Asthma is a respiratory condition that is associated with lung symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, coughing and chest tightness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 23 million Americans suffer from asthma. Advair is on drug prescribed to treat the symptoms of asthma. According to the Mayo Clinic, Advair is a combination of the drugs fluticasone and salmeterol; fluticasone targets inflammation and salmeterol targets airway constriction. However, there are possible side effects associated with Advair use.
Mild Side Effects
The Mayo Clinic reports that there are multiple mild side effects associated with use of Advair. The incidence of some of these side effects is common: body aches, throat dryness, hoarseness, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, choking, trouble swallowing, changes in voice. According to the Mayo Clinic, other mild side effects are less common: the production of mucus that causes coughing; muscle pain; white patches in the mouth, throat, or tongue; sleep disturbances; pain or tenderness around the cheeks and eyes.
Asthma-Related Death
GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Advair, include a warning in the prescribing information about the risk of asthma-related death when using one of the drugs in Advair, salmeterol. They note that the class of drugs that include salmeterol, which are called long-acting beta-adrenergic agonists, may increase the risk of dying from asthmatic symptoms. According to GlaxoSmithKline, 13 out of 13,176 patients died in a clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of salmeterol; this is compared with only 3 deaths out of the 13,179 patients who received placebo. Thus, the company advises prescribing Advair only when patients' symptoms are not being adequately controlled on other asthma medications.
Other Severe Side Effects
The Mayo Clinic reports other severe side effects associated with Advair use, which it classifys as "more common:" bloody stool; vision problems such as blindness and blurred vision; hives or hive-like welts on the face, eyelids, hands, legs, feet, or genitals; increased heart rate; numbness or tingling sensations in arms, hands, legs or feet; flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, and muscle pain; nausea and vomiting; problems with urinating; swollen glands; worsening of respiratory problems such as wheezing and shortness of breath; and easy bruising. The Mayo Clinic advises seeking immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms occur.
Member Comments