Advair, Advair Hfa, Fluticasone-salmeterol

Introduction

Written by Helen Marshall BPharm MRPharmS
Medically reviewed by Purva Singla, PharmD
Updated on July 13, 2023

Wixela Inhub (wicks-EL-uh IN-hub) is a generic medication prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Wixela Inhub is a combination inhaler containing a corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) drug.

Common questions about Wixela Inhub

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Wixela Inhub.

How does Wixela Inhub compare with Symbicort?

Wixela Inhub and Symbicort are similar medications. They’re combination inhalers containing a corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist (LABA). Wixela Inhub contains fluticasone and salmeterol, while Symbicort contains budesonide and formoterol.

Wixela Inhub comes as a dry powder inhaler. Symbicort comes as a metered-dose inhaler. The inhalers can cause similar side effects.

Doctors may prescribe both Wixela Inhub and Symbicort for asthma. Wixela Inhub is prescribed for people ages 4 years and older. Symbicort is prescribed for people ages 6 years and older. Doctors also prescribe both medications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults.

To learn more about how Wixela Inhub compares with Symbicort, talk with your doctor. They can help determine if one of these medications is a good choice for you.

Is Wixela Inhub a generic form of Advair?

Advair comes in two different forms. One form is a metered dose inhaler called Advair HFA. The other is a dry powder inhaler called Advair Diskus.

Wixela Inhub is a generic version of Advair Diskus. It’s a dry powder inhaler that contains the same active drugs as Advair Diskus. It’s also available in the same strengths as Advair Diskus. Wixela Inhub is interchangeable with Advair Diskus.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Wixela Inhub is not a generic version of Advair HFA.

If you have questions about which inhaler is right for you, talk with your doctor.

How does Wixela Inhub work? And how long does it take to start working?

Wixela Inhub is a long-term treatment for asthma and COPD. With both conditions, inflammation and mucus build up in the airways of your lungs. This makes it harder for air to flow through them. With asthma, your airways tighten. With COPD, the tiny air sacs in your lungs become damaged.

Wixela Inhub contains two active drugs that work in different ways. Fluticasone reduces inflammation and mucus in your airways. Salmeterol relaxes the muscles around your airways, allowing them to open wider. Both actions allow air to flow more easily through your airways. This reduces symptoms of asthma and COPD, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough. It also helps prevent flare-ups of asthma and COPD that cause sudden breathing difficulties.

Wixela Inhub starts working about 30–60 minutes after taking your first dose. But it may take a week or more to notice the full effects on your symptoms.

If you’d like to know more about how Wixela Inhub works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of Wixela Inhub

Wixela Inhub may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Wixela Inhub and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Wixela Inhub’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Wixela Inhub listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with Wixela Inhub are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Wixela Inhub’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for Wixela Inhub listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Wixela Inhub’s mild side effects include:

• respiratory infections such as the common cold
• hoarse voice
• oral thrush (yeast infection of the mouth)
• headaches
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Wixela Inhub” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Wixela Inhub are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Wixela Inhub’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for Wixela Inhub listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Wixela Inhub’s serious side effects include:

• sudden, unexpected breathing problems right after taking a dose
• increased blood pressure
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts
• weakening of bones
• low blood potassium level
• high blood sugar level
• adrenal gland problems
• infections
• pneumonia in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• slowed growth in children†
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Wixela Inhub” section.
† In studies, this side effect was seen in prepubescent children ages 4– 11 years.

Uses of Wixela Inhub

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Wixela Inhub for certain conditions. Approved uses for Wixela Inhub are described below.

Use for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Doctors may prescribe Wixela Inhub dry powder inhaler for:

• treating asthma in adults and children ages 4 years and older
• treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults

It’s usually prescribed as a long-term, daily treatment for these conditions.

With asthma and COPD, you have inflammation and narrowing of your airways. This causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough. With asthma, certain triggers can make these symptoms worsen suddenly. This is called an asthma attack. With COPD, you may also have periods where your symptoms flare up.

Wixela Inhub is a long-term combination inhaler. It reduces inflammation in your airways and relaxes them to help keep them open. This makes breathing easier and helps prevent asthma attacks and flare-ups of your asthma or COPD.

Wixela Inhub should not be used to relieve an asthma attack or sudden breathing problems. Sudden breathing problems should be treated with a rescue inhaler that opens your airways quickly. Ventolin (albuterol) is an example of a rescue inhaler. Your doctor will likely prescribe a rescue inhaler with Wixela Inhub.

Interactions and warnings for Wixela Inhub

Below, you’ll find information about Wixela Inhub’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Wixela Inhub

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use Wixela Inhub, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Wixela Inhub” section below.

Warnings for Wixela Inhub

Some people should not use Wixela Inhub, and others should use it cautiously.

Wixela Inhub could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Wixela Inhub is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Wixela Inhub, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Wixela Inhub can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Wixela Inhub or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Wixela Inhub. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Wixela Inhub, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Wixela Inhub

You should not use more Wixela Inhub than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much Wixela Inhub, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Wixela Inhub

Information about Wixela Inhub and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Wixela Inhub and pregnancy

There may be risks to using Wixela Inhub during pregnancy. But there are also risks with having untreated asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) while pregnant. (Keep in mind that Wixela Inhub is used for treating asthma and COPD.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about asthma and COPD treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take Wixela Inhub during pregnancy.

Wixela Inhub and breastfeeding

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

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about Wixela Inhub or would like more details about it.

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

• How does Wixela Inhub compare with my other treatment options?
• Will I use Wixela Inhub with other medications?
• Am I at a higher risk of side effects with Wixela Inhub than other people?
• Will I need to be monitored while using Wixela Inhub?

Resources

• Wixela Inhub (fluticasone propionate and salmeterol inhalation powder), for oral inhalation use. (2019). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/208891Orig1s000lbl.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.