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| Pronunciation |
|
 (floo
TIK a sone & sal ME te
role) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Advair™
Diskus® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Beta2 Agonist; Corticosteroid, Oral Inhaler |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- When switching from an oral steroid to an inhaled one there can be
problems. Symptoms such as weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
inability to think clearly, or low blood sugar may occur. Call healthcare
provider right away if any of these occur. If you have a serious accident and
are injured, have surgery, or have any type of infection you may need extra
doses of oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these
stresses. Carry a warning card saying that you may need extra steroids at
certain times.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to fluticasone, salmeterol, or any other part
of the medicine.
- If you have an asthma
attack.
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of chronic asthma to prevent
attacks.
- It is not helpful during an asthma attack.
- The biggest benefit may be seen after 1 week of
use.
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| How does it work? |
|
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- Salmeterol works at sites in the airways to relax the muscle and
improve oxygen delivery.
- Fluticasone prevents and reduces irritation in the airways of the
lungs. It acts to decrease
inflammation.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- For inhaling (puffing) only by an inhaler.
- Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Using the
inhaler the right way is very important.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it at
a high dose for a long time. Medicine should be slowly
decreased.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Inhale a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear disease medical alert identification for lung disease.
- Use caution in heart disease, abnormal heartbeats, high blood
pressure, seizure disorders, and over-active thyroid conditions. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Do not use for acute asthma attacks or emergency situations.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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|
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Cough.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Watch for changes in breathing. Is breathing better, worse, or the
same?
- Use of short-acting beta agonist inhaler. Increased use may indicate
worsening asthma. Call healthcare provider.
- If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
- Monitor your asthma condition with peak flow meter.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- If you are exposed to chickenpox or measles.
- Increased use of short-acting beta agonist inhaler. Increased use may
indicate worsening asthma.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater
than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in
color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or
pain.
- Feeling weak, tired, irritable, trembling, having rapid heartbeats,
confusion, sweating, dizziness, especially if you missed a dose or recently
stopped this medicine.
- Very nervous and excitable.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a dry place at room temperature. Protect from direct heat or
sunlight.
- Throw away 1 month after removal from foil
pouch.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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