Essay Sample That Provides an Overview of the Advair Diskus Drug and Its Uses

Advair Diskus drug is a prescription medicine specifically used for the treatment of asthma conditions in patients (Friedman et al., 2008). The property inhalation product is a blend of two components salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate. Salmeterol is a long a long-acting bronchodilator that belongs to the family of drugs referred to as long-acting beta agonists. The component helps in opening the respiratory airways in the lungs to enhance the ease of breathing. On the other hand, fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid anti-inflammatory that is administered through mouth (inhalation) to reduce the irritation and swelling of the respiratory airways (Nelson, 2001).

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The combination of these two components (Advair Diskus) create a product that is primarily used in regulating and inhibiting systems and manifestations triggered by asthma such as wheezing and shortening of breadth, as well as ongoing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Gao & Pleasants, 2015). Regulating symptoms of breathing difficulties can help individuals suffering from asthma to reduce the amount of time lost from work or school. To increase the efficacy of this product, it is recommended that patients need to take it regularly (Nusse et al., 2003). Besides that, this medication does not work instantly, as consequent, it should not be utilized as a substitute for relieving sudden shortness of breath as well as asthma attacks (Friedman et al., 2008). Therefore, patients need to use appropriate quick-relief devices (inhaler) in the event of sudden breathing challenges happen.

Sides Effects of Using the Drug

It is imperative for patients to understand that their doctor prescribed this drug particularly based on the medical assessment of their individual health condition with the hope that that the medication will result in greater benefit than the risk of side effects. The most common side effects reported by patients taking Advair include that are specific to asthma problem include:

Headache, muscle pain, stomach upset and bone pain,

Nausea and vomiting,

Throat irritation, thrush (white) patches developing in the throat or mouth,

Sneezing, sore throat, stuffy nose, and other allergic reactions,

Infection of the upper respiratory tract, persistent cough,

Hoarseness or voice changes. (Busse et al., 2003; Gao & Pleasants, 2015).

Besides these asthma-specific side effects, research studies have documented other side effects of using this drug. For instance, taking the medication may raise an individuals blood pressure (Gao & Pleasants, 2015). With this in mind, it is advisable that patients to undertake regular blood pressure checkups and inform their healthcare providers in the event the results are high. Also, but less frequent, this drug has been reported to trigger severe worsening of asthma or breathing difficulties immediately upon use (Nelson, 2001). As recommended above, patients should use quick-relief inhaler and seek for immediate medical assistance in the case of such serious sudden attacks.

Similarly, the medication can lower adrenal function. This can take place when a patient stops taking an oral corticosteroid and commence taking a drug that contains an inhaled corticosteroid, such as Advair. As a consequent, adrenal inadequacy may be manifested in feeling tired, lack of energy, general weakness, nausea and vomiting, as well as reduced blood pressure (Friedman et al., 2008).

Lastly, investigations reveal that this medication has the potential to mask manifestations of infections. That is, it can either make an individual more likely to contract an infection or simply worsen an ongoing illness. In light of this observation, people are advised to rinse their mouth with clean and clean their hands thoroughly to inhibit irritation, infection in the mouth and throat, and the spread of infection other infections.

Desired Effects of Using the Drug

There are two desired effects that expected to be realized when an asthmatic patient takes Advair Diskus. These desired effects can be depicted in the action of the two components that make up the drug. First, fluticasone propionate, which is a type of a steroid, is primarily expected to inhibit the release of substances in the human body that trigger inflammation of the respiratory airways hence preventing inflammation (Gao & Pleasants, 2015). On the other hand, the desired effect of salmeterol, which is a bronchodilator as mentioned above, is to relax muscles in the respiratory airways by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle coupled with the prevention of the release of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity from mast cells (Nelson, 2001). The action of this component results into enhanced or improved breathing in asthmatic patients, and that is its desired effect.

Persons the Drug is most suitable for

Lastly, the question about whether or not an individual can take Advair Diskus is determined by three critical factors age, health condition and response to the drug. Therefore, the medicine is most suitable for asthmatic patients whom their healthcare providers have established that their condition is not effectively controlled with a long-term asthma control prescription, including an inhaled corticosteroid (Friedman et al., 2008). Additionally, it is imperative to note that Advair Diskus drug can only be prescribed for treatment of asthma condition and strictly in patients aged four years and above. In fact, the product is not approved for use by any person younger than four (4) years old.

References

Busse, W., Koenig, S. M., Oppenheimer, J., Sahn, S. A., Yancey, S. W., Reilly, D., & Dorinsky, P. M. (2003). Steroid-sparing effects of fluticasone propionate 100 mg and salmeterol 50 mg administered twice daily in a single product in patients previously controlled with fluticasone propionate 250 mg administered twice daily. Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 111(1), 57-65.

Friedman, H., Wilcox, T., Reardon, G., Crespi, S., & Yawn, B. P. (2008). A retrospective study of the use of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol combination as initial asthma controller therapy in a commercially insured population. Clinical therapeutics, 30(10), 1908-1917.

Gao, J., & Pleasants, R. A. (2015). Role of the fixed combination of fluticasone and salmeterol in adult Chinese patients with asthma and COPD. International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 10, 775.

Nelson, H. S. (2001). Advair: combination treatment with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol in the treatment of asthma. Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 107(2), 397-416.