Breathe Easier with a Fluticasone and Salmeterol Inhaler

The fluticasone and salmeterol inhaler may be suitable for managing conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly if other treatments haven’t fully controlled your symptoms. It is often recommended for individuals who experience frequent flare-ups or persistent breathing difficulties despite using other inhalers.

Your provider will also discuss the potential benefits, risks, and side effects to ensure a fluticasone and salmeterol inhaler aligns with your treatment goals. If prescribed, they will monitor your response and adjust the dosage as needed to ensure the medication is both effective and well-tolerated. Always consult your provider and follow their guidance to decide if the fluticasone and salmeterol inhaler is the best option for your needs.

The fluticasone and salmeterol inhaler is a maintenance inhaler designed for long-term control of asthma and COPD, while other inhalers may serve different purposes.

Rescue inhalers, like albuterol, provide quick relief during sudden breathing difficulties but don’t offer long-term symptom control. Some inhalers contain only a corticosteroid (like fluticasone alone) to reduce inflammation, while others include different types of bronchodilators for varying levels of airway relaxation.

Your healthcare provider can help determine which inhaler best fits your condition and symptoms.

The best time to use the fluticasone and salmeterol inhaler depends on your healthcare provider’s instructions, but it is typically taken twice a day, about 12 hours apart, to maintain consistent symptom control. Since it is a maintenance inhaler, it should be used regularly at the same times each day, rather than as needed for sudden breathing issues. If you’re unsure about the best schedule for you, talk to your provider for personalized guidance.

The fluticasone and salmeterol inhaler starts working within a few hours, but it may take a week or more to feel noticeable improvements in breathing. Since it’s a maintenance inhaler, its full effects build over time with consistent use. It’s important to keep using it as prescribed, even if you don’t see immediate results. If symptoms don’t improve after a few weeks, talk to your healthcare provider.

A fluticasone and salmeterol inhaler is not designed to stop an asthma attack. This inhaler combines a corticosteroid (fluticasone) to reduce inflammation and a long-acting beta agonist (salmeterol) to help open the airways over time. It is typically used for long-term control and prevention of asthma symptoms, not for immediate relief during an acute asthma attack.

For an asthma attack, a fast-acting inhaler, usually containing a short-acting beta agonist like albuterol, is recommended to quickly open the airways and relieve symptoms. Always consult with your healthcare provider about the appropriate medication for managing asthma.

The most common side effects of fluticasone and salmeterol inhalers can include:

• Throat irritation or hoarseness
• Coughing
• Headache
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Nausea
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Thrush (oral candidiasis)
• Increased heart rate or palpitations

Be sure to contact your LifeMD-affiliated healthcare provider if your side effects do not resolve or if you experience more severe side effects.

LifeMD offers patients access to licensed healthcare providers who can offer guidance on healthcare concerns. Through our virtual platform, you can schedule same-day appointments and meet with a medical professional from the comfort of your home.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe you a medication if appropriate, and order it to your local pharmacy for your convenience. Skip the waiting room with LifeMD, make an appointment today to get started.