus contains a combination of salmeterol, a bronchodilator of the beta-2 agonist type, and fluticasone propionate, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid. Beta-2 agonists are medications that attach to beta-2 receptors on the smooth muscle cells that surround the airways, causing the muscle cells to relax and open the airways. Fluticasone propionate is a synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid of the glucocorticoid family which is related to the natural hormone, cortisol or hydrocortisone, produced by the adrenal glands. Glucocorticoid steroids have potent anti-inflammatory actions. In asthmatic patients, the suppression of inflammation within the airways reduces the swelling caused by inflammation that narrows the airways. At the same time, mucus is reduced. When used in lower doses, very little inhaled fluticasone propionate is absorbed into the body. When higher doses are used, fluticasone is absorbed and may cause side effects elsewhere in the body.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PREPARATIONS: Advair Diskus is available in three different forms containing the same amount of salmeterol, 50 mcg, but differing in the amount of fluticasone propionate. 100/50 provides 100 mcg of fluticasone propionate, 250/50 provides 250 mcg of fluticasone propionate, and 500/50 contains 500 mcg of fluticasone propionate per inspiration.

STORAGE: Advair Diskus should be stored at 36-86 F (2.2-30 C). It should be kept away from heat or flames and should not be punctured; it should not be frozen or placed in direct sunlight.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Advair Diskus is used for the treatment of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis. Its action starts within 30 to 60 minutes and can last more than 12 hours. Advair Diskus is generally not needed in patients whose asthma can be controlled easily with infrequent administration of short acting inhalers. Advair Diskus should not be used to treat acute episodes of asthma or COPD.

DOSING: The recommended regimen for asthma in individuals 12 years and older is one inhalation twice daily (morning and evening) approximately 12 hours apart. The lowest effective strength should be used and the maximum dose is 500/50 mcg twice daily. For children 4 to 11 years old the recommended treatment is one inhalation of 100/50 mcg twice daily.

The recommended regimen for COPD is one inhalation of 250/50 mcg twice daily. Higher doses are not more effective.

The Diskus device is held in one hand with the thumb of the other hand placed on the thumb-grip. The thumb is then pulled away as far as the device allows until the mouthpiece seems to click into position. With the Diskus then held horizontally and with the mouthpiece towards the patient, the lever is then slid away as far as it can go until it clicks. The patient breathes out as far as comfortable, then placing his mouth to the mouthpiece, breathes in quickly and deeply and holds his breath for about ten seconds. The patient then washes his or her mouth without swallowing after inhalation.




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Suggested Reading on fluticasone and salmeterol oral inhaler, Advair Diskus by Our Doctors

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      • Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include frequent cough with mucus, lack of energy, wheezing, and possible fever. Treatment may require medication such as bronchial inhalers and predinsone. Supportive treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms with fever reducers, cough suppressants, and rest. Treatment may be more aggressive in patients with pre-existing conditions such as empyema, COPD, or cigarette smoking.
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fluticasone and salmeterol oral inhaler, Advair Diskus

Long-Term Control Asthma Medications

Doctors and asthma specialists recognize that asthma has two main components: airway inflammation and acute bronchoconstriction (constriction of the airways). Research has shown that reducing and preventing further inflammation is the key to preventing asthma attacks, hospitalizations, and death from asthma.

Long-term control asthma medications are taken daily over an extended period of time to achieve and maintain control of persistent asthma (asthma that causes symptoms more than twice a week and frequent attacks that affect activity).

The most effective long-term control asthma medications are those that stop airway inflammation (anti-inflammatory drugs), but there are others that are often used along with anti-inflammatory drugs to enhance their effect.

Long-term control asthma medications include:

  • Corticosteroids (The inhaled form is the anti-inflammatory dru...

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