subject: How Advair Diskus Benfits Asthma And COPD Patients [print this page] How Advair Diskus Benfits Asthma And COPD Patients
Advair Diskus is widely used for treating adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) associated with chronic bronchitis. According to the World Health Organization estimates, over 600 million worldwide have COPD. Furthermore, up to almost three out of every four patients suffering from COPD face difficulty in performing their daily activities due to shortness of breath. This prescription drug contains a combination of Salmeterol, a bronchodilator of the beta-2 agonist type and fluticasone propionate, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid. How is Advair Diskus useful for Asthma and COPD Patients? Advair Diskus helps to prevent asthma attacks and improve lung function. The Beta-2 agonists present in the drug attach to beta-2 receptors on the smooth muscle cells surrounding the airways, thus, allowing them to relax and open the airways. The anti inflammatory corticosterioid works to suppress the inflammation within the airways and thus reduces swelling in the airways. If fluticasone propionate is used in lower doses, a very little portion of the inhaled amount will be absorbed by a patient's body. However, in case of higher doses, large amounts of fluticasone are absorbed and may cause side effects in other parts of the body. Advair Diskus is available in three different forms containing the same amount of salmeterol (50mcg) but varying amounts of fluticasone propionate (110mcg, 250 mcg and 500mcag). The recommended dosage for asthma patients 12 years or older is one inhalation twice in a day. The physician will recommend the necessary strength depending on the individual symptoms. In case of children between 4 to 11 years, the recommended treatment is one inhalation of 100/50 mcg twice daily. In case of COPD patients the recommended dosage is one inhalation of 250/50 mcg twice daily. The medicine starts acting within 30 to 60 minutes and its impacts can last for more than 12 hours. The drug is not needed in patients whose asthma can be controlled easily with infrequent administration of short acting inhalers. Advair Diskus should not be used as a rescue medicine when a child suffers from an asthma attack or shortness of breath. Side-Effects and Safety Information Associated with Advair Diskus
Advair Diskus is generally well tolerated by patients; however, there are some common side effects including:
upper respiratory tract infections
throat irritation
hoarseness and voice changes
ear, nose and throat infections
nose bleeds
sinusitis
headaches
gastrointestinal discomfort and pain
nausea
vomitingAdvair Diskus should be taken only in the prescribed dosages and after reading the instructions given on its package. You may feel the drug's taste while inhaling it. One should exhale into the device and never wash the inhaler or any part of it. Patients taking Advair Diskus should gargle and rinse their mouth with water after each use to prevent irritation and yeast.
