Advair side effects: A detailed guide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved Advair Diskus to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. It’s not known whether Advair HFA is safe and effective in people with COPD.

This article describes possible side effects of Advair. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Advair, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.

Advair is a brand-name medication that comes as inhalers (Advair Diskus and Advair HFA). It’s available in a generic version called fluticasone/salmeterol. This article describes possible side effects of Advair.

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More common side effects of Advair

Advair may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects reported in the prescribing information for Advair Diskus and Advair HFA:

• upper respiratory infection
• throat irritation
• voice changes, such as a hoarse voice
• headache
• nausea and vomiting

Mild side effects of Advair

Advair may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Advair that have occurred in studies include:

• cough
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• pain in your bones or muscles
• swelling and inflammation in your nose and sinuses
• throat irritation
• upper respiratory infection
• voice changes, such as a hoarse voice
• oral thrush*
• mild allergic reaction†

Advair may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information for Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Advair in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with Advair. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies but has happened since Advair was approved.

Serious side effects of Advair

Advair may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from using Advair Diskus or Advair HFA, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Advair Diskus or Advair HFA.

Serious side effects of Advair that have occurred in studies include:

• adrenal insufficiency**
• bone mineral density loss, which can cause osteoporosis
• eye problems*
• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar
• irregular heart rhythm
• low blood potassium
• paradoxical bronchospasm*
• pneumonia, in people using Advair Diskus to treat COPD
• immunosuppression (weakened immune system)†
• severe allergic reaction††

These side effects were reported in studies of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Advair in detail” section below.
† This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Advair. But it has occurred in medications, like Advair, that contain corticosteroids.
†† An allergic reaction is possible with Advair. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies but has happened since Advair was approved.

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Side effects of Advair in children

For children, doctors prescribe Advair to treat asthma. The drug is used for this purpose in children ages 4 years and older (Advair Diskus) or ages 12 years and older (Advair HFA).

In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:

• slowed growth rate
• ear, nose, or throat infection
• fever
• throat pain

These side effects were reported in studies of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.

Regarding slowed growth rate, your doctor will track your child’s growth during treatment with Advair.

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking Advair, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of Advair

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Advair. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Advair cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases Advair may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with Advair include:

• adrenal insufficiency
• bone mineral density loss, which can cause osteoporosis
• slowed growth rate, in children
• immunosuppression (weakened immune system)

These side effects were reported in studies of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of Advair may last.

How long do side effects of Advair usually last?

It depends. In most cases, mild side effects caused by Advair go away on their own. In rare cases, Advair can cause serious side effects which may last long term. See the question above for examples.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects from Advair that bother you or don’t go away. They can suggest the best way to treat your symptoms.

Can Advair cause anxiety?

Maybe. Anxiety wasn’t reported in studies of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. But it has been reported with Advair HFA since the drug was approved for use.

Advair can cause increased heart rate, which could cause symptoms of anxiety. Nervousness has also been reported. But Advair isn’t expected to cause long-term anxiety or anxiety disorders.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about Advair and anxiety.

Can Advair cause weight gain?

No, it’s not likely. Weight gain was not reported in studies of Advair Diskus. There were rare reports of weight gain in studies of Advair HFA. And since both forms of Advair have been approved, weight gain has not been widely reported.

Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may cause weight gain. These medications are sometimes prescribed to treat worsening asthma or asthma that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

Advair contains an inhaled corticosteroid. Unlike oral corticosteroids, research on inhaled corticosteroids and weight gain isn’t as clear. But to date, it appears inhaled corticosteroids usually don’t cause weight gain.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned about weight or are curious if medications you take could be causing it.

Side effects of Advair in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Advair.

Oral thrush

In studies, oral thrush (fungal infection in the mouth) was somewhat common in people taking Advair. This side effect is usually mild but may be serious in rare cases.

This side effect was reported in studies of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. It’s a known risk of many inhaled medications, including Advair.

Symptoms of oral thrush include:

• yellow or white bumps in your mouth and throat
• dry mouth
• inability to taste food

To lower your risk of oral thrush while using Advair, use water to “rinse and spit” your mouth after every use of Advair Diskus or Advair HFA. Do not swallow the water.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of oral thrush, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment. If they confirm this side effect, they can prescribe an antifungal medication to treat the infection.

Paradoxical bronchospasm

Paradoxical bronchospasm didn’t happen in studies of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. But this is a known rare side effect of using any inhaler. And it has been reported with both forms of Advair since they were approved for use.

With paradoxical bronchospasm, you experience sudden tightening in your airways and difficulty breathing immediately after using a dose of Advair.

Symptoms may include choking, wheezing, and swelling in your airways. This reaction can be life threatening as it can interfere with your ability to breathe.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm, immediately use your rescue inhaler as directed by your doctor. If your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.

Once your symptoms are managed, call your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with Advair, and can recommend another treatment for your condition instead.

Eye problems

Eye problems are a rare side effect possible in people using Advair. These side effects may be serious.

Eye problems caused by Advair include:

• glaucoma: Symptoms of glaucoma can include severe eye pain, seeing colored rings when looking at lights, and eye redness.
• cataracts: Symptoms of cataracts can include blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, and seeing colored rings when looking at lights.
• other vision changes

These side effects weren’t reported in studies of studies of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. But they have happened since Advair was approved for use.

Long-term use can increase the risk of eye problems with Advair.

Ways to manage

During treatment with Advair, your doctor may instruct you to have your eyes examined regularly. Routine eye exams can help detect eye problems early if they occur. Early detection and treatment of eye problems can prevent serious vision loss.

If you experience symptoms of eye problems described above, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment for an eye exam. This will help them determine the best way to treat your symptoms.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Advair can cause an allergic reaction. It wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies but has happened since Advair was approved.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Advair, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for Advair

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before using Advair Diskus or Advair HFA.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to use Advair if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Advair is a safe treatment option for you.

Before using Advair Diskus or Advair HFA, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• current infections
• epilepsy or seizures
• glaucoma, cataracts, or other eye problems
• heart conditions, such as arrhythmia
• high blood pressure
• liver conditions, such as cirrhosis
• osteoporosis or other condition causing weak bones
• recent exposure to chickenpox or measles
• thyroid conditions, such as overactive thyroid or underactive thyroid
• type 1 or 2 diabetes
• immunosuppression (weakened immune system)
• milk protein allergy, with Advair Diskus (Advair HFA doesn’t contain milk proteins.)
• past allergic reaction to Advair

Advair and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Advair should be used during pregnancy. But unmanaged asthma during pregnancy can cause negative outcomes, including low birth weight.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication. They can help plan an asthma treatment regimen for you during your pregnancy.

Advair and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Advair should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Advair and alcohol

Advair isn’t known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Advair.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of Advair. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How do the side effects of Advair compare with those of other inhalers that can treat my condition?
• Is my risk of side effects from Advair higher based on my health history?
• Does my risk of irregular heart rhythm decrease as I continue using an Advair inhaler?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.