Advair Uses (Cont.)

How Advair Works

Advair contains two different medications -- fluticasone and salmeterol. Salmeterol is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short. Beta agonists stimulate beta receptors in the body, including those on the muscles around the airways. This stimulation causes the muscles to relax, which opens up the airways and allows more air to get into and through the lungs. Salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist that is used to prevent asthma attacks (rather than to treat them).
 
The other component of Advair is fluticasone, an asthma medication that belongs to a group of drugs called inhaled corticosteroids, or steroids for short. Inhaled steroids go directly into the lungs and help to decrease the inflammation of the airways that makes asthma attacks more likely.
 
Because Advair does not work quickly, it should not be used for treating an asthma attack. Rather, it is used twice a day in order to prevent asthma attacks.
 

Advair Use in Children

The Advair Diskus is approved for children with asthma who are at least four years old. The Advair HFA inhaler is approved for children with asthma who are at least 12 years old. Young children usually require help using Advair correctly. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the best ways to treat childhood asthma.
 

Off-Label Advair Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Advair for treating something other than the conditions discussed above. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label Advair uses.

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;