This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Advair Diskus; Advair HFA; AirDuo Digihaler [DSC]; AirDuo RespiClick 113/14; AirDuo RespiClick 232/14; AirDuo RespiClick 55/14; Wixela Inhub
Brand Names: Canada
Advair; Advair 100 Diskus; Advair 250 Diskus; Advair 500 Diskus; PMS-Fluticasone/Salmeterol DPI; Wixela Inhub
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat asthma.
- Do not use this drug to treat intense flare-ups of shortness of breath. Use a rescue inhaler. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- If your child has been given this drug for some other reason, talk with the doctor about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about giving this drug to your child.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
All products:
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child is using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
- If your child is taking any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, depression, and others. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug.
All dry powder inhaler products:
- If your child is allergic to milk, talk with the doctor.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- It may take 1 week to see the full effect.
- If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with the doctor. This drug can raise blood sugar.
- Call the doctor right away if your child has breathing problems that get worse, if the rescue inhaler does not work as well, or if your child needs to use the rescue inhaler more often.
- Do not give more of this drug or have your child use it more often than you were told. Deaths have happened when too much of this type of drug has been taken. Talk with your child’s doctor.
- When changing from an oral steroid to another form of steroid, there may be severe and sometimes deadly side effects. Signs like weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, upset stomach, throwing up, confusion, or low blood sugar may happen. Call the doctor right away if your child has any of these signs. If your child has a bad injury, has surgery, or any type of infection, they may need extra doses of oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your child’s body deal with these stresses. Have your child wear medical alert ID (identification).
- Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts, glaucoma, or weak bones (osteoporosis). Talk with your child’s doctor.
- Your child may need to have a bone density test. Talk with the doctor.
- Have your child get an eye exam as you have been told by the doctor.
- Your child may have more chance of getting infections. Have your child wash hands often. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
- Chickenpox and measles can be very bad or even deadly in some people taking steroid drugs like this drug. Avoid having your child near anyone with chickenpox or measles if your child has not had these health problems before. If your child has been exposed to chickenpox or measles, talk with the doctor.
- This drug may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Signs of low potassium levels like muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
- Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Fast or abnormal heartbeat.
- Feeling nervous and excitable.
- Shakiness.
- Change in the way your child acts.
- Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Choking.
- Change in voice.
- Seizures.
- Bone pain.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- Vaginal itching or discharge.
- Weight gain.
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
- Redness or white patches in mouth or throat.
- This drug can cause very bad breathing problems right after your child takes a dose. Sometimes, this may be life-threatening. If your child has trouble breathing, breathing that is worse, wheezing, or coughing after using this drug, have your child use a rescue inhaler and get medical help right away.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Headache.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Throat irritation.
- Signs of a common cold.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All products:
- For breathing in only.
- Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
- Give this drug at the same time of day.
- Have your child rinse out the mouth after each use. Do not let your child swallow the rinse water. Have your child spit it out.
- If your child is using more than 1 inhaled drug, ask your child’s doctor which inhaled drug to give first.
Inhaler (aerosol):
- Shake well before use.
- Prepare the inhaler before first use, by spraying 4 test sprays into the air away from the face. If the inhaler has not been used for more than 4 weeks or if it is dropped, spray 2 sprays into the air away from the face. Shake well before each test spray.
- Put the cap back on after your child is done using a dose.
- This drug may catch on fire. Do not use near an open flame or while smoking.
- Some inhalers have a dose counter to keep track of how many doses are left. If your inhaler has a dose counter, throw the inhaler away when the dose counter reaches “0.”
All dry powder inhaler products:
- Do not prepare a dose until your child needs to take it. If you prepare a dose and close the inhaler before your child takes a dose, it will waste the drug and may damage the inhaler.
- Do not let your child breathe out into the inhaler. Close the inhaler after giving a dose.
- Do not give your child an extra dose, even if your child did not taste or feel the powder.
- Do not take the device apart or wash it. Do not use it with a spacer. Be sure your child does not breathe out into the device.
- Clean mouthpiece by wiping with a dry tissue or cloth. Do not wash or put in water.
- This inhaler has a dose counter to keep track of how many doses are left. Throw away the inhaler when the dose counter reaches “0,” 1 month after opening the foil pouch, or after the expiration date, whichever comes first.
Digital dry powder inhaler:
- This product keeps track of inhaler event information and may be used with a smartphone app. This product can be used without being connected to the smartphone app. Be sure you know how to use this product and the smartphone app. Follow what the doctor has told you to do. Read the package insert for details. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
All products:
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Inhaler (aerosol):
- Store with the mouthpiece down.
- Protect from heat or open flame. Do not puncture or burn even if it seems empty.
All dry powder inhaler products:
- Store in foil pouch until ready for use.
- Protect from heat, cold, and light.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-02-16
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