What is Wixela Inhub: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jul 11, 2025  •  Published Jan 25, 2023

Wixela Inhub is a prescription powder inhaler for people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Wixela Inhub combines two long-acting medications: fluticasone, a corticosteroid that reduces swelling, and salmeterol, a long-acting bronchodilator that widens airways. Wixela Inhub is for maintenance treatment only. It is not appropriate for use as a rescue inhaler.

Wixela Inhub overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Wixela Inhub

Generic Names:

  • Fluticasone-salmeterol

Uses:

  • Treats and prevents symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antiasthma, anti-inflammatory/bronchodilator combination

Forms:

  • Powder aerosol

How it’s taken:

  • Inhalation

What is Wixela Inhub used for?

Wixela Inhub is a maintenance treatment for asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.

What form(s) does Wixela Inhub come in

  • Powder aerosol

    • 100 mcg fluticasone/50 mcg salmeterol

    • 250 mcg/50 mcg

    • 500 mcg/50 mcg

What are common Wixela Inhub doses?

  • For asthma maintenance treatment:

    • In adults and children 12 years of age and older: One inhalation of 100/50, 250/50, or 500/50 Wixela Inhub twice daily

    • In children 4–11 years of age: One inhalation of 100/50 Wixela Inhub twice daily

  • For the maintenance treatment of COPD in adults: One inhalation of 250/50 Wixela Inhub twice daily

Common Wixela Inhub prescriptions

  • Wixela Inhub
    60 dose inhaler, 100-50mcg/act inhaler

  • Wixela Inhub
    60 dose inhaler, 250-50mcg/act inhaler

  • Wixela Inhub
    60 dose inhaler, 500-50mcg/act inhaler

How to take Wixela Inhub

  • Follow all the instructions given by the prescriber. 

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

  • Take two doses daily.

    • Take each dose at the same time every day.

    • Take doses 12 hours apart.

  • The inhaler contains 60 doses, enough medicine for 30 days. The dose counter will initially read “60.”

  • Only remove the inhaler from its pouch when ready to take the first dose.

  • When taking a dose: 

    • Open the inhaler by first lowering the mouthpiece cover. Then pull the yellow lever all the way down until it clicks. The dose is now ready to be inhaled.

    • Do not move the lever or close the cover until ready to take a dose.

    • Facing away from the inhaler, breathe out as much as possible. 

    • Hold the inhaler by the back in a vertical position with the opened cover facing down.

    • Place the mouthpiece between your lips.

    • Breathe in quickly and deeply.

    • Remove the mouthpiece from your mouth and hold your breath for 10 seconds.

    • Breathe out slowly for as long as you can.

    • Do not take another dose.

    • Close the mouthpiece. This will automatically push the yellow lever back to its original position.

    • Rinse your mouth out with water and spit it out.

  • Do not wash the inhaler.

  • Throw the empty inhaler away when the dose count reaches “0” or one month has passed since it was removed from its pouch.

  • Store the inhaler at room temperature in a dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.

What to do if you miss a dose of Wixela Inhub

  • If a dose is missed, skip it.

  • Take the next dose at its regular time. 

  • Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.

Wixela Inhub contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. 

  • Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to salmeterol, fluticasone, or milk proteins.

Wixela Inhub warnings

  • Tell all doctors and other healthcare providers treating you about Wixela Inhub.

  • Regular visits are required to monitor therapy and progress. Keep all appointments.

  • Before using Wixela Inhub, tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have:

    • Heart problems

    • High blood pressure

    • Seizures

    • Diabetes

    • Liver problems

    • Thyroid problems

    • Immune system problems

    • Weak bones (osteoporosis)

    • Any current or past eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, high eye pressure, or vision changes

    • Any active viral, bacterial, or fungal infection

    • Exposure to chickenpox or measles

  • Wixela Inhub can cause serious problems, including:

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

    • Sudden airway closure and breathing problems right after a dose

    • Weakened immune system

    • Infections

    • Pneumonia (in COPD patients)

    • Fungal infection of the mouth

    • Cataracts

    • Glaucoma

    • High blood pressure

    • Abnormal heart rhythms

    • Chest pain

    • Seizures

    • Reduced adrenal gland function

    • Bone thinning or weakness

    • Low potassium

    • Increases in blood sugar levels

    • Stunted growth (in children)

  • This medicine will not stop an active exacerbation. Always carry a rescue inhaler in case of an acute asthma attack or COPD exacerbation. 

  • Contact the prescriber if your condition worsens, which is usually indicated by more frequent use of a rescue inhaler. The healthcare provider may need to increase the dose or switch you to oral corticosteroids.

Wixela Inhub interactions

  • Do not use Wixela Inhub with other inhaled medicines that contain drugs similar to salmeterol called long-acting beta agonists (LABAs). These include formoterol, indacaterol, and vilanterol. 

  • To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all drugs regularly used, particularly:

  • Avoid grapefruit juice when taking Wixela Inhub.

  • People who switch to Wixela Inhub from oral corticosteroids may experience steroid withdrawal. If this happens, the prescriber may need to restart oral corticosteroids. 

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

Wixela Inhub side effects

Serious side effects

Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:

  • Sudden breathing problems that start immediately after taking a dose

  • Worsening of asthma or COPD symptoms

  • Increase in mucus production, mucus color changes, productive cough, increased cough, fever, chills, worsening breathing problems

  • Tremors, nervousness, shaking

  • Changes in skin color, skin rash, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, depression

  • Fast or irregular heartbeats, increased blood pressure, chest pain

  • Eye pain, vision changes, sensitivity to light

  • Tiredness, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, heart palpitations

  • Redness, sores, or white patches in your mouth or throat

  • Infection: fever, chills, aches and pains, tiredness, nausea, vomiting 

  • Allergic reaction: Skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, fainting

Less serious side effects

  • Upper respiratory infection

  • Pneumonia (COPD patients)

  • Sore throat

  • Hoarseness

  • Cough

  • Headache

  • Muscle pain

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Fungal infection in the mouth

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