Advair - A Better Treatment For Asthma

Advair: An Introduction

For asthma patients, Advair can rightly be called good news. It targets two main problems faced by asthma patients, one is constriction-the tightening of muscles surrounding your airways and the other is inflammation-the swelling and irritation of your airways.

Constriction and inflammation cause the airways to narrow and reduce airflow into the lungs which may result in wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. Advair is also used to treat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis. Thus, if you have been suffering from asthma symptoms and other breathing problems, Advair is the drug for you.

Advair is a combination drug containing an effective inhaled corticosteroid (steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex or synthesized, given as drugs to reduce swelling) called Fluticasone propionate which reduces the inflammation in the airways. The other component is an effective inhaled long-acting bronchodilator Salmeterol that works by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways. Bronchodilators are medicines that are breathed in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes of the lungs. Thus, a combination of these two medicines helps to relive asthma symptoms.

Important Information About Advair Diskus

• Advair Diskus is a powder form of Fluticasone and Salmeterol that comes with a special inhaler device preloaded with blister packs containing measured doses of this medicine. The device opens and loads a blister each time you use the inhaler.
• Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or use it for longer period of time than recommended by your doctor. 
• Do not use Advair to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms or stop them. In such a case, you can use another, faster-acting inhalation medication to treat an asthma attack as recommended by your doctor.
• Seek medical attention if you think that your asthma medication is not working as effectively. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. If you use a peak flow meter at home, call your doctor if your numbers are lower than normal.
• If you use this medication to treat COPD, do not use the medicine for longer than 6 months unless advised by your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you suffer from a heart problem or high blood pressure. Some people may experience increased blood pressure, heart rate or changes in heart rhythm due to use of Advair Diskus.

Facts about Advair Diskus

Built-In Dosage Counter

Advair Diskus has a built-in dosage counter that helps you to keep track of your doses and refills. The dose counter begins at 60 and decreases by one number with each dose you take. The last five numbers on the dosage counter indicated in red color, which serve as a reminder for you to refill the prescription soon.

Simple dosing and long-lasting relief

The dosage of Advair Diskus is one inhalation in the morning and one inhalation at night. It is recommended that there should be approximately a 12 hour gap between two doses.

Convenient asthma treatment

Advair Diskus treats the two main components of asthma, airway constriction and inflammation. Thus, it makes normal breathing easier and effective.

Constriction and inflammation of the airways can result in serious symptoms, cutting off the flow of air to the lungs causing wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Advair helps to prevent such symptoms and helps you in easier breathing and inhalation.