Advair is a prescription drug made by GlaxoSmithKline that is used for the treatment of airway spasms or bronchospasms caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. It has two active ingredients-fluticasone and salmeterol. The first ingredient is a steroid while the other is a bronchodilator. Advair works by relaxing the muscles in the airways,
improving breathing in the process. However, this drug won’t be able to treat an asthma attack that is already occurring. Advair comes in two forms- the Advair Diskus that is recommended for asthma and COPD, and the HFA inhaler that is approved only for asthma. Advair Diskus is a powder form which comes with an inhaler device loaded with blister packs. Each blister pack contains exact doses of the medicine. On the other hand the Advair HFA inhaler is an aerosol type available in a canister. It is used with an actuator inhaler. Prior to using this drug, patients are advised to inform their physicians any food or drug allergy, or history of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis, and thyroid disorder. People with a weak immune system, liver disease and infection may also be barred from using Advair.
Advair Cost Information
The prices of Advair differs depending on various factors. These include the stores retailing it, the dosage and the availability of discount coupons. On the average, an inhaler of Advair Diskus 250mcg/50mcg is priced at around $250 in most online stores. But the price can be lower if a buyer is able to present or use discount coupons.
Dosage | Quantity | Price Without Insurance |
CVS Pharmacy |
| 100 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $278.00 |
| 250 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $339.00 |
| 500 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $444.00 |
Kmart |
| 100 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $276.00 |
| 250 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $343.00 |
| 500 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $425.00 |
Kroger |
| 100 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $283.89 |
| 250 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $330.00 |
| 500 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $455.00 |
Publix |
| 100 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $279.00 |
| 250 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $349.00 |
| 500 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $458.00 |
Rite Aid |
| 100 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $290.00 |
| 250 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $353.99 |
| 500 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $465.99 |
Target |
| 100 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $249.00 |
| 250 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $320.00 |
| 500 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $415.00 |
Walgreens |
| 100 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $284.00 |
| 250 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $320.00 |
| 500 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $407.00 |
Walmart |
| 100 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $232.54 |
| 250 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $287.71 |
| 500 mcg/50 mcg | 1 inhaler | $376.85 |
Short-Term Side Effects
Advair can make its users experience side effects like fast or uneven heartbeat, white patches on the mouth or lips, and fever. Other users of Advair also complain of chills, chest pain, cough with green mucus, eye pain, and blurred vision. Some even feel their asthma symptoms worsened after using Advair. Most of these short term side effects will go away once the body gets used to the medication.
Long-Term Side Effects
The continued use of Advair can expose the user to risks of chronic headache, dizziness, dry mouth, throat and nose, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Chronic Advair use may also lead to a person developing sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, sinus pain and hoarseness.
How It Works
Fluticasone present in Advair has anti-inflammatory properties. When inhaled by the user, it relieves the inflammation and widens the airways back to its original size. Another way that this drug works is through the relief of the constricted airways. This happens when the muscles around the air tract tighten. Allergens and irritants go in the inflamed airways, and this causes the body to react by tightening the muscles in order to push the allergens down the airways and halt the irritation. With the help of salmeterol, Advair causes the relaxation of the muscles around the airways and this results to restarting of the airflow.
Interactions
Drugs like anti-HIV such as Norvir, Crixivan, Invirase and Viracept may interact with Advair. The same goes for MAO inhibitors like Marplan, Parnate, Nardil, Azilect and Emsam.
Generic Alternatives
People who find Advair too pricey can settle for other alternatives like Vanceril and Ventolin.
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