fluticasone and salmeterol oral inhaler, Advair Diskus (cont.)

Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if fluticasone propionate is secreted in breast milk. Other medications in the same class as fluticasone propionate are secreted into breast milk, but it is not known whether the small amounts that may appear in the milk have effects on nursing infants. In rats, salmeterol is excreted in milk. Therefore, caution should be exercised when salmeterol is administered to nursing women.

SIDE EFFECTS: Upper respiratory tract infections occur in 20%-25% of patients using Advair Diskus. Headaches occur in about 1 in 8 patients who use it. Other potential adverse events include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth or throat candidiasis, and musculoskeletal pain. Use of long acting agents like salmeterol, an active ingredient in Advair Diskus, may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Therefore, Advair Diskus should only be used in patients who's asthma is uncontrolled by other agents, and who are using long-term asthma-controlling medications such as an inhaled corticosteroid.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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