Brand Names:
Generic Names:
- Fluticasone/Salmeterol diskus
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You have been prescribed the two ingredient product (Advair), it delivers a
dose of a long-acting bronchodilator (salmeterol) together with the
fluticasone dose. The salmeterol in the Advair has been added to help the
fluticasone prevent recurrences of asthma attacks in the long-term. The
combination product is not used for the treatment of acute asthma attacks.
Use your regular short-acting bronchodilator for this (e.g. salbutamol) or
consult with your physician.
Fluticasone is an anti-inflammatory steroid that is inhaled into the lungs
to control asthma.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is near the
time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your
regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Do not use more often than prescribed. To do so increases the risk of
developing side effects. Do not stop taking it without consulting a
physician.
In order to be effective, fluticasone must be taken every day at regular
intervals. Although improvement may occur within the first day of
treatment, the onset of effect is expected within 4-7 days and maximal
benefit may take 1-2 weeks or more.
Before you have any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency
treatment, tell the physician or dentist that you are on this medication.
Do not stop treatment abruptly unless your physician has instructed you to
do so, as this could result in rebound worsening of your condition. The
dose is usually gradually reduced before this medication is stopped.
Rarely, symptoms of steroid withdrawal may occur if the medication is
stopped too quickly (fatigue, muscle or joint aches).
Contact your physician if:
(a) You are injured, or are going through a period of stress;
(b) You have asthma attacks that cannot be controlled by
bronchodilator medications, your asthma seems worse, or your nasal
condition does not improve after 3 weeks or worsens;
(c) Breathing difficulty occurs;
(d) Signs of infection occur (e.g. chest pain, chills, fever, cough,
congestion in nose, sinuses, or chest, change in sputum colour or
amount, sneezing, sore throat etc.);
(e) You develop creamy white patches inside the mouth;
(f) You notice unusual symptoms such as fast or irregular heartbeat,
change in weight or appetite, increased thirst, lethargy,
weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, skin rash, acne, muscle or
joint pain, nausea or vomiting, fullness of the face, back pain,
menstrual changes, unexpected change in stool colour or bowel
habits, frequent urination, unexplained nosebleeds, change in
mood;
(g) Nasal irritation or sneezing persist following intranasal
fluticasone;
(h) Frequent nosebleeds or crusting in the nose occurs.
USE OF THE DRY POWDER INHALER:
(a) Obtain an instruction sheet from your pharmacist.
(b) Hold the Diskus preloaded oral inhaler in one hand, put the thumb
of your other hand in the thumbgrip, and push the thumbgrip until
the mouthpiece appears and snaps into position. Hold the inhaler
level and depress the lever away from you. This will pierce the
foil blister and make the dose available for inhaling and advance
the dose counter. Note that the last 5 doses appear in red on the
dose counter.
(c) Exhale completely. Do not exhale into the Diskus device.
(d) Place mouthpiece between your lips and inhale deeply and steadily
through your mouth.
(e) Remove the inhaler from your mouth while holding your breath as
long as possible (5-10 seconds).
(f) Breathe out slowly.
(g) Close the device and prepare for the next dose by sliding the
thumb grip towards you as far as possible; until it clicks.
(h) If you are prescribed more than one dose,
repeat steps (b) through (g).
(i) Rinse your mouth and gargle with water. Do not swallow the water.
Wash dentures if you wear them.
(j) Clean the outside of the inhaler mouthpiece with a dry tissue once
a week. Do not use water to clean the mouthpiece; if water gets
into the inhaler it may not work.
Store in a dry place, away from moisture and excess heat.
Store this medication in its original labelled container, out of the reach
of children. Do not allow anyone else to use this medication.
