Vim & Vigor - Fall 2008 - North Denver - (Page 44)

Important Information about ADVAIR DISKUS Can I take ADVAIR DISKUS with other medications? ADVAIR and certain other medicines may interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. If you are taking ADVAIR DISKUS, do not use other long-acting beta2-agonist–containing medications, such as SEREVENT® DISKUS or Foradil® Aerolizer,® for any reason. If you take ritonavir (an HIV medication), tell your doctor. Ritonavir may interact with ADVAIR and could cause serious side effects. The anti-HIV medicines Norvir® Soft Gelatin Capsules, Norvir Oral Solution, and Kaletra® contain ritonavir. What is the most important information I should know about ADVAIR DISKUS? In patients with asthma, long-acting beta2-agonist medicines such as salmeterol (one of the medications in ADVAIR®) may increase the chance of death from asthma problems. In a large asthma study, more patients who used salmeterol died from asthma problems compared with patients who did not use salmeterol. So ADVAIR is not for patients whose asthma is well controlled on another asthma controller medicine such as low- to medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids or only need a fast-acting inhaler once in a while. Talk with your doctor about this risk and the benefits of treating your asthma with ADVAIR. ADVAIR should not be used to treat a severe attack of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring emergency medical treatment. ADVAIR should not be used to relieve sudden symptoms or sudden breathing problems. Always have a fast-acting inhaler with you to treat sudden breathing difficulty. If you do not have a fast-acting inhaler, contact your doctor to have one prescribed for you. What is ADVAIR DISKUS? There are two medicines in ADVAIR: Fluticasone propionate, an inhaled anti-inflammatory belonging to a group of medicines commonly referred to as corticosteroids; and salmeterol, a long-acting, inhaled bronchodilator belonging to a group of medicines commonly referred to as beta2-agonists. There are 3 strengths of ADVAIR: 100/50, 250/50, 500/50. For Asthma • ADVAIR is approved for the maintenance treatment of asthma in patients 4 years of age and older. ADVAIR should only be used if your doctor decides that another asthma controller medicine alone does not control your asthma or that you need 2 asthma controller medications. • The strength of ADVAIR approved for patients ages 4 to 11 years who experience symptoms on an inhaled corticosteroid is ADVAIR DISKUS 100/50. All 3 strengths are approved for patients with asthma ages 12 years and older. For Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD is a chronic lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. ADVAIR DISKUS is used long term, twice a day to help improve lung function for better breathing in adults with COPD. ADVAIR DISKUS 250/50 has been shown to decrease the number of ﬂare-ups and worsening of COPD symptoms (exacerbations). Who should not take ADVAIR DISKUS? You should not start ADVAIR if your asthma is becoming significantly or rapidly worse, which can be life threatening. Serious respiratory events, including death, have been reported in patients who started taking salmeterol in this situation, although it is not possible to tell whether salmeterol contributed to these events. This may also occur in patients with less severe asthma. You should not take ADVAIR if you have had an allergic reaction to it or any of its components (salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, or lactose). Tell your doctor if you are allergic to ADVAIR, any other medications, or food products. If you experience an allergic reaction after taking ADVAIR, stop using ADVAIR immediately and contact your doctor. Allergic reactions are when you experience one or more of the following: choking; breathing problems; swelling of the face, mouth and/or tongue; rash; hives; itching; or welts on the skin. Tell your doctor about the following: • If you are using your fast-acting inhaler more often or using more doses than you normally do (e.g., 4 or more inhalations of your fast-acting inhaler for 2 or more days in a row or a whole canister of your fast-acting inhaler in 8 weeks’ time), it could be a sign that your asthma is getting worse. If this occurs, tell your doctor immediately. • If you have been using your fast-acting inhaler regularly (e.g., four times a day). Your doctor may tell you to stop the regular use of these medications. • If your peak flow meter results decrease. Your doctor will tell you the numbers that are right for you. • If you have asthma and your symptoms do not improve after using ADVAIR regularly for 1 week. • If you have been on an oral steroid, like prednisone, and are now using ADVAIR. You should be very careful as you may be less able to heal after surgery, infection, or serious injury. It takes a number of months for the body to recover its ability to make its own steroid hormones after use of oral steroids. Switching from an oral steroid may also unmask a condition previously suppressed by the oral steroid such as allergies, conjunctivitis, eczema, arthritis, and eosinophilic conditions. Symptoms of an eosinophilic condition can include rash, worsening breathing problems, heart complications, and/or feeling of “pins and needles” or numbness in the arms and legs. Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. • Sometimes patients experience unexpected bronchospasm right after taking ADVAIR. This condition can be life threatening and if it occurs, you should immediately stop using ADVAIR and seek immediate medical attention. • If you have any type of heart disease such as coronary artery disease, irregular heart beat or high blood pressure, ADVAIR should be used with caution. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your condition because salmeterol, one of the components of ADVAIR, may affect the heart by increasing heart rate and blood pressure. It may cause symptoms such as heart fluttering, chest pain, rapid heart rate, tremor, or nervousness. • If you have seizures, overactive thyroid gland, liver problems, or are sensitive to certain medications for breathing. • If your breathing problems get worse over time or if your fast-acting inhaler does not work as well for you while using ADVAIR. If your breathing problems worsen quickly, get emergency medical care. • If you have been exposed to or currently have chickenpox or measles or if you have an immune system problem. Patients using medications that weaken the immune system are more likely to get infections than healthy individuals. ADVAIR contains a corticosteroid (fluticasone propionate) which may weaken the immune system. Infections like chickenpox and measles, for example, can be very serious or even fatal in susceptible patients using corticosteroids. How should I take ADVAIR DISKUS? ADVAIR should be used 1 inhalation, twice a day (morning and evening). ADVAIR should never be taken more than 1 inhalation twice a day. The full benefit of taking ADVAIR may take 1 week or longer. If you miss a dose of ADVAIR, just skip that dose. Take your next dose at your usual time. Do not take two doses at one time. Do not stop using ADVAIR unless told to do so by your doctor because your symptoms might get worse. Do not change or stop any of your medicines used to control or treat your breathing problems. Your doctor will adjust your medicines as needed. When using ADVAIR, remember: • Never breathe into or take the DISKUS® apart. • Always use the DISKUS in a level position. • After each inhalation, rinse your mouth with water without swallowing. • Never wash any part of the DISKUS. Always keep it in a dry place. • Never take an extra dose, even if you feel you did not receive a dose. • Discard 1 month after removal from the foil pouch. • Do not use ADVAIR with a spacer device. Children should use ADVAIR with an adult’s help as instructed by the child’s doctor. No formal drug interaction studies have been performed with ADVAIR. In clinical studies, there were no differences in effects on the heart when ADVAIR was taken with varying amounts of albuterol. The effect of using ADVAIR in patients with asthma while taking more than 9 puffs a day of albuterol has not been studied. ADVAIR should be used with extreme caution during and up to 2 weeks after treatment with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants since these medications can cause ADVAIR to have an even greater effect on the circulatory system. Generally, people with asthma should not take beta-blockers because they counteract the effects of beta2-agonists and may also cause severe bronchospasm. However, in some cases, for instance, following a heart attack, selective beta-blockers may still be used if there is no acceptable alternative. The ECG changes and/or low blood potassium that may occur with some diuretics may be made worse by ADVAIR, especially at higher-than-recommended doses. Caution should be used when these drugs are used together. In clinical studies, there was no difference in side effects when ADVAIR was taken with methylxanthines (e.g., theophylline) or with FLONASE® (fluticasone propionate). What are other important safety considerations with ADVAIR DISKUS? Pneumonia: People with COPD taking ADVAIR may have a higher chance of pneumonia. Call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: change in amount or color of sputum, fever, chills, increased cough, or increased breathing problems. Osteoporosis: Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids may result in bone loss (osteoporosis). Patients who are at risk for increased bone loss (tobacco use, advanced age, inactive lifestyle, poor nutrition, family history of osteoporosis, or long-term use of drugs such as corticosteroids) may have a greater risk with ADVAIR. If you have risk factors for bone loss, you should talk to your doctor about ways to reduce http://www.ADVAIR.com http://www.ADVAIR.com

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Vim & Vigor - Fall 2008 - North Denver Contents A Mission in Motion For Your Health Goal! Seeing Beyond Time Equals Muscle The Fiber Solution Prize Fighters On the Cover: Spreading the News I'm Glad I Had a... Tailor-Made Beyond the Bedside On Track Living the Good Life Little Kids, Big Decisions Zeroing In Right At Home Beating the Clock Community Connections Ask the Experts

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2008 - North Denver

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