Side Effects of Advair

Some of the most common side-effects of Advair that have been experienced by patients include:

• Viral respiratory infections
• Throat irritation
• Headache and dizziness
• Hoarseness and voice change
• Lower respiratory tract infection
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Shakiness or nervousness
• Nausea, Vomiting or diarrhea

These common side effects usually go away with the regular dosage of the drug. In case, if these symptoms persist for long duration one should immediately seek doctor attention.

Severe Side-effects

In rare cases, serious side-effects may occur. Patients upon experiencing any of the severe side effects must immediately stop the intake of the drug and should immediately seek medical attention. Some of the severe side effects reported with this drug include:

• Serious allergic reactions like hives, rash, breathing problem or swelling of the face, mouth and tongue
• Sudden breathing problem
• Fast and Irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• High blood pressure
• Reduced adrenal function

Advair Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change the way in which the medications work or can even increase the risk of serious side effects. Therefore, before starting treatment with Advair, patients must inform their doctor about all the prescription and non-prescription medications taken by them. This is advised to ensure that the combination of drug used by the patients are safe. Advair is not recommended to be taken along with beta-blockers like:

• Atenolol
• Propranolol
• Timolol

These medications are advised to be avoided because beta-blockers have opposite action to Salmeterol and cause the airways to narrow.

Some of the other medications that may interact with Advair include:

• Aldesleukin
• Azole antifungals like ketoconazole
• Macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin
• HIV protease inhibitors like Ritonavir
• Nefazodone
• Telithromycin

Warning and Precautions

Patients are strictly advised to take this drug only if prescribed by a registered healthcare practitioner. Before starting this drug, patients must be aware of the warnings and precautions associated with this medication:

• Avoid this drug if one is allergic to any of its ingredients
• This medication should be regularly taken to prevent asthma attacks.
• If the patient experiences any increase in wheezing or difficulty in breathing after using Advair they should immediately stop medication and consult the doctor.
• Patients should rinse their mouth with water and clean their teeth after inhaling each dose. This will help them minimize the chance of mouth fungal infection called oral thrush.
• Severe asthma patients should get their blood test regularly done to monitor the amount of potassium in the blood.
• Pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers must stay away from this drug.

Advair should be cautiously used by the patients suffering from:

• Tuberculosis or lung infection
• Severe heart and cardiovascular disease
• Irregular heartbeats
• People with low levels of potassium in the blood
• Diabetes
• Thyrotoxicosis