Advair (also known as Advair Diskus) is a prescription medication used to help control asthma. It is also prescribed in a stronger dose to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Advair for asthma treats the two main causes of asthma symptoms, inflammation and airway construction, with the hope of keeping the asthma symptoms from occurring at all.
Frequency
In order for a side effect to be listed as a "common adverse reaction" in the prescribing literature for Advair, it has to have occurred in three percent or more of the test subjects involved in studies. The most common adverse reactions included upper respiratory tract infections or irritation.
Minor
Minor side effects that should be reported to your doctor but may not require medical attention, or may go away on their own as your body adjusts to Advair, include voice changes, cold-like symptoms such as sneezing and runny or stuffy nose, flu-like symptoms, a productive cough, eye irritation or inflammation and white patches in the mouth or on the tongue.
Urgent
There are numerous possible side effects from Advair that merit immediate contact with a doctor. These include decreased or blurred vision or blindness; black, tarry stools; chills; changes in heartbeat; hives or welts anywhere on the body including the eyelids, lips, tongue or throat; nausea or vomiting; problems urinating; shortness of breath; unusual bleeding or bruising; abdominal pain; darkening of skin; unwanted facial hair in females; a fruit-like odor on your breath; depression; muscle wasting or unexplained weight loss.
Overdose
It's possible to overdose on Advair. Possibly symptoms of an overdose include convulsions, chest pain or tightness, confusion, faintness (especially when shifting position suddenly), high blood pressure, nervousness, sudden sweating, tremors, trouble sleeping, mood changes, loss of appetite, plus numbness and tingling in the hands, feet or lips. If you experience any of these symptoms you should seek emergency medical help right away.
Interactions
While the prescribing information for Advair (as of late 2009) notes that Advair "has been used concomitantly with other drugs. . .commonly used in patients with asthma or COPD, without adverse drug reactions," one must also note that no formal studies have been done about side effects that may result from drug interactions between Advair and other medications.
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