Advair vs Flovent: Which Asthma Treatment is Right for You?

Author Scott

Posted on July 11, 2024

Scott is passionate about health and wellness, and enjoys writing on various topic surrounding these fields. Scott lives in Seattle and spends his free time restoring old furniture and playing pickleball with his friends.

Asthma is an incredibly widespread respiratory condition, affecting over 3.8 million Canadians. For many of these individuals, finding the right treatment is key to managing symptoms. Two of the commonly prescribed medications are Advair and Flovent.

And while both can be taken with or without an inhaler, they are far from the same thing. This makes it all the more essential to understand their differences. In this post, we’ll compare Advair vs Flovent to understand why your doctor might prescribe one over the other.

Advair vs Flovent: An Overview

Advair is a prescription medication used to prevent asthma attacks and manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s a combination of two medicines: fluticasone and salmeterol.

Fluticasone is a type of steroid that works by reducing inflammation in the body. It prevents the release of substances that cause swelling and irritation in the airways. On the other hand, salmeterol is a bronchodilator. It relaxes the muscles in the airways, making it easier for air to flow in and out of the lungs.

Advair comes in two forms: Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. The Diskus version is for adults and children aged 4 years and older, while the HFA version is for those 12 years and older. Note that Advair is not a rescue medication for sudden asthma attacks. Instead, it’s used regularly to keep asthma and COPD symptoms under control.

Flovent, on the other hand, is a prescription corticosteroid medication. It’s been a widely trusted option for treating asthma symptoms since it hit the market. The drug is specially designed for the long-term management of asthma symptoms in patients 4+ years.

As an inhaled corticosteroid, Flovent works by reducing inflammation. This action helps prevent asthma attacks, thus maintaining better respiratory action over time. Flovent is available in the form of Flovent HFA, delivering medication directly to the lungs for targeted action and minimal systemic effects.

Advair vs Flovent: Discover the Benefits of Each

Both Advair and Flovent offer a wide range of benefits for asthmatic patients. Here’s a closer look at the advantages of each medication.

Advair Benefits

One of the key benefits of Advair is that it’s quite effective in controlling asthma symptoms. It increases the amount of air exhaled in one second, resulting in improved breathing. This also reduces the risk of asthma attacks over time.

Advair also combines two active ingredients, which work together to address both the inflammatory and bronchoconstrictor components of asthma. This dual action provides more comprehensive symptom relief.

Furthermore, Advair offers two methods of administration, Advair Diskus and HFA. This provides convenience and flexibility for patients. Diskus is a dry powder inhaler, while HFA is an aerosol inhaler.

Flovent Benefits

As an inhaled corticosteroid, Flovent delivers medication directly to the lungs. It provides targeted action, reducing the potential for side effects in other parts of the body.

Flovent’s primary mechanism of action is reducing inflammation in the airways.

Side Effects of Advair vs Flovent

A key factor to consider when doing an asthma treatment comparison is the side effects. Both Advair and Flovent can cause mild side effects, but there are a few differences to note.

Advair, being a combination medication, may have a broader range of side effects due to its two active ingredients. Common Advair side effects include throat irritation, hoarseness, headache, and oral thrush. Some users may experience a rapid heartbeat or tremors due to the long-acting beta-agonist component.

Flovent generally has fewer side effects. Users might experience throat irritation, hoarseness, and oral thrush. However, it’s less likely to cause systemic effects like rapid heartbeat or tremors.

Both medications can suppress the immune system slightly, increasing the risk of infections. In addition, long-term use of either drug can affect bone density, especially in older adults. More serious side effects such as adrenal suppression and allergic reactions are rare.

Remember that the likelihood of experiencing side effects can vary depending on various factors. This includes dosage, frequency of use, and individual health factors. Always consult your healthcare partner when choosing between the two.

Dosage and Administration of Advair vs Flovent

When it comes to asthma treatment, finding the right dosage and adhering to proper administration techniques are crucial for managing symptoms effectively. Here’s a comprehensive look at the Advair and Flovent dosage guidelines:

Advair Dosage Guidelines

The recommended dose for anyone aged 12 years and above is 1 inhalation twice a day for Advair Diskus. The doses should be 12 hours apart, with the maximum dosage being 500/50 twice daily.

Advair Diskus is also approved for children with asthma aged 4 to 11 years. The dosage for this age group is typically 1 inhalation of Advair Diskus 100/50 twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart.

Advair HFA is prescribed for patients aged 12 years and older, with a dosage of 2 oral inhalations twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart. The maximum recommended dosage is 2 inhalations of Advair HFA 230 mcg/21 mcg twice daily.

Flovent Dosage Recommendations

Flovent HFA is typically prescribed for adults and children aged 4 years and older. The specific dosage will depend on the patient’s previous asthma therapy in Canada and the severity of their symptoms. The recommended starting dosage ranges from 88 mcg to 880 mcg twice daily.

Your healthcare provider may recommend upping the dosage if you don’t respond adequately within two weeks of therapy.

Proper Inhaler Technique

To use Advair Diskus, breathe out fully, then seal your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe deeply but slowly. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly. For Advair HFA, shake the inhaler, breathe out fully, and press the canister to release the medication while inhaling slowly and deeply.

When using Flovent HFA, patients should first breathe out slowly and fully. Once done, seal your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in slowly and deeply while pressing the canister. Hold their breath for about 10 seconds and breathe out slowly.

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It’s clear from the above Advair vs Flovent comparison that both drugs offer unique benefits for managing asthma. While Advair offers a dual-action approach, Flovent is more targeted at reducing inflammation. Ultimately, the best decision comes from a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider.

Regardless of your choice, Price Pro Pharmacy ensures that asthma symptoms don’t disrupt your day. As a trusted Canadian online pharmacy, we offer competitive rates for asthma medications, among others.

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Works Cited

https://asthma.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2021-Annual-Report-Final.pdf

https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/when-asthma-more-than-asthma-type-inflammation/