Upper respiratory tract infections occur in 20% to 25% of patients using Advair. Headaches occur in about 1 in 8 patients who use it. Other potential adverse events include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth or throat candidiasis, and musculoskeletal pain. Use of long acting agents like salmeterol, an active ingredient in Advair, may increase the risk of asthma-related death. Therefore, Advair should only be used in patients who’s asthma is uncontrolled by other agents, and who are using long-term asthma-controlling medications such as an inhaled corticosteroid.
Advair Diskus is used for the treatment of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis. Its action starts within 30 to 60 minutes and can last more than 12 hours. Advair Diskus is generally not needed in patients whose asthma can be controlled easily with infrequent administration of short acting inhalers. Advair HFA is used for treating asthma in individuals 12 years old or older. Advair Diskus or HFA should not be used to treat acute episodes of asthma or COPD.