Advair is commonly used to treat airway spasms in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as to prevent them in people with asthma. By opening up the airways and allowing more air to get into and through the lungs, the medication can make it easier for people with airway spasms to breathe. The medication comes in two forms -- the Advair Diskus, which contains a dry powder; and the Advair HFA inhaler, which is a more traditional inhaler. Side effects of the medicine can include upper respiratory tract infections, headaches, and a sore throat.
(Click Advair Uses for more information on what Advair is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Advair is made by GlaxoSmithKline.
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.
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 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.
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