Can you build up a tolerance to advair?

Question

I have been on the 250 dose since it hit the market, but it seems lately that it's not near as effective. I know you can build a tolerance to albuterol, after using it for 28 years now. I know this would be best answered by my doctor, but was wondering tonight. And yes, I use it twice a day as prescribed, religiously. The older I get, the worse my athsma gets.

Answer 1

No, true tolerance has not been seen in studies. Tolerance refers to decreased sensitivity to a drug as a result of repeated exposure to the drug. Larger amounts of the drug must be administered to produce an effect. Caused by compensatory mechanisms that oppose the effects of the drug.

Regular use of long-acting beta(2)-agonists or inhaled corticosteroids are not associated with significant tolerance to their bronchodilator action, impairment in the response to albuterol, decreased baseline pulmonary function, increased response to methacholine, or increased risk of adverse cardiac events.

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006 Jan;117(1):3-16.

The highest dose recommended is one inhalation twice a day of the 500/50 strength. If you are still symptomatic, talk to your doctor. Do not use more than twice day, higher doses can cause significant side effects and can be dangerous.

Below is from official prescribing information.

Be well.

Rick the Pharmacist

ADVAIR DISKUS should be administered twice daily every day. More frequent administration (more than twice daily) or a higher number of inhalations (more than 1 inhalation twice daily) of the prescribed strength of ADVAIR DISKUS is not recommended as some patients are more likely to experience adverse effects with higher doses of salmeterol. The safety and efficacy of ADVAIR DISKUS when administered in excess of recommended doses have not been established.

If symptoms arise in the period between doses, an inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonist should be taken for immediate relief.

For patients who do not respond adequately to the starting dosage after 2 weeks of therapy, replacing the current strength of ADVAIR DISKUS with a higher strength may provide additional improvement in asthma control.

If a previously effective dosage regimen of ADVAIR DISKUS fails to provide adequate improvement in asthma control, the therapeutic regimen should be reevaluated and additional therapeutic options, e.g., replacing the current strength of ADVAIR DISKUS with a higher strength, adding additional inhaled corticosteroid, or initiating oral corticosteroids, should be considered.

Answer 2

Many asthma drugs are steroids designed to open the air ways. The thing about them is that the body when it has a constant dose of drugs like steroids in the system can build up a tolerance. It is the same thing that happens with athletes that use illegal steroids, they find after a while that they must go to a higher level to maintain their effectiveness.

So in short yes, the human body does have the capacity to build a tolerance to any drug. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

You need to see your pulmonary doctor and do a lung function test. That will tell you what you need to know. Everyone with breathing problems should have this test once a year at least.

Of course, if your asthma is getting worse there is something wrong. Either your meds need changing or you could have emphysema. You certainly need to see your doctor.

Answer 4

Actually, the best person to ask is a pharmicist, they're more knowledgeable (and accessible) than your dr. Call CVS or a Walgreen's pharmacist and they'll tell you. You canprobably build up a resistence to most medicines I would imagine. Call and ask.