Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol is used to prevent asthma attacks and to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not used to relieve an asthma attack that has already started. For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another medicine. If you do not have another medicine to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol is used with a special inhaler that comes with a patient information leaflet or patient instructions. Read the directions carefully before using this medicine. If you do not understand the directions or you are not sure how to use the Diskus® or inhaler, ask your doctor to show you what to do. Also, ask your doctor to check regularly how you use the Diskus® or inhaler to make sure you are using it properly.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop using this medicine without telling your doctor first. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

In order for this medicine to help prevent asthma attacks, it must be used every day in regularly spaced doses, as ordered by your doctor.

Do not stop using this medicine or other asthma medicines that your doctor has prescribed for you unless you have discussed this with your doctor.

When you use the Advair® HFA inhaler for the first time, or if you have not used it for 4 weeks or longer, or if the inhaler has been dropped, it may not deliver the right amount of medicine with the first puff. Therefore, before using the inhaler, prime it by spraying the medicine four times into the air away from the face, and shaking it well for 5 seconds before each spray. Avoid spraying it in your eyes.

Rinsing your mouth with water after each dose may help prevent hoarseness, throat irritation, and infection in the mouth. However, do not swallow the water after rinsing.

To use the Diskus®:

  • Open the foil pouch containing the Diskus®.
  • To open the Diskus®, push the thumb grip away from you as far as it will go. You will hear a click and feel a snap. When open, the mouthpiece will appear.
  • Slide the mouthpiece lever away from you as far as it will go until it clicks. The Diskus® is now ready to use. If you close the Diskus® or push the lever again, you will lose the medicine.
  • Turn your head away from the Diskus®, and breathe out to the end of a normal breath. Do not breathe into the Diskus®.
  • Holding the Diskus® level, put the mouthpiece between your lips and teeth, and close your lips around the mouthpiece. Do not bite down on the mouthpiece. Do not block the mouthpiece with your teeth or tongue.
  • Breathe in through your mouth as deeply as you can until you have taken a full deep breath. Do not breathe through your nose.
  • Hold your breath and remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Continue holding your breath as long as you can up to 10 seconds before breathing out slowly. This gives the medicine time to settle in your airways and lungs.
  • Turn your head away from the Diskus®, and breathe out slowly to the end of a normal breath. Do not breathe into the Diskus®.
  • If your doctor has told you to inhale more than one puff of medicine at each dose, take the second puff following exactly the same steps you used for the first puff.
  • When you are finished, close the Diskus®. Place your thumb on the thumb grip, and slide it back toward you as far as it will go. You will hear it click shut.
  • Keep the Diskus® dry. Do not wash the mouthpiece, or any other part of the Diskus®. You may use a dry cloth to wipe it clean.
  • The Diskus® has a window that shows the number of doses that are left. This tells you when you are getting low on medicine. When the Diskus® has 5 doses left, the numbers from 5 to 0 will show up in red to remind you to refill your prescription.

To use the Advair® HFA inhaler:

  • Take the inhaler out of the pouch before you use it for the first time.
  • Do not use the inhaler for this medicine with any other medicine.
  • Remove the cap and look at the mouthpiece to make sure it is clean.
  • Prime the inhaler before use by shaking the inhaler well and then releasing 4 test sprays.
  • To inhale this medicine, breathe out fully, trying to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. Put the mouthpiece fully into your mouth and close your lips around it. Do not block the mouthpiece with your teeth or tongue.
  • While pressing down firmly and fully on the purple top of the inhaler, breathe in through your mouth as deeply as you can until you have taken a full deep breath.
  • Wait for 30 seconds and repeat these steps for the next puff, starting with shaking the inhaler.
  • Gargle and rinse your mouth with water after each dose. This will help prevent hoarseness, throat irritation, and infection in the mouth. Do not swallow the water after rinsing.
  • Replace the mouthpiece cover after using the medicine.
  • The inhaler has a window that shows the number of doses remaining. This tells you when you are getting low on medicine. The doses counting down from 20 to 0 will show up in red to remind you to refill your prescription. Throw away the inhaler when the count is 000.

To use the Airduo™ Respiclick®:

  • Take the inhaler out of the pouch before you use it for the first time.
  • Do not use the inhaler for this medicine with any other medicine.
  • This medicine does not require priming. Do not use it with a spacer or volume holding chamber.
  • Hold the inhaler upright and open the yellow cap all the way until it clicks. Do not open the yellow cap until you are ready to take a dose of this medicine.
  • To inhale this medicine, breathe out fully, trying to get as much air out of the lungs as possible. Put the mouthpiece fully into your mouth and close your lips around it. Do not block the mouthpiece with your teeth or tongue. Do not block the vent above the mouthpiece with your lips or fingers.
  • Breathe in through your mouth quickly and deeply as you can until you have taken a full deep breath. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds.
  • Close the yellow cap after each inhalation. Rinse your mouth with water without swallowing after each inhalation.
  • Keep the inhaler dry and clean at all times. Gently wipe the mouthpiece with a dry cloth or tissue as needed.
  • The inhaler has a window that shows the number of doses remaining. This tells you when you are getting low on medicine. The doses counting down from 20 to 0 will show up in red to remind you to refill your prescription. Throw away the inhaler when the dose counter displays 0, 30 days after opening the pouch.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For inhalation dosage form (aerosol liquid):
    • For preventing an asthma attack:
      • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 puffs in the morning and another 2 puffs in the evening. The doses should be at least 12 hours apart.
      • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your child's doctor.
  • For inhalation dosage form (aerosol powder):
    • Advair® Diskus®:
      • For preventing an asthma attack:
        • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—1 inhalation 2 times per day (morning and evening). The doses should be at least 12 hours apart. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is not more than 500 micrograms (mcg) of fluticasone and 50 mcg of salmeterol two times a day.
        • Children 4 to 11 years of age—1 inhalation 2 times per day (morning and evening). The doses should be at least 12 hours apart. Each inhalation contains 100 micrograms (mcg) of fluticasone and 50 mcg of salmeterol.
        • Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
      • For treatment and prevention of worsening attacks of COPD:
        • Adults—1 inhalation 2 times per day (morning and evening). The doses should be at least 12 hours apart. Each inhalation contains 250 micrograms (mcg) of fluticasone and 50 mcg of salmeterol.
        • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • Airduo™ Respiclick®:
      • For treatment of asthma:
        • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—1 inhalation 2 times per day (morning and evening). The doses should be at least 12 hours apart. Do not use it more than 2 times every 24 hours.
        • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your child's doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the canister at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.

Keep the medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

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