How to Use Advair

Last Updated: October 8, 2022 References Approved

Advair is a prescription drug containing fluticasone and salmeterol that helps asthma sufferers control asthma attacks.^{[1]
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Research source} Advair comes in an easy-to-operate disc-shaped inhaler called the "Diskus." Knowing how (and when) to use your Advair inhaler properly is vital to preventing asthma symptoms.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Using the Diskus Inhaler

1
Expose the mouthpiece. Hold the Discus horizontal in one hand. With your other hand, put your thumb on the the small curved section. Slide it away from you. The inner part of the Diskus should turn and click into place. The mouthpiece is now exposed. Turn the mouthpiece towards you.
- Over the thumb grip, you should see a small window with a numbered dial underneath. The number tells you how many doses are left. When you're almost out, "0-5" will appear in red.^{[2]
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2
Push the lever to prepare the dose. Hold the inhaler flat and level with the mouthpiece facing you. Use your finger to slide the lever until you feel it click into place. The dose is now ready.
- There are many small blister packs full of medicine inside the inhaler. Pushing the lever breaks one of the blister packs, releasing the medicine.
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3
Breathe out as much as you can. Ideally, you want to empty your lungs completely. Face away from the inhaler as you exhale to avoid displacing the prepared dose.^{[3]
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4
Inhale. Bring the Advair inhaler to your mouth. Place your lips on the mouthpiece. Breathe in deeply. Take your entire breath through your mouth in order to inhale the complete dose. Don't breathe through your nose.
- Keep the inhaler flat and level as you breathe. This ensures the medicine is dispensed properly.
5
Hold it in. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds (or as long as you can) after inhaling. The medicine needs a short amount of time to be fully absorbed.
- After 10 seconds (or as long as you're able to hold your breath), breathe out slowly, smoothly and evenly. You can start breathing normally.
6
Rinse your mouth. Rinse your mouth out with clean water. Do this each time you take a dose of Advair. Finish by gargling before your spit the water out. Do not swallow the water you use to rinse.
- This is mainly to prevent a fungal infection of the throat called Thrush.^{[4]
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  Research source} Advair can cause an imbalance of the organisms in your mouth which allows this fungus to take hold.^{[5]
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  Trustworthy Source
  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
  Go to source}
7
Close and store the inhaler. Slide the Diskus closed again. The dose dial will automatically move forward one number. Put the inhaler someplace safe and clean for easy access in the future.
- Store Advair in a cool, dry place where it isn't within the reach of children. An Advair inhaler can be used for one month after it is first removed from the foil.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using Advair Responsibly

1
When in doubt, always follow your doctor's directions. The specifics for when to take Advair vary from patient to patient. The only way to know for sure when to use your inhaler is to get a doctor's advice. Luckily, Advair is a prescription drug, so you'll need to meet with a doctor before you can use it.
- The rest of the instructions in this section are borrowed from online Advair resources. They are intended as general guidelines. Again, only your doctor can tell you what's right for you.
2
Use Advair twice daily to prevent attacks. Advair is typically used once in the morning and once in the evening. Try to take your Advair doses at roughly the same time each day. You don't have to hit these times exactly every single day, but you should do your best to get close. Within an hour of your scheduled time is usually fine.
- For long term prevention of asthma symptoms, schedule your two doses 12 hours apart. For instance, you might try taking your first dose at 8:00 in the morning when you wake up and the second at 8:00 in the evening.
- Setting an alarm on your phone or watch can be a big help here.
3
Take one dose at a time. This is crucial. You don't want to take more than your recommended dosage in a single 12-hour period unless your doctor tells you to. You may not be able to taste or smell the medicine when you inhale it, but it's still there. You won't get "duds," so don't take extra medicine.^{[7]
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- Do not double an Advair dose even if you feel your symptoms worsen. The medicine takes time to work. Your doctor will be able to recommend alternative treatments for sudden, severe symptoms.
4
Take the medicine until you are directed to stop. Just like you shouldn't take the medicine more often than it's prescribed, you also won't want to take it less often. Continue to take the Advair at the prearranged times until your doctor tells you to stop. If you stop too early, your symptoms can worsen.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

When Not to Use Advair

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Don't use Advair to fight sudden attacks. This is very important to understand. The medicine in your Diskus is not meant to stop sudden, acute asthma attacks. It does not act quickly enough to have a significant effect. Taking multiple doses can result in side effects — sometimes severe ones.
- Instead, carry a doctor-prescribed "rescue inhaler" for this. There are many types of rescue inhalers available. Some use a type of drug called beta-agonists, but alternatives are available, so talk to your doctor if you don't already have one.^{[8]
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2
Don't take "makeup" doses if you miss one. Missing a dose of Advair isn't something you'll want to make a habit of, but accidents happen. If you forget to take a dose, you can take it late if only an hour or two have passed. If your next dose is coming up, simply wait and take it then. Take just one dose at this time — don't take two to make up for the one you missed.
3
Don't use Advair if you are taking other LABA drugs. One of the active ingredients in Advair, Salmeterol, is a type of drug called a long-acting beta agonist, or LABA. These drugs are slower, more gradual versions of the drugs used in many rescue inhalers. Don't take Advair if you are already taking a LABA for your asthma. The combined dosage may be enough to result in serious negative side effects.^{[9]
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Research source} Your doctor should tell you this when prescribing Advair.
- A few common examples of LABA drugs (and brand names to go with each) include: Salmeterol (Serevent), Formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist), and Arformoterol (Brovana).^{[10]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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Don't use Advair if you have a complicating medical condition. While Advair is safe for the majority of patients, some people should not take it. Certain conditions, diseases, and drugs can change the effects of Advair, making it unsafe. In some cases, the negative interactions can be quite dangerous. See below.^{[11]
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- Do not take Advair if you:
  
  Are allergic to the active ingredients (salmeterol and fluticasone)
  
  Have a severe allergy to milk proteins
  
  Are already taking LABA's (see above)
  
  Are having a sudden "attack" of symptoms (see above)
- Talk to your doctor first if you:
  
  Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  
  Have known allergies to other medicines
  
  Have heart disease or high blood pressure
  
  Have a seizure disorder like epilepsy
  
  Have a weakened immune system
  
  Have diabetes, glaucoma, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, a thyroid disorder, or liver disease.

Community Q&A

Question

Should there be a taste or smell after using Advair?

Community Answer

There is a slight taste, but it should go away within ten minutes. If it lasts longer than a day, definitely talk to your doctor.
Question

What can I do if I get a sore throat that is bleeding?

Community Answer

Visit your doctor immediately! This could be irritation from the medication, but most likely it's an unrelated issue that should be examined and treated.
Question

Why isn't the counter on my disk counting down?

Community Answer

Try this. 1.) Hold the container FLAT and LEVEL from the time the mouthpiece is open until it's closed. 2.) Push the thumb part as far away from the opening as you can until it clicks. That's what changes the number. Remember to keep it flat and level. No twisting it around to look at it. 3.) After you have heard the click or seen the number go down, it's ready to inhale. Return it to the pharmacy if the number is still not going down.

Warnings

Side effects of normal Advair use include irritation and infection of the throat, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and sinus irritation.^{[12]
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Rare but severe side effects of Advair use include nervousness, trembling, racing heartbeat, chest pains, rashes, swelling, and hives. Get medical care if you start showing these symptoms.^{[13]
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Advair inhalers are not meant to be used with spacers.^{[14]
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Avoid being near people with contagious illnesses while you are taking Advair. Fluticasone is a steroid drug that can reduce the immune system's strength somewhat. Talk to a doctor immediately if you come in contact with someone who has a highly contagious disease like chickenpox or measles. These illnesses can be much worse than normal if your immune system is suppressed.

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