Asking Your Doctor About ADVAIR DISKUS

Your Doctor Discussion Questions

1. Which medication(s) are you taking for asthma?

2. How often do you use a rescue inhaler?

3. How often do you have symptoms?

4. How often do you wake up at night?

5. How does asthma affect your activities, if at all?

Important Safety Information About ADVAIR DISKUS^® (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder)

• People with asthma who take long-acting beta₂-adrenergic agonist (LABA) medicines, such as salmeterol (one of the medicines in ADVAIR), have an increased risk of death from asthma problems. It is not known whether fluticasone propionate, the other medicine in ADVAIR, reduces the risk of death from asthma problems seen with salmeterol.
  • Call your healthcare provider if breathing problems worsen over time while using ADVAIR. You may need different treatment.
  • Get emergency medical care if:
    • breathing problems worsen quickly and
    • you use your rescue inhaler medicine, but it does not relieve your breathing problems.
• ADVAIR should be used only if your healthcare provider decides that your asthma is not well controlled with a long-term asthma control medicine, such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
• When your asthma is well controlled, your healthcare provider may tell you to stop taking ADVAIR. Your healthcare provider will decide if you can stop ADVAIR without loss of asthma control. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a different asthma control medicine for you, such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
• Children and adolescents with asthma who take LABA medicines may have an increased risk of hospitalization for asthma problems.
• Do not use ADVAIR to treat sudden, severe symptoms of asthma or COPD. Always have a rescue inhaler medicine with you to treat sudden symptoms.
• Do not use ADVAIR DISKUS if you have severe allergy to milk proteins. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
• Do not use ADVAIR more often than prescribed. Do not take ADVAIR with other medicines that contain a LABA for any reason. Tell your doctor about medicines you take and about all of your medical conditions.
• ADVAIR DISKUS can cause serious side effects, including:
  • serious allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care if you get any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:
    • rash
    • hives
    • swelling of the face, mouth, and tongue
    • breathing problems
  • sudden breathing problems immediately after inhaling your medicine
  • effects on heart
    • increased blood pressure
    • a fast and irregular heartbeat
    • chest pain
  • effects on nervous system
    • tremor
    • nervousness
  • reduced adrenal function (may result in loss of energy)
  • changes in blood (sugar, potassium, certain types of white blood cells)
  • weakened immune system and a higher chance of infections. You should avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles, and, if exposed, consult your healthcare provider without delay. Worsening of existing tuberculosis, fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, or ocular herpes simplex may occur.
  • lower bone mineral density. This may be a problem for people who already have a higher chance of low bone density (osteoporosis).
  • eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts. You should have regular eye exams while using ADVAIR.
  • slowed growth in children. A child's growth should be checked often.
• Common side effects of ADVAIR DISKUS include:
  • upper respiratory tract infection
  • throat irritation
  • hoarseness and voice changes
  • thrush in the mouth and throat
  • bronchitis
  • cough
  • headache
  • nausea and vomiting

In children with asthma, infections in the ear, nose, and throat are common.

Next: FAQs