Fluticasone + Salmeterol

What is Fluticasone + Salmeterol?

Fluticasone + Salmeterol is named after the active ingredients it contains. It’s the generic version of Advair, a combination inhaler used to prevent asthma symptoms. Salmeterol works as a bronchodilator that opens up the airways when you’re having acute asthma symptoms. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that keeps inflammation down and helps prevent symptoms from occurring.

This type of active ingredient combination is used to prevent rather than treat. You should use it every day, even if you’re not experiencing symptoms.

Fluticasone + Salmeterol comes as a regular HFA inhaler, or also known as a powder inhaler. It’s button-activated, meaning you press down a canister at the same time as you breathe in. You can also get it as a Diskus inhaler that’s breath-activated, which can be much easier to use.

How does Fluticasone + Salmeterol work?

Fluticasone is what’s known as a beta-2 agonist, it prevents the smooth muscle in your airways from contracting and it can have an anti-inflammatory effect in your lungs.¹

Salmeterol is a corticosteroid that acts by switching off inflammatory genes such as cytokines, which are automatically activated in chronic inflammatory processes found in people with asthma and other airway-obstructing conditions like COPD.²

What doses of Fluticasone + Salmeterol are there?

Fluticasone + Salmeterol Diskus is available in three different doses: 100/50mcg, 250/50mcg, and 500/50mcg, with the first value being the quantity of Fluticasone and the second value the quantity of Salmeterol in each dose.

Fluticasone + Salmeterol powder is available in three doses as well, albeit a bit different that the Diskus version, with 55/14mcg, 113/14mcg, and 232/14mg of Fluticasone and Salmeterol, respectively.

No matter which version you’re prescribed, you need to take one dose every 12 hours. If your asthma isn’t under control and you’re experiencing symptoms between doses, you should use a rescue inhaler and speak to your clinician.

How to use Fluticasone + Salmeterol

The clinician who prescribes a Fluticasone + Salmeterol inhaler to you will instruct you on how to use it and answer any questions you might have, and you should always follow their instructions.

Here we’ll give you some general directions on using your inhaler and details on how to use the HFA and Diskus versions of Fluticasone + Salmeterol.

• Use Fluticasone + Salmeterol twice a day, one inhalation in the morning and on inhalation in the evening, approximately 12 hours apart
• You should use it even if you’re not having symptoms, as this is a preventer inhaler
• If you do experience symptoms between doses, do not use extra Fluticasone + Salmeterol doses, instead use your rescue inhaler
• Don’t exhale into the inhaler, wash it, or take it apart
• Both the HFA and the Diskus come with 60 doses. You can check how many you have left on the counter displays, and once you have about 20 left, you should request a refill
• Rinse your mouth with water after each inhalation. Never swallow the water, as it can damage your gastrointestinal system

How to use Fluticasone + Salmeterol HFA

• Hold your inhaler upright and remove the cap
• You’ll hear a click once you open the cap far enough. If you don’t hear it, the device might not be ready to deliver the medication and you should open the cap a little further
• Before you use the inhaler, take a few deep breaths, ending with a long exhale. Keep expelling air until you can’t do it any longer. This should be done away from the inhaler
• Once your lungs are empty, place your lips around the mouthpiece. Pay special attention to the vent that’s just above the mouthpiece, it should always stay uncovered
• Breathe in quickly and as far as you can to deliver the medication to your lungs
• Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for ten seconds, or for as long as it’s comfortable for you to do so
• Breathe out slowly
• Close the inhaler and store it in a cool, dry place

How to use Fluticasone + Salmeterol Diskus

• Hold the inhaler with your left hand and place your right thumb on the grip
• Push the lever away from you until the mouthpiece is exposed
• Turn the mouthpiece towards you and push the smaller lever next to it away from you until you hear a click
• Exhale as much as you can, with the inhaler directed away from you
• Place your lips around the mouthpiece and inhale quickly and deeply
• Let go of the inhaler and hold your breath for 10 seconds, or for as long as it is comfortable to do so
• Pull the lever towards you until the mouthpiece is covered, and store the inhaler in a cool, dry place

How long does it take Fluticasone + Salmeterol to work?

Fluticasone + Salmeterol is a preventative inhaler with long-lasting action that starts working fairly quickly. Within the first few hours of using it for the first time, you might already experience improved lung function, but it can take up to a week for you to get the full benefits of the medication.

This is not a rescue inhaler and is not meant for acute asthma symptoms. Instead, you’re meant to use it every day at set times. Even though it might help prevent asthma attacks, it doesn’t guarantee that they’ll completely cease, so you’ll still need a rescue inhaler to use whenever you experience symptoms.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Fluticasone + Salmeterol?

If you miss a dose of Fluticasone + Salmeterol, you should take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next one you should just skip the missed dose, and continue as usual. Missing one dose is unlikely to affect your treatment negatively.

If you accidentally use more Fluticasone + Salmeterol than you’re supposed to, call 911 as soon as possible. If you experience adverse effects you may require treatment.