[cindyrella]

I have been using Advair for a week now and I am thrilled that I have not had to turn to my inhailer since. I believe that I am allergic to unfortunatly. I developed a rash on my arms that continues to grow. I wanted to find out what else is out there to treat asthma like advair. I do not want to go back to using my inhailer 3-5 times a day. Any ideas?
Thanks

[alan1]

My friend has asthma and he tells me that his symptoms intensifies when he is at his workplace.
I wonder how can a workplace have any relation with the intensity of asthma. Anyone has any idea?????

[tina_b]

ya alan, your friend is right. Workplace can have an effect on asthma patients. I very recently came to know this interesting fact that asthma intensifies at workplace.
Chk this out www.drugdelivery.ca/forum/PrintPost-4967.aspx if you wanna proof.

[bkdaniels]

Hey cindyrella, how are you doing?

GlaxoSmithKline (the makers of Advair) recommends that you call your doctor immediately if you develop hives, rash, or swelling, or if you have an asthma attack that does not respond to your usual medication. Serevent (salmeterol), Foradil (formoterol), or other long-acting inhalers contain the same type of active ingredient, and will provide no extra benefit.

Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome (DHS) is sometimes also called Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS). This syndrome is a severe, unexpected reaction to a medicine(s), which affects several organ systems at the same time.

It most commonly causes the combination of a high fever, a skin rash and inflammation of one or more internal organs including the liver, kidneys, lungs and/or heart. It generally starts one to eight weeks after taking the responsible medicine.

The rash can last many weeks and may progresses to erythroderma or exfoliative dermatitis, where all the skin peels off. The severity of the rash does not necessarily correlate with the extent of internal organ involvement, however.

Treatment consists of immediate withdrawal of all suspect medicines, followed by supportive care of symptoms. It is very important for patients presenting with a high fever and a rash, where a diagnosis of Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome is considered, to have blood tests as soon as possible.

Systemic steroids (e.g. prednisone) are generally used in the more severe cases of Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome involving significant exfoliative dermatitis, pneumonitis and/or hepatitis. However, the benefits of corticosteroids are unknown as controlled clinical trials are lacking.

Best wishes,

bkdaniels

"Confusion Results From Failure To Plan" B. K. Daniels, PBT