Advair is a combination drug that contains inhaled forms of salmeterol, a long-acting bronchodilator and fluticasone propionate, a corticosteroid. Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, Advair is available in two dispensing devices: a regular metered-dose inhaler that dispenses aerosolized medication or a special inhaler called a diskus that creates a powdered form of the drug. Most commonly prescribed for the treatment of asthma, Advair is also approved for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
Initial Asthma Control
People with asthma develop difficulty breathing because the muscles controlling their airways go into spasm, narrowing the airway openings and obstructing the free flow of oxygen in and carbon dioxide out of the lungs. Their bodies also release chemicals that inflame the airways, leading to swelling that further constricts the flow of air.
Salmeterol is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist, or LABA, that relaxes the muscles to allow the airways to expand to normal size. Fluticasone is a steroid drug that blocks the release of chemicals that cause inflammation and airway swelling. Advair is a recommended treatment for individuals whose asthma is so severe that they need both a LABA and an inhaled corticosteroid to reduce disease symptoms, according to GlaxoSmithKline.
Short-term Asthma Control
Doctors also prescribe Advair for people who are on long-term inhaled corticosteroids that are not adequately controlling their disease. By temporarily discontinuing the long-term inhaled steroid and replacing that medication with an Advair inhaler, the physician improves asthma control short-term. Once asthma is under good control, the goal is to discontinue Advair and maintain control with an inhaled corticosteroid instead of a combined product, according to GlaxoSmithKline.
Maintenance Control of COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis cause airway constriction that interferes with the ability to exhale without effort. Many people experience frequent exacerbation, or worsening of their COPD. Advair offers two distinct advantages to individuals with COPD. On a maintenance level, Advair reduces airway obstruction. Long-term, the combination of salmeterol and fluticasone reduces the frequency of exacerbations that can lead to emergency visits and hospitalization, says GlaxoSmithKline.
Flexibility
Each form of Advair contains a specific amount of fluticasone paired with a designated amount of salmeterol. The Advair diskus, for example, is dispensed in dosages of 100/50, 250/50 or 500/50. The 100/50 product contains 100 mcg of fluticasone and 50 mcg of salmeterol, according to Daily Med. The metered-dose inhaler form of Advair is available in 45/21, 115/21 and 230/21 combinations with 21 mcg of salmeterol in each product. The range of dosages allows physicians to prescribe exactly the right amount of drug to control the chronic disease without causing unnecessary side effects.
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