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Advair Diskus is an effective treatment for both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
As reported by DailyMed, an online database operated by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there have been many clinical studies of the efficacy of Advair Diskus for asthma, and six clinical studies of the efficacy of Advair Diskus for COPD. [1]
Advair Diskus for asthma
A placebo-controlled, 12-week study in the U.S. compared the efficacy of Advair Diskus 100/50mcg to that of its individual components, fluticasone 100mcg and salmeterol 50mcg. Each medication was administered twice per day to patients aged 12 and above.
Over the course of the study, only three percent of patients taking Advair Diskus withdrew due to worsening asthma. By comparison, 11 percent of patients taking fluticasone, 35 percent of patients taking salmeterol and 49 percent of patients taking a placebo withdrew. [2]
To measure each medication's ability to control asthma, the study tracked patients' FEV1, or the amount of air that patients can force from their lungs within one second. The higher a patient's FEV1, the better their asthma is being controlled.
Patients taking Advair Diskus showed a significantly higher FEV1 than those taking either fluticasone alone, salmeterol alone or a placebo.
Researchers also evaluated the study participants' perceptions of health with the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). The questionnaire uses a seven-point scale, with lower numbers indicating greater asthma-induced impairment and higher numbers indicating less asthma-induced impairment. [2]
The results showed that patients taking Advair Diskus generic had clinically meaningful improvements in asthma-specific quality of life.
The efficacy of Advair Diskus 250/50mcg and 500/50mcg for patients with COPD was studied in six randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trials in adults aged 40 and above. Advair Diskus was compared with either fluticasone alone, salmeterol alone or a placebo. Three trials measured the effect of Advair Diskus on lung function, two measured its effect on exacerbation and one measured its effect on survival. In terms of lung function, twice-daily Advair Diskus 250/50mcg resulted in much higher FEV1 than either twice-daily salmeterol 50mcg or a placebo. Twice-daily Advair Diskus 250/50mcg also significantly outperformed both twice-daily fluticasone 250mcg and a placebo. In terms of exacerbations, a three-year trial found that patients taking Advair Diskus 500/50 experienced a significantly lower rate of moderate to severe exacerbations than those taking either fluticasone, salmeterol or a placebo. [3] In terms of survival, a three-year multicenter, international trial examined the effect of Advair Diskus 500/50mcg on survival as compared to that of fluticasone 500mcg, salmeterol 50mcg or a placebo. The results showed that the survival rate of patients taking Advair Diskus was not significantly improved over that of any other medication. As with any new medication, it's important to talk to your doctor about whether Advair Diskus is right for you. Patients should not take Advair Diskus: Before using an Advair inhaler, also be sure to tell your doctor if you have: Also tell your doctor if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles, or if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant. If your doctor does determine that Advair Diskus is right for you, you can save money on Advair by purchasing your inhaler through a trustworthy online pharmacy or pharmacy referral service like My Drug Center. DISCLAIMER: The information in the article is not meant to be used for treatment or diagnosis. It is designed for general awareness and for information purposes only. Always consult a medical professional for your specific healthcare needs.
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