There is no generic version of Advair Diskus in the United States, but an Advair Diskus generic alternative is available through a Canadian pharmacy. The generic Advair Diskus is sold under its active ingredients, fluticasone and salmeterol. Through My Drug Center, you can save up to 90 percent on your prescription costs. If you purchase generic Advair Diskus, you can save even more money.

Generic versions are cheaper than brand names because the expensive clinical trials are already complete. For this reason, generic medications are typically much more affordable than their brand-name counterpart. Once a drug is allowed to be produced as a generic, there is also market competition. It is in the manufacturer's best interest to keep generic prices low to remain a competitor in the market. 

What is Advair Diskus prescribed for?

This medication is used to control and prevent symptoms caused by asthma or ongoing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a group of progressive lung diseases that cause obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms consist of: breathing difficulty, cough, mucus production and wheezing. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and a variety of other conditions.  It is estimated that about 30 million people in the United States have COPD, and as many as half are unaware that they have it. Medications, supplemental oxygen therapy, and surgery are some forms of treatment and generally improve quality of life.

Asthma is one of the most common long-term lung diseases. Asthma often develops in childhood, but adults can have asthma too. Asthma occurs when the lungs encounter an allergen, triggering symptoms of breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Advair Diskus can be used to open the airways and prevent the occurrence of asthma attacks. 

How does Advair Diskus work?

The Advair Diskus dosage contains a powder form combination of fluticasone and salmeterol to prevent flare-ups or worsening of COPD symptoms. It comes in a special inhaler device that contains measured doses of the medication. Fluticasone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Salmeterol is a bronchodilator that works by relaxing muscles in the airway to improve breathing.

One study published in the CHEST journal studied the effect of Advair Diskus on COPD patients over a 24-week period. In this study, researchers found that COPD patients who took 250/50 mcg Advair Diskus twice daily had a greater improvement in their lung function than those who took the placebo. [1]

In the U.S., an Advair Diskus dosage can cost over $300 for 60 doses of a 100mcg/50mcg powder inhaler. These prices are way too expensive for many asthma or COPD patients. Americans are responding to those staggeringly high drug prices by cutting costs in a number of creative ways. One of those is through the practice of purchasing prescription drugs from overseas and importing them into the U.S.

If you decide to cut costs by importing prescription drugs like Advair, it's important that you vet the pharmacy or pharmacy referral service you're purchasing from. To protect your safety, only do business with those that:

Require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. Don't sell more than a 90-day supply of any drug. Don't sell narcotics or controlled substances.

If you shop from a pharmacy referral service, check to see that they only work with licensed pharmacies and approved fulfillment centers. You can purchase generic and brand name Advair Diskus through an online Canadian pharmacy.

How to take Advair Diskus

Before taking your prescribed fluticasone/salmeterol dosage, read the label and medication guide or instruction sheet that was provided by your pharmacist. Use the medication exactly as directed. This medication should be used twice a day in the morning and evening. 

Rinse and gargle with water to help prevent infections in the mouth after using the inhaler. Never swallow the rinse water. If you have multiple inhalers, allow at least a minute between medications taking care to rinse in between. 

Make sure you take Advair Diskus or the fluticasone/salmeterol generic at the same time each day to create a routine for yourself and to ensure an even spread of medication in your system. Advair Diskus should be taken on a regular basis to have optimal results. Do not change or increase your dose. You should continue taking this medication even if you feel well. If you miss an Advair Diskus dosage, skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time. 

Advair Diskus side effects are:

• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Yeast infections of the mouth or throat (oral thrush)
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Sinus pain
• Cough
• Hoarseness or deepened voice
• Musculoskeletal pain

If any Advair Diskus side effects become unmanageable, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for help in managing the side effects. For any serious side effects, speak with your doctor right away for further treatment options.

Advair Diskus Cautions

This medication may contain medical and non-medical ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction. Consult with your doctor about any known allergies before taking Advair Diskus. Speak with your doctor about any known medical conditions relating to high blood pressure, bone loss, heart disease, overactive thyroid, diabetes, eye problems, seizures, and liver disease. Tell your doctor about any current medications or supplementation to avoid interactions with Advair Diskus.

Advair Diskus is not a rescue medicine; it does not work fast enough to treat asthma or bronchospasm attacks. Speak with your doctor to know which inhalers are best suited for a sudden attack.

Never attempt to take apart the Advair Diskus in order to clean it. Keep the device closed when not being used. 

While taking Advair Diskus, your body may not show signs of infection. Washing your hands and practicing good hygiene can help prevent the spread of infections or other diseases. Fluticasone can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

You may experience irregular heart rhythm (QT prolongation) while taking Advair Diskus. The risk of QT prolongation is increased with salt deficiencies, and the use of diuretics can also increase this risk.

If you want to start saving on your medications, you can purchase them through a Canadian online pharmacy like My Drug Center. At our site, you can find brand-name and generic Advair Diskus for your COPD and asthma treatment.

People who live in the U.S. pay significantly more for prescription medications than those who reside in many other countries. With the help of the internet, people are no longer limited to their local pharmacies. Now, shoppers can purchase safe prescription medications from online pharmacies, all without ever leaving home. If you have asthma or COPD and want to save money on Advair Diskus, it is important to know that pharmacies and referral services sell the same medications as traditional pharmacies for a much lower price.

How do online pharmacies and pharmacy referral services work? It's simple: the patient provides a valid prescription, the pharmacy fills the prescription and Advair Diskus is shipped directly to the patient. 

Advair Diskus Dosage

Once you are diagnosed with COPD or asthma, your doctor will determine which dosage of Advair Diskus is right for you. Advair Diskus is a long-term maintenance inhaler and if you have sudden breathing symptoms, reach for your emergency albuterol inhaler. Advair Diskus is a combination inhaler that contains both fluticasone and salmeterol. The first number in the dosage displays the amount of fluticasone, and the second represents the salmeterol. The most common dosage of brand name and generic Advair Diskus include:

• 100/50 mcg
• 250/50 mcg
• 500/50 mcg

Advair Diskus for Asthma

If you are 12 years or older, you may be prescribed 100/50 mcg or 250/50 mcg. You will take one inhalation of Advair Diskus twice a day, 12 hours apart. The maximum dosage for asthma patients is 500/50 mcg.

Advair Diskus will begin working in the body within 30 minutes of beginning treatment. If you do not notice much of a change in your condition, your doctor may increase your dose after two weeks.

Advair Diskus for COPD

COPD symptoms can be more severe than asthma symptoms, so you may start out on a higher dosage. You may start out on one inhalation of 250/50 mcg Advair Diskus twice a day, 12 hours apart.

What is Advair Diskus?

Advair Diskus is an inhaled prescription medication. Each Diskus contains a pre-fixed amount of fluticasone, a corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a long-acting beta-agonist. There are 3 available strengths for Advair Diskus:

• 100mcg/50mcg
• 250mcg/50mcg
• 500mcg/50mcg

What is Advair Diskus used for?

Advair Diskus is most commonly prescribed for patients with asthma for short-term use. However, Advair Diskus may also be prescribed to patients with other lung diseases for long-term use, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases associated with chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. Advair Diskus will help prevent asthma attacks and flare-ups of chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.

How should I use Advair Diskus? 

Advair Diskus is commonly taken two times per day; once in the morning and once in the evening. To load the medication, slide the lever away from you until it clicks; exhale deeply (away from the device) before dispersing and steadily inhaling the medication. Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds afterward to ensure the medication goes deep into your lungs. After taking your dose, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and spit. Do not swallow the water used to rinse your mouth.

How many doses are in Advair Diskus?

Each Advair Diskus inhaler contains 60 inhalations or puffs. The counter will read 0 once your Advair Diskus inhaler is empty. 60 inhalations should last COPD and asthma patients one month because you typically take two inhalations twice daily.

Why is Advair Diskus so expensive?

When Advair Diskus was approved, patents were granted to its manufacturer, granting it exclusivity to Advair Diskus. Drug patents prevent affordable generic alternatives, and these patents can create a lack of competition in the market. Luckily, you can purchase generic versions of Advair Diskus through a certified online pharmacy like My Drug Center.

How much does Advair Diskus cost?

If you purchase Advair Diskus from your local pharmacy without any insurance, you can expect to pay over $300 for a one-month supply. Americans may think that they can save a few dollars by using pharmacies like Costco, but you can save even more through online pharmacies like My Drug Center.

How should I dispose of Advair Diskus?

It is essential to dispose of your empty inhaler medications properly. If you are unsure how to dispose of Advair Diskus, ask your pharmacist. Many pharmacies accept empty inhaler cartridges, and they will dispose of them for you. [2]

How should I store Advair Diskus?

As with all medications, you should store Advair Diskus away from others. You do not want other people in your household to get a hold of your medications. Store Advair Diskus in a safe and temperature-controlled place where children and household pets do not have access.