Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes symptoms such as difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, wheezing and coughing. The Mayo Clinic describes that one type of medication for the treatment of asthma symptoms is Advair Diskus, which delivers two drugs (salmeterol and fluticasone) in powder form to be inhaled directly into the lungs. Salmeterol targets one cause of asthma symptoms, airway constriction, and fluticasone targets another cause, inflammation. However, using Advair Diskus comes with possible side effects.
Thrush
GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Advair Diskus, report that one possible side effect of using this medication is an overgrowth in the mouth and throat of a type of fungus called Candida albicans. GlaxoSmithKline describes these infections as "localized," and thus the infections do not spread elsewhere on the body. They advise continuing use of Advair Diskus while using an oral antifungal medication to resolve the infection. To prevent a localized Candida albicans infection, GlaxoSmithKline advises rinsing the mouth and gargling with water after inhaling the medication. The cause of the infection is fluticasone, which suppresses inflammation in the lungs, but can suppress the immune system in the mouth and throat enough that this common fungus (normally present in every person's mouth and throat) becomes overgrown.
Breathing Side Effects
In a clinical trial designed to test the safety of Advair Diskus in another chronic lung condition, called chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), researchers found that using Advair has the potential to lead to lower respiratory infections; these infections may progress to pneumonia. This side effect was more common in those patients taking Advair who were over 65. MedlinePlus reports that Advair may also cause worsening of asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing and chest tightness due to constriction of the muscles around the airways. If Advair is the cause of these worsening asthma symptoms, they will begin soon after taking the medication. Other reported breathing side effects with taking Advair are choking and noisy, high-pitched breathing.
Decrease in Bone Mineral Density
GlaxoSmithKline reports that Advair may cause a decrease in bone mineral density when taken over the long term, which has been shown with other inhaled corticosteroids. The loss of bone mineral density may lead to weakening of the bones, though this has not yet been clinically proven.
Other Side Effects
According to MedlinePlus, there are also other side effects, such as a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing. Advair may also cause fainting, tingling in the feet or hands; it may even cause vision disturbances. Another possible Advair side effect is a change in heart rate, such as a pounding, fast or irregular heartbeat. GlaxoSmithKline adds these other possible side effects: fever, fatigue, muscle pain and cramps, headaches, and dizziness.
