Medication Intro-FEB/04- Advair Diskus

[Guest alsfirefighter]

This is just an idea I came up with to review a different medication once a month, generallly some of the newer ones we are seeing being used by our patients. I am going to try, (key word: try) to do this once a month.

DRUG: Advair Diskus (Manf: GlaxoSmithKline)

GENERIC NAME: fluticasone propionate, salmeterol xinafoate

USES: Asthma, COPD

Mechanism of Action: 2 Classes

Synthetic Corticosteriod (fluticasone)

Selective, long lasting beta 2 adrenergic receptor

agonist

PREG CAT: C (if you see a pregnant person on this, it may be a sign that they have a significant hx of Asthma/COPD

Half-Life: 5 1/2 to 7 hours

Doses: fluticasone/salmeterol

100/50 250/50 500/50

Contraindications: Status Asthmaticus or other episodes needing

needing definitive medical care

Hypersensitivity

Side Effects: Paradoxical Bronchospasm

Immunosuppression

Precautions: Pt's w/ cardiovascular disorders and any other conditions that may potentiate w/ sympathomimetic's.

Admin to pt's under the age of 12 (I have seen 6 yr olds on this med)

Note: While we do not administer this product it is important to note that this medication gives a statement that it is not for use in acute asthma or exacerbation of COPD episodes and that short term beta agonists are still needed in such episodes. Therefore our treatment regiment generally would not change with the exception perhaps of solu-medrol admin being Advair contains a corticosteroid already.

Reference: http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_advair.pdf