I've heard bad things about Advair, should I be concerned?

Question

I was prescribed Singulair for my allergies and it didn't help my asthma. My doctor then prescribe Advair. I haven't had to use my inhaler since. But I've recently read some very bad things about Advair. Should I be concerned?

I was prescribed 250/50 and take it once a day. I found out the pharmacist screwed up and it was suppose to be taken twice a day. Since it has helped so much, I was told just to continue the once a day. Isn't it to be taken twice a day because it only lasts 12 hours? And shouldn't they have started me out with the smaller dosage (100/50) first? Maybe I would only need the 100/50? Sometimes I wonder about doctors and what they prescribe. I'm not sure they always go about it in the proper manner.

My doctor said some people believe Advair is similiar to a fast acting inhaler and us it as such. I was told this could be the reason for reported side effects such as death. What do you think about that?

Answer 1

I don't think you should be concerned about using Advair. I've been using it since 2001 with no bad effects. I'm not surprised that some docs and even pharmacists do make mistakes. I have COPD, not asthma, but the inhalers help both by opening the airways. I was started on the 250, then 500 awhile, then back to 250. Yes, each dose is for twelve hours, but maybe in your case it was enough, as evidenced by your not having to use your rescue inhaler. Don't know your age, but it's possible to outgrow asthma. Your lungs are so important, and whether or not your doc is a specialist, it's a good idea to get a second opinion. Most insurances pay for it, even a third. It's a good thing I did, because I was misdiagnosed and the doc missed a heartvalve problem. Good luck.

Answer 2

Yes,
This is a good questions. Should you have been prescribed Advair 250/50 or 100/50?
Based on the knowledge I have that your doctor prescribed singular with no other inhaler or possibly only albuterol as needed I think he should have prescribed the 100/50 Advair. Advair is a very good medication for asthmatics. It has a long acting bronchodilator that is supposed to be used twice a day. It also has a steroid. Many times if somebody responds to Advair once a day than we will only prescribe it that way to save money for the patient. However if the patient is relying more on his or her albuterol or rescue medication then increasing to one inhalation twice a day is needed. I am not aware of any disastrous side effects or adverse reactions of Advair.
Have a good day.

Answer 3

Advair is almost always prescribed twice a day. The 250/50 is the most popular strength for good reason. It's what works best for most adults. The 100/50 is mainly for kids.

The 'sudden death' reports have been anecdotally linked to salmeterol (one of the two medications in Advair). Of course these sudden deaths have never been observed in hospitals or other controlled environments, just people that are 'found dead clutching their inhalers'. The conventional wisdom is these folks suffered a fatal asthma attack and were of course trying anything they could get their hands on. Advair doesn't help acute attacks though.

Should you be concerned? Not in my opinion.

Answer 4

The recommended dose for advair is two inhalations, twice daily. It's hard to say who stated the once a day: the MD or a pharmacy error. Sometimes, the recommended dose is decreased in certain circumstances. The decision to start at a higher or lower dose depends on the severity of the illness and the size of the patient.
MDs prescribing ability does vary. If it's a drug he/she regularly prescribes, normally he/she is fairly good. This is why the prescribing and dispensing duties are split. If a MD makes a mistake, hopefully, the pharmacist will catch it before the patient starts the medication.

Answer 5

Fluticasone and salmeterol is the "other" name for Advair, the site below gives lots of info on it. If your previous meds didnt work very well it may be a case of take a small chance with side effects of Advair or suffer with asthma attacks.
You were possibly started on the higher dose because you had "failed" with the Singulair. The once a day or twice a day question would need to be put to your doctor.

Answer 6

There are poor side effects to any medication you take unfortunately. Yes, there have been some bad press lately about Advair. Its only to be used in people who do not have good control with other asthma medications. If it is helping, great! If you are concerned with the dosage you should contact your pharmacist or physician. No one on here is going to be able to give you a proper answer. Good luck. :)

Answer 7

doctors are over prescribing drugs all the time....as for the advair question...how bad is your asthma? Advair is and should be prescribed to patients who have asthma That is difficult to control...has your Doc tried you on any other types of inhalers before placing you on this? How severe is your asthma? were you functioning before the advair? How well was your asthma managed before the advair?
These are all questions you need to ask yourself and discuss with your doc. I have been asthmatic for almost 40 years...have very bad asthma that cannot be controlled except with the advair, so it is worth the risk....however each individual needs to weigh their won case.
Did your Doc try Qvar?

Answer 8

Do keep wondering about doctors, and find a new pharmacist.

In the meantime, a couple of Advair-ain't-great pages:

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF6852571880049276F
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/youropinions.php?opinionid=10361

IANAD ('I am not a doctor'), but 2 low doses over one big one sounds right to me, and -- well, I don't find Advair that useful, and the safety concerns are less than reassuring. If you're looking for something else, you might consider Flovent (fluticasone propionate). It works well for me, and it's cheaper, too. Perhaps partially because it's not relentlessly flogged in full-page adverts in glossy magazines, which invariably strikes me as a good reason to stay _away_ from a prescription drug.

Answer 9

It says right on their ad "Use of Advair can increase your risk of death due to asthma." You don't need to have a medical degree to know that Advair can kill you. Doctors are mostly idiots and will sell any pill or drug as long as the drug rep takes them to play golf. Seriously, doctors do not care what they prescribe you, as long as the FDA approved it. The FDA has a pretty bad track record if you ask me, so I don't trust any drug they approve. I understand asthma is a very serious disease and I'm not a doctor, but I know that there are alternatives to patent medicines. Check out some safer alternatives, it can't hurt (at least it wont kill you like the "approved" drugs can).

Answer 10

i take advair 250/50 it works great,i do think you should take it ever 12 hours but check with your doctor