Highlights
- Fluticasone-salmeterol is a combination of a steroid and bronchodilator used to open up the airways in the lungs for people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Fluticasone-salmeterol is available in an inhaler form, as either an aerosol or powder.
- Fluticasone-salmeterol is not a rescue medication but a maintenance drug used to improve quality of life.
- People with suppressed immune systems or a high risk of infection will need to be especially careful when using fluticasone-salmeterol.
Millions of Americans experience asthma and COPD, and fluticasone-salmeterol can be a powerful tool to help them breathe easier. Learn how fluticasone-salmeterol works, how it’s measured and administered, its possible side effects, and getting the lowest price for fluticasone-salmeterol.
What Is Fluticasone-Salmeterol and What Is It Used For?
Fluticasone-salmeterol is a combination drug used to help prevent asthma attacks and help limit flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s also sold under the brand names Advair, AirDuo, and Wixela Inhub.
How Does Fluticasone-Salmeterol Work?
Fluticasone is a steroid which helps reduce airway inflammation. Inflammation is usually caused by the immune system, and steroids help limit inflammation by suppressing immune activity temporarily.
Salmeterol is a bronchodilator that opens up the airways. It binds to adrenaline receptors in the airway before the hormone can get there, preventing it from constricting the lungs.
For people with asthma, fluticasone-salmeterol is considered a short-term medication, while people taking it for COPD are generally using it as a long-term term treatment.
What Formulas Are Available for Fluticasone-Salmeterol?
Fluticasone-salmeterol is inhaled, and is available as either an aerosol or a powder. The formula you’re prescribed will depend upon your specific needs and lung capacity.
Fluticasone-Salmeterol Dosage and Administration
Fluticasone-salmeterol is always inhaled, and exact dosage will depend on both the formulation and what you’re using it to treat. Read any instructions provided with the medication carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for clarification if there’s something you don’t understand.
Dosing can also change over time, particularly after medical treatment or an adverse event such as a serious asthma attack. If you’re not sure if your dosage has changed, contact your doctor. Don’t take fluticasone-salmeterol until you’ve confirmed the correct dosage.
How Should I Take Fluticasone-Salmeterol?
Follow the instructions exactly as given by your doctor or pharmacist, and be sure to take fluticasone-salmeterol at the same time each day. After each use, rinse out your mouth with water, taking care not to swallow.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Fluticasone-Salmeterol?
The most common side effects of fluticasone-salmeterol are:
- Headache
- Muscle and bone pain
- Back pain
- Nausea
- Ongoing coughing
- A hoarse or deepened voice
- Irritation in the throat
- Cold symptoms (sneezing, sore throat, stuffy nose)
Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following, more-serious side effects:
- Breathing problems such as wheezing or choking after taking the medication
- Fever or chills paired with a productive cough (with mucus) and shortness of breath
- Chest pain with a fast or irregular heartbeat, a severe headache, or pounding in your neck or ears
- Tremors and a nervous feeling
- Vision impairment, including blurry vision, tunnel vision, pain in the eyes, or halos around light sources
- Any sign of thrush, especially sores or white patches in your mouth or throat and difficulty swallowing
- Any sign of high blood sugar, including unusual thirst, more frequent urination, a dry mouth, and sweet or fruity breath
- Any signs of low potassium, including leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeat, a fluttering feeling in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness or limpness
- Signs of a hormone imbalance, such as increasing fatigue, lightheadedness or dizziness, and nausea/vomiting
What Should I Avoid When Taking Fluticasone-Salmeterol?
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking fluticasone-salmeterol. You also should be careful around people who are sick, especially if they have a highly infectious disease, like measles. If you have any sort of exposure, contact your doctor right away.
Don’t take a second bronchodilator medication unless a doctor specifically tells you to do so.
Remember that fluticasone-salmeterol is not a rescue medication, and you should use your emergency inhaler for any asthma attacks.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Fluticasone-Salmeterol?
Skip any missed doses and take the next dose at your usual time. Never take two doses at once.
What Should I Do If I Overdose on Fluticasone-Salmeterol?
If you accidentally overdose on fluticasone-salmeterol, or experience any of the following symptoms, call 911 or otherwise seek immediate medical help.
- Shortness of breath that doesn’t abate or get worse
- Pain in the chest
- Elevated heart rate
- Shaking or jittering
Who Should Not Take Fluticasone-Salmeterol?
If you’re allergic to milk powder, do not take fluticasone-salmeterol unless advised to by a doctor.
Before taking fluticasone-salmeterol, inform your doctor if you’ve ever had or currently have:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Seizures
- Diabetes
- Any food or drug allergy
- Weakened immune system
- Low blood potassium or electrolyte imbalance due to blood pressure
- Any active or ongoing infection (bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic)
- Osteoporosis or other bone loss issue
- Any disorder of the thyroid
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
Are There Any Potential Drug Interactions With Fluticasone-Salmeterol?
There are several classes of medications that may interact with fluticasone-salmeterol, usually affecting how much of the medication is in your body.
- Antivirals, antibiotics, and antifungals. Due to how these drugs operate, they can keep fluticasone-salmeterol in your body for longer, making side effects more likely. If you’re managing an infection, ask your doctor about which medications are safe for you.
- Tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors. These two antidepressant drug classes can cause heart rhythm problems when combined with fluticasone-salmeterol. Some herbal supplements contain MAO inhibitors, and these should be phased out before taking fluticasone-salmeterol.
- Beta blockers. Since these use the same channel as salmeterol, combining them increases the risk of airway constriction.
- Diuretics (water pills). Fluticasone-salmeterol may reduce your blood potassium, and combining it with diuretics can increase potassium loss.
It’s not possible to identify all potential drug interactions. Be sure all of your providers are aware of every medication and supplement you take. If you experience any new or unusual symptoms after beginning any new medication, discuss them with your provider right away.
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Please note that this information is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication.