Asthma Medications
Real-Life Story: Prevention Can Make a Difference
There are 2 common types of asthma medications: rescue inhalers and controller medications.
- Rescue Inhalers: You use a rescue inhaler, or fast-acting inhaler, to treat sudden asthma symptoms. The inhaler helps you get control quickly when you are having asthma symptoms. ADVAIR does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms.
But you should not overuse your rescue inhaler. If you are using a rescue inhaler more than 2 days a week, ask your healthcare provider if you should be using a controller medication to help prevent asthma symptoms. - Controller Medications: You take a controller medication, or daily maintenance medication, to help manage asthma symptoms. Controller medications are taken every day. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) asthma treatment guidelines recommend that doctors prescribe a controller medication for their patients who have persistent asthma. The type of controller medication that is recommended depends on the severity of a patient's asthma.
Steroids and Asthma Treatment
Certain types of steroids are often prescribed to treat asthma. All steroids are not the same.
- Anabolic Steroids: Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones. Some athletes have reportedly used anabolic steroids illegally to increase muscle mass. These are not the same as oral corticosteroids or inhaled corticosteroids.
- Oral Corticosteroids: Oral corticosteroids, like prednisone, come in pill or liquid form. Healthcare providers sometimes use oral corticosteroids for short-term treatment of worsening asthma.
- Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICSs): An ICS is a type of controller medicine used to treat asthma long-term. An ICS is different from oral corticosteroids. An ICS has fewer side effects than an oral corticosteroid and goes right to work on the airways. An ICS helps control inflammation, one of the two main causes of asthma symptoms. ADVAIR contains two medicines, and one of them is an ICS (fluticasone propionate).
ADVAIR is for people who still have symptoms on another asthma controller, or who need two controllers. Talk to the doctor about the risks and benefits of treating asthma with ADVAIR. Do not use ADVAIR with long-acting beta2-agonists for any reason. If taking ADVAIR, see the doctor if asthma does not improve or gets worse. Tell the doctor about any heart condition or high blood pressure.
Important Safety Information About ADVAIR DISKUS and ADVAIR HFA 45/21, 115/21, 230/21 (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol) Inhalation Aerosol
Prescription ADVAIR won't replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms and should not be taken more than twice a day. ADVAIR is for people who still have symptoms on another asthma controller, or who need two controllers. ADVAIR contains salmeterol. In patients with asthma, medicines like salmeterol may increase the chance of asthma-related death. So ADVAIR is not for people whose asthma is well controlled on another controller medicine.
Talk to the doctor about the risks and benefits of treating asthma with ADVAIR. Do not use ADVAIR with long-acting beta2-agonists for any reason. If taking ADVAIR, see the doctor if asthma does not improve or gets worse. Thrush in the mouth and throat may occur. Tell the doctor about any heart condition or high blood pressure. Some people may experience increased blood pressure, heart rate, or changes in heart rhythm. Inhaled corticosteroids as well as poorly controlled asthma may cause a reduction in growth rate. The long-term effect on final adult height is unknown.
ADVAIR DISKUS is for patients 4 years and older. For patients 4 to 11 years old, ADVAIR DISKUS 100/50 is for those who have asthma symptoms while on an inhaled corticosteroid.
ADVAIR HFA is for patients 12 years and older.