How to Use Advair: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 17:31

Advair is a drug that helps control asthma attacks and contains fluticasone and salmeterol. It comes with a simple to use, circular shaped inhaler called "Diskus". Knowing how (and when) to use your Advair inhaler correctly is key to preventing asthma symptoms.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Using the Diskus Inhaler

Step 1. Expose the mouthpiece

Hold the Diskus horizontally with one hand. Put the thumb of the other in the small curved section. Slide it forward. The inside of the inhaler should rotate and snap into place. The mouthpiece is now exposed. Orientalo towards you.

Above where you rested your thumb you should see a small window with a numbered dial underneath. The number indicates how many doses are left. When they are almost finished, "0-5" will be displayed in red

Step 2. Push the lever to prepare the dose

Hold the inhaler horizontally and align it with the mouthpiece facing you. Use your finger to slide the lever until you hear a click. The dose is now ready.

The inhaler contains several small blister packs of medicine. Pushing the lever breaks one releasing the medicine

Step 3. Breathe out as much as possible

You should be able to completely empty your lungs. Keep your face away from the inhaler as you exhale to avoid wasting the prepared dose.

Step 4. Inhale

Bring the inhaler into your mouth. Place your lips on the mouthpiece. Inhale deeply. Take a full breath with your mouth to draw out the full dose. Don't breathe through your nose.

Hold the inhaler horizontally and aligned as you breathe. This way the drug will be delivered correctly

Step 5. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds (or as long as possible) after inhaling

The medicine takes some time to be fully absorbed.

After 10 seconds (or the time you managed to hold your breath) exhale slowly, continuously and steadily. You can start breathing normally

Step 6. Rinse your mouth

Use clean water. Do this every time you take a dose of Advair. Gargle before you spit it out. Don't swallow the water you used for rinsing.

This is mainly to prevent a fungal infection of the throat called thrush. Advair can cause imbalances inside the mouth that allow this fungus to develop

Step 7. Close and store the inhaler

Slide the Diskus again to close. The dose dial automatically moves by one number. Store your inhaler in a clean, safe place to find it easily when you need it again.

Store in a cool, dry place that is not within the reach of children. An Advair inhaler can be used for one month after the pack has been opened

Part 2 of 3: Using Advair Responsibly

Step 1. If in doubt, always follow your doctor's instructions

The details of when to take Advair vary from patient to patient. The only way to know for sure when to use your inhaler is to ask your doctor for advice. However, it is a prescription drug, so you will need to speak to a doctor before using it anyway.

The remaining instructions in this section of the article are borrowed from online resources related to Advair. They are intended as general guidelines. Again, only your doctor can tell you what's right for you

Step 2. Use it twice a day to prevent attacks

It is generally used once in the morning and once in the evening. Try to take your Advair doses around the same time every day. You don't have to adhere exactly to these times every day, but you should do your best to get close to them. It's okay if you can anticipate or delay no more than an hour.

• Schedule your two doses 12 hours apart for long-term prevention of asthma symptoms. For example, you could try taking the first dose at 8 a.m. when you wake up, and the second dose at 8 p.m.
• Setting a memo on your mobile or watch can be very useful in this case.

Step 3. Take one dose at a time

This is crucial. It is not recommended to take more than the prescribed dosage in the 12 hours, unless advised by your doctor. You may not be able to taste or smell the medicine when you inhale, but it's still there. Don't make "crazy claims", so don't take extra medicine.

Do not double the dose of Advair even if you feel your symptoms are getting worse. The drug takes time to work. Your doctor will be able to recommend alternative treatments for sudden and severe symptoms

Step 4. Continue with the medication until you are told to stop

Just as you shouldn't take it more often than prescribed, you shouldn't take it less often either. Follow the prescription you have been given until your doctor says otherwise. If you stop too early, your symptoms can get worse.

Part 3 of 3: When Not to Use Advair

Step 1. Don't use it to fight sudden attacks

This is very important to understand. The drugs contained in the Diskus do not have the ability to stop acute and sudden asthma attacks. They don't act fast enough to accomplish this. Taking multiple doses can cause side effects, sometimes serious.

Instead, have a doctor-prescribed "rescue inhaler" available for acute and sudden seizures. Find different types of rescue inhalers. Some use beta-agonist drugs, but alternative products are available, so ask your doctor if he or she hasn't suggested one yet

Step 2. Don't take "compensatory" doses if you miss one

Forgetting a dose of Advair is not an advisable habit, but accidents can happen. If you miss a dose, you can still take it if it is not more than an hour or two after the scheduled time. If it's close to the next one, just wait and take only this one. Just take one right now - don't take two to make up for the one you forgot.

Step 3. Do not use Advair if you are taking other LABA class medications

One of the active ingredients in Advair, salmeterol, is a long-acting beta agonist or LABA. These drugs are slower and more gradual in action than others used in many rescue inhalers. Do not take Advair if you are already taking a LABA for asthma. Combined dosage can cause severe side effects. Your doctor should warn you when prescribing it.

Some known examples of LABA drugs (with the brand name alongside) include: salmeterol (Serevent), formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist), and Arformoterol (Brovana)

Step 4. Do not use Advair if you have a medical condition with complications

As safe as this drug is for most patients, some shouldn't take it. Certain conditions, diseases, and other medications could change its effects and make it unsafe. In some cases, negative interactions can be very dangerous. Look down.

• Do not take Advair if:

  You are allergic to its active ingredients (salmeterol and fluticasone);

  You have a severe allergy to milk proteins

  You are already taking LABA (see above);

  You have a sudden "attack" (see above);

• Talk to your doctor first if:

  You are pregnant or breastfeeding;

  You have allergies to other medicines;

  You have heart disease or have high blood pressure;

  You suffer from neurological disorders such as epilepsy;

  You have a weakened immune system

  You suffer from diabetes, glaucoma, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, thyroid disorders or liver disease.

Warnings

• Side effects associated with regular use of Advair include throat irritation and infections, headaches, muscle aches, nausea and sinus irritation.
• Rare but serious side effects of Advair include nervousness, tremors, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, rash, swelling, and hives. Get medical attention if these symptoms occur.
• Advair inhalers should not be used with spacers.
• Avoid being around people with contagious diseases while taking Advair. Fluticasone is a steroid drug that can reduce the resistance of the immune system somewhat. Talk to a doctor right away if you come into contact with someone who has a highly contagious disease such as chickenpox or measles. These diseases can have a worse course than normal if your immune system is weakened.