What is Advair HFA? Uses, warnings & side effects

Follow all the prescriber’s instructions. Do not take more doses than prescribed or take them more often than prescribed.

Please read the Patient Information sheet and the Instructions for Use that come with this medicine.

Take two doses per day.

Each dose consists of two inhalations.

Take the doses at the same time every day, spaced 12 hours apart.

Before taking a dose:

• Do not use the Advair HFA canister with any other actuator. Do not use the Advair HFA actuator with any other canister.

• The canister should fit firmly in the canister with the dose counter showing.

• The canister will need to be primed before its first use. Follow the priming directions in the Instructions for Use.

• The medicine should be at room temperature when taking a dose.

Taking a dose:

• Hold the inhaler by the mouthpiece and shake it well for five seconds.

• Breathe out through your mouth. Try to expel as much air as possible.

• Place the actuator’s mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it.

• Push the canister all the way down while breathing in deeply.

• Release the canister after it’s done spraying.

• Continue to breathe in. When finished, remove the actuator from your mouth.

• Hold your breath for 10 seconds.

• Wait 30 seconds.

• Repeat the entire procedure a second time. Start by shaking the canister for five seconds. 

• Rinse your mouth out with water and spit out all the water.

Throw away the inhaler when the dose counter reaches 000.

Store Advair HFA at room temperature. 

Do not puncture the canister.

Do not expose the canister to open flame or heat (above 120˚F).

If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose.

Take the next dose as scheduled. 

Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use Advair HFA if you have had an allergic reaction to salmeterol or fluticasone. 

Do not use Advair HFA to treat an asthma attack.

The prescriber will need to monitor the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Tell all doctors and other healthcare providers treating you that you are taking Advair.

Contact the prescriber if your asthma does not improve, or it worsens. 

Before using Advair, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have:

• Heart problems

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• High blood pressure

• Liver problems

• Diabetes

• Immune system problems

• Thyroid problems

• Bone density problems (osteoporosis)

• Eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, or vision changes

• A history of seizures

• Any active infection

• Exposure to chickenpox or measles

Advair HFA can cause serious problems in some people, including:

• Increased risk of asthma-related hospital stays, intubations, and death

• Sudden breathing problems right after a dose

• Weakened immune system

• Infections

• Pneumonia

• Fungal infection of the mouth

• Cataracts

• Glaucoma

• Increased blood pressure

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Chest pain

• Seizures

• Adrenal gland problems

• Bone thinning

• Low potassium

• High blood sugar

• Stunted growth (in children)

This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. You should have another medicine to use in case of an acute asthma attack or COPD flare-up.

Do not use Advair HFA with other inhaled medicines that contain a long-acting beta agonist, such as formoterol, indacaterol, or vilanterol. 

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use, particularly:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Tricyclic antidepressants

• Beta blockers

• Drugs that make you pee (diuretics)

• Azole antifungal drugs, particularly ketoconazole

• Drugs that treat HIV/AIDS, particularly ritonavir

• Clarithromycin, nefazodone, Paxlovid, telithromycin

Avoid grapefruit juice when taking Advair.

People already taking oral corticosteroids for their asthma may experience steroid withdrawal when switching to Advair. If this happens, the prescriber may need to restart oral corticosteroids. 

Do not start any new medications until talking to the prescriber.