Advair Diskus Directions

Using Advair Diskus properly is key to long-term relief of lung disease symptoms.

The Advair Diskus is a metered dose, powder inhaler made by Glaxo Smith Kline. It treats chronic lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, with two medications that work separately to improve lung function. Fluticasone propionate is to shrink airway inflammation and salmeterol, is a long-acting bronchodilator, or tubule opener, assisting in relieving bronchospasm, or tubule shrinkage, to make breathing easier. Proper use of the Advair Diskus is necessary to receive the medication's maximum benefit. The Advair Diskus comes in three strengths. Your doctor will determine which is appropriate for you.

Things You'll Need

• Advair Diskus

Instructions

1. Hold the Advair Diskus in one hand in a horizontal position. Place the thumb of your other hand on the thumb rest. With your thumb, push the thumb rest away from you as far as it will go. You will hear a click as the mouthpiece appears and locks into place.

2. Change hands and hold the Advair Diskus in your left hand. Put your thumb on the protruding lever on the right side of the unit and slide the lever all the way back as far as it will go. You will hear another click. This click means the Diskus has loaded with a dose of medication and is ready for use. Each time the lever is advanced, the chamber of the Diskus will fill with medication. The number of doses remaining is always visible in a little meter on top of the Diskus. Do not advance the lever more than once.

3. Hold the Advair Diskus level and away from your mouth, exhale and expel as much air as you can comfortably. Place your mouth over the mouthpiece of the Diskus and inhale quickly and deeply through your mouth. Remove the Diskus from your mouth and hold your breath for as long as you comfortably can and then exhale deeply.

4. Close the Advair Diskus by holding it horizontally and placing your thumb back onto the thumb rest and sliding the thumb rest back toward you as far as it will go. The mouthpiece will disappear and the medication-dispensing lever will return to its normal position. The Diskus is ready for you to store until your next dose is necessary.

5. Rinse your mouth out with water but do not swallow. This removes any bad tasting powder residue and keeps your mouth from drying out.

Tips & Warnings

• The Advair Diskus is not intended for use with an acute,or sudden-onset asthma attack. You will need a rescue inhaler of albuterol for these situations.

• Never take more than one dose even if you think you did not receive a full dose from the Advair Diskus.

• Do not inhale into the mouthpiece of the Advair Diskus, as moisture from your breath can contaminate the medication chamber, which is powder based.

• Do not wash the Diskus; this will comtaminate the powdered medication.

• Store the unit in a cool, dry place to prevent damage to the contents of the Advair Diskus.

References

• Health Central: Advair Diskus Uses
• Drugs.com: Advair Diskus consumer information
• Advair.com: Asthma Treatment and COPD
• Drugs.com: Advair Diskus Powder Facts