If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your doctor might suggest Advair as a treatment option.

Advair is used to treat asthma in adults and children. It is also approved to treat COPD in adults.

Advair Diskus and Advair HFA are the two forms of the drug. You can take the drug by mouth.

The two active ingredients in Advair are fluticasone propionate and salmeterol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Advair is usually a long-term treatment. For more information about Advair, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Advair can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Some people may experience side effects during their Advair treatment. The side effects of Advair can be different depending on the condition it is used to treat.

Advair has been reported to have some side effects.

This list doesn’t contain all of Advair’s side effects. Talk with your doctor to learn more about the side effects caused by this drug.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Some people can experience mild side effects from Advair. Mild side effects have been reported with Advair.

These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, you should not stop using Advair.

Advair may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. For details, see the prescribing information for Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Advair, visit MedWatch.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Advair has some serious side effects. There have been serious side effects reported with Advair.

If you develop serious side effects while using Advair, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.
† To learn more, see the “Side effects in children” section below.

“Advair’s side effects are the same in both adults and children. Some side effects may be more common in children.”

In studies of Advair Diskus, the most commonly reported side effects in children were throat irritation, and infections of the ears, nose, and throat. In studies of Advair HFA, the side effects seen in children were similar to those seen in adults.

It’s important to note that inhaled corticosteroids may cause a slower growth rate in children. Fluticasone (one of the active ingredients in Advair) is a corticosteroid. For this reason, your child’s doctor will prescribe the lowest dose of Advair that can effectively manage their symptoms. During treatment, your child’s growth rate will likely be monitored by their doctor.

If you have questions about Advair, talk to your doctor.

Get answers to questions about Advair.

Could using Advair affect my teeth?

Yes, Advair may affect your teeth. But this isn’t a common side effect. In studies, some people reported dental pain with Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. There were also a few reports of cavities with Advair HFA use.

“Regular dental exams are necessary if you have concerns about Advair’s effects on your teeth. If you have a higher risk of dental-related side effects, you should let your dentist know about it. They may suggest some tips to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.”

Does Advair cause anxiety?

It’s not likely. Anxiety wasn’t a side effect seen during studies of Advair Diskus or Advair HFA. There have been reports of this side effect in people using Advair HFA since it became available for use. But it’s unclear how often this happened or if Advair was the cause.

“salmeterol in Advair could make some people feel nervous or even make them race to the bathroom. If you are having side effects that don’t go away, please let your doctor know.”

If you have concerns about using Advair, talk to your doctor.

Are there any long-term side effects of Advair?

Yes, long-term side effects are possible with Advair because it contains a corticosteroid. (Fluticasone, one of the active drugs in Advair, is a corticosteroid.) Use of corticosteroids can cause lasting and serious side effects in some people. For example, long-term use or very high doses of corticosteroids may:

  • Slow the growth of children.
  • contribute to the development of glaucoma and cataracts
  • decrease bone mineral density, which can cause weak bones and a higher risk of fractures and osteoporosis
  • The function of the adrenal glands can be decreased.

If you have concerns about long-term side effects, talk to your doctor.

Will I experience withdrawal symptoms if I stop using Advair?

Advair is not known to cause withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.) In studies, withdrawal symptoms were not reported in people using Advair.

If you are concerned about having side effects after Advair treatment, talk to your doctor.

There are some side effects Advair may cause.

Weight gain

Advair may cause weight gain in some people. This side effect was reported in studies of Advair HFA, but it wasn’t a common side effect. There were no reports of weight gain in studies of Advair Diskus. But after Advair Diskus became available for use, some people reported weight gain with this drug.

What might help

If you have concerns about weight gain, talk to your doctor. They can discuss how to lose weight during your treatment.

Throat irritation

Throat irritation is possible with Advair use. In studies, this was a common side effect of both Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Symptoms may include a sore throat that’s scratchy and painful.

What might help

You can gargling with water after taking Advair to reduce throat irritation.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have throat irritation from Advair. They can help you make sure you use the inhaler correctly and suggest ways to ease your symptoms.

Increased risk of serious infection

Advair can raise the risk of serious infection during treatment. Advair contains the corticosteroid fluticasone, which may decrease your immune system’s ability to protect against new or existing infections. Examples of these infections include chickenpox and measles.

Advair can also worsen existing infections such as tuberculosis or other viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. Serious infections can even be fatal in some cases. Tell your doctor about any existing infections you may have before starting Advair treatment. They may treat your infection before you start using the drug.

Symptoms of an infection may include:

What might help

Before starting your Advair treatment, talk with your doctor to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Vaccines help prevent deadly diseases and can reduce your risk of developing a serious illness during your treatment.

Advair can help prevent you from getting sick. If you can wash your hands regularly, you will be less likely to come into contact with people who are sick.

If you develop an illness while using Advair, you should tell your doctor.

Headache

Using Advair may cause There is a throbbing head. in some people. In studies, this was a common side effect of both forms of Advair.

What might help

If you have There is a throbbing head.s while using Advair, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to ease your symptoms. For example, they might suggest that you drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and eat meals on a consistent schedule.

Certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help ease There is a throbbing head. symptoms. Some examples include acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin. But some OTC drugs may interact with your other medications or conditions. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend an OTC pain reliever that’s safe for you to take.

Allergic reaction

Advair can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.
  • bronchospasm (tightening of the muscles that line the airways)

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms you have an allergic reaction to Advair, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Advair, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

If you have an allergy to milk, tell your doctor. Advair Diskus has a substance that contains a substance that is known to be a substance that is known to be a substance that is known to be a substance that is known to be a substance that is known to be a substance that is known to be a substance that is known to be There have been reports of people with a severe milk allergy using Advair Diskus.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your Advair treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor can help them understand how Advair affects you. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

If you have certain medical conditions, Advair may not be right for you. These are drug-condition interactions. Other factors may affect whether Advair is a good option for you.

Before starting Advair, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Worsening asthma or COPD. If you have worsening symptoms of asthma or COPD, you may have a higher risk of serious lung problems or even death from using Advair. Due to this risk, your doctor likely will not prescribe Advair if you have worsening symptoms of asthma or COPD. Talk with your doctor to see if Advair is right for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Advair or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Advair. Ask them what other medications are better options for you. Bronchospasm can occur with Advair use. If you experience this type of reaction, follow your doctor’s recommendation for using your short-acting bronchodilator medication. Tell your doctor right away if you experience bronchospasm.

Severe allergic reaction to milk proteins. Advair Diskus contains milk proteins, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Due to this risk, doctors usually will not prescribe Advair if you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to milk proteins before. Note: Advair HFA does not contain milk proteins.

Serious infections. Advair can decrease your immune system’s ability to fight infections. This could raise your risk of developing an infection during your Advair treatment. If you already have certain infections before starting treatment (such as tuberculosis), Advair could make them worse. In some cases, serious infections can be fatal. Due to this risk, doctors usually will not prescribe Advair if you have a serious infection.

If you have had an illness in the past, talk with your doctor before using Advair.

Adrenal gland problems. Advair can affect the adrenal glands in some people. This can happen if you are switching from steroids taken by mouth to using Advair. Or it can occur if you’re taking a very high dose of Advair. Your body’s production of certain hormones such as cortisol may be reduced in these cases.

If you have had a problem with the adrenals, talk to your doctor. If you switch from a steroid to Advair, your doctor can help you do it safely.

Other conditions that affect hormones. For some people with certain hormone disorders (such as thyroid problems), using Advair could make symptoms of their condition worse. If you have a condition that affects your hormones, talk with your doctor before using Advair.

Weakened bones. Long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids can weaken your bones. (Advair contains a corticosteroid). Weakened bones may lead to bone fractures and other bone problems. If you currently have any bone problems (or have had them in the past) talk with your doctor before using Advair. Your doctor may want to monitor you more closely during your treatment.

Seizure conditions. If you have a seizure disorder, using Advair could make your condition worse. Talk with your doctor about whether this drug is right for you.

Glaucoma and cataracts. Glaucoma and cataracts from long term use of inhaled corticosteroids have been reported. Advair contains a corticosteroid. If you have symptoms of eye problems during your Advair treatment, your doctor may refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Serious heart problems. If you have certain heart problems such as high blood pressure, palpitations, or abnormal heart rhythm, Advair could make them worse. If you have a heart condition, talk with your doctor about whether Advair is right for you.

Diabetes. If you have diabetes, using Advair could make your condition worse. If you have diabetes, talk with your doctor about whether Advair is right for you.

Churg-Strauss syndrome and conditions related to increased white blood cells. In rare cases, conditions related to high levels of eosinophils (a kind of white blood cell) have been reported when taking inhaled corticosteroids. (Advair contains a corticosteroid.)

If you have asthma, you may be at higher risk of developing Churg-Strauss syndrome. For some people, changing from long-term oral steroids to Advair could reveal their asthma condition. If you have a lung problem, or if you have a rash, or if you have nerve pain, talk to your doctor.

Alcohol and Advair

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Advair. But it’s important to note that long-term or excessive alcohol use can damage parts of your lungs. This type of damage can worsen your symptoms of asthma or COPD. It can also increase your risk of certain infections, such as Pneumonia..

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much you can drink if you have a condition.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Advair

It’s not known if it’s safe to use Advair while pregnant. But it’s important to note that asthma that’s not well managed can be harmful to a pregnant person or a fetus. For example, it could cause preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), low birth weight, and premature birth.

It is not known if Advair is safe to use while breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, you should talk with your doctor before using Advair.

If you have questions about Advair, you should talk to your doctor. This can help you feel more confident. Some questions you may want to ask your doctor are listed below.

  • Do I have a higher risk of side effects from Advair if I am older?
  • Is there more side effects in people using Advair for asthma or COPD?
  • Does the length of my treatment affect my risk?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.