Smoking & COPD
Most (80%-90%) COPD cases are caused by smoking. If you are diagnosed with COPD, the very first thing you should do is quit smoking. Clinical studies have shown that people who quit smoking can significantly slow the loss of lung function. Also, quitting smoking has been shown to help people with COPD live longer.
Minutes after you quit smoking, your body starts to respond:
- 20 minutes after quitting: your heart rate drops.
- 24 hours after quitting: carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal. Carbon monoxide is a poison found in cigarette smoke.
- 2-12 weeks after quitting: your chance of heart attack decreases.
- 1 year after quitting: your excess risk of heart disease drops to half that of a smoker.
- 5-15 years after quitting: your stroke risk is that of a nonsmoker.
- 10 years after quitting: your risk of cancer is lower.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
These tips can help you quit smoking.
ADVAIR DISKUS 250/50 is approved for adults with COPD, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. ADVAIR DISKUS is not for, and should not be used to treat, sudden, severe symptoms of COPD. ADVAIR won’t replace a rescue inhaler. You should only take 1 inhalation of ADVAIR twice a day. Higher doses will not provide additional benefits.
Important Safety Information About ADVAIR DISKUS 250/50 for COPD
- Do not use ADVAIR to treat sudden, severe symptoms of 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 long-acting beta2-agonists 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 DISKUS.
- pneumonia. People with COPD have a higher chance of getting pneumonia. ADVAIR may increase the chance of getting pneumonia. Call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- increase in mucus (sputum) production
- change in mucus color
- fever
- chills
- increased cough
- increased breathing problems
- 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:
- Common side effects of ADVAIR DISKUS 250/50 for COPD include thrush in the mouth and throat, throat irritation, hoarseness and voice changes, viral respiratory infections, headache, and muscle and bone pain.
