COPD & Your Lungs
COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Most patients with COPD have some of both chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Chronic bronchitis means your airways are irritated, narrowed, and make too much sticky mucus. The walls of your airways are swollen and block air from passing through. This overproduction of mucus leads to coughing and sputum production, and by blocking your airways, can make it hard to breathe.
With emphysema, the walls of the air sacs in your lungs lose their elasticity and air gets trapped inside. This trapped air makes it hard to breathe.
COPD is with you all the time, even when you don’t have symptoms, and it gets worse over time.
A healthcare provider diagnoses COPD by combining an evaluation of your symptoms with a breathing test that measures how much air you can exhale, and how fast you can exhale.
By the time many people are diagnosed with COPD, they may have lost about half of their lung function. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider early if you have any of the risk factors or symptoms of COPD.
Important Safety Information About ADVAIR DISKUS 250/50
ADVAIR DISKUS 250/50 is approved for adults with COPD, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. You should only take 1 inhalation of ADVAIR twice a day. Higher doses will not provide additional benefits. People with COPD taking ADVAIR may have a higher chance of pneumonia. Call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: change in amount or color of sputum, fever, chills, increased cough, or increased breathing problems. ADVAIR may increase your risk of osteoporosis and some eye problems (cataracts or glaucoma). You should have regular eye exams. Thrush in the mouth and throat may occur. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking ADVAIR. Do not use ADVAIR with long-acting beta2-agonists for any reason. ADVAIR does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms.