Advair Diskus for Asthma, Maintenance User Reviews

• Wen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 1, 2019

"I have used this medication for about 20 years give or take a year or so. It works, I guess, though I am finding out more and more it is contraindicated with many meds I take. The price is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! Most especially for seniors on Medicare Part D where, when in the donut hole, or at the beginning of the year, they are expected to pay WAY over $300. WHO has that kind of money at the beginning of the year when they are 70, disabled, and on Social Security (unless they have a very high income)? This diskus with meds and equipment amounts to a plastic disk and 60 little packets of powder that can't be more than an eighth of a teaspoon of medication, probably costs GSK a whopping 10 cents! RIDICULOUS and just WRONG!"

• Lau...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2014

"Sometimes my Diskus goes to '0' and I don't see it because I take it in the early morning and at bedtime. I DO notice the difference in my breathing. Anytime I start to feel a 'heaviness' I suspect that I have run out, and I check the number on the Diskus - this is always the reason. I keep my reading glasses by my bed from now on, so I have not made that error since I figured this out. Advair has been a lifesaver for me. I think I have been on it for close to 20 years, not sure. I am putting this here for others who don't have their asthma under control. I have had nothing but good experiences with this medicine."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2021

"It definitely helped me breathe better, but puts me at risk for thrush. Once in a while, I get thrush in the throat, which is annoying, and I have to stop using Advair for a few days, and I struggle to breathe again about two days later. Clears up pretty quick. It’s a good idea to eat yogurt after rinsing your mouth, so now I eat yogurt all the time."

• Mus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2018

"I have moderate persistent asthma and severe allergies. I was taking a different medication and had several all-night asthma attacks, daily episodes, and pleurisy for months. My doctor switched me to Advair 250/50 three days ago, and the difference is night and day. Today is the first day in three months that I haven’t had any symptoms. I feel like a new person. Advair is the best asthma medication I’ve tried, and today, I’m enjoying breathing deeply!"

• lac...
• November 18, 2009

"My daughter went on Advair when she was 10 to control exercise-induced and seasonal allergy-induced asthma. She developed severe stomach aches (daily) and became lactose intolerant after several months. After allergy season, she was taken off the Advair. She went to a gastroenterologist for almost a year to clear up the stomach aches. She did not use Advair during that time. When the stomach problem was cleared up, the lactose intolerance disappeared as well. The next allergy season, she was put on Advair and almost immediately developed stomach aches and lactose intolerance. She stopped using the Advair, and the stomach issues and lactose intolerance disappeared. The doctors find no correlation."

• Ern...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 11, 2019

"I have been on Advair 500 for many years, and my asthma has been under control. Before taking this, I had attacks all day long. Now they have made a generic that I have been on for almost 3 months. My attacks are coming back. And insurance will no longer cover Advair. It’s very frustrating. I also have coronary artery spasms, which are due entirely to the severe asthma. So now, not only am I having to use the nebulizer more, but I’m also having to take nitro more for my heart."

• Sno...
• January 29, 2013

"I suffered from severe asthma from childhood till I was 50. Several attacks required hospitalization, and I was on every medicine known to treat asthma over this time period, including extended periods of prednisolone, rescue inhalers, plus theophylline, Alupent, etc. I started taking Advair in 2002, and since that time have had no attacks whatsoever. For the first 3 years, I still carried my Albuterol inhaler but finally had the confidence to stop carrying them. A momentous day indeed and not without some trepidation. I have suffered no side effects at all, and this medicine has been a life changer and potentially a life saver for me. I hope it can do the same for you. I never believed I would be rid of asthma, but I am."

• Bab...
• May 28, 2013

"I have been fighting my doctors about Advair for about 4 years. About 1 year ago, I got sick and I was using my Advair, and I chose to stay on it every day. I was doing well, then I stopped because I wanted to see if there was any difference, and oh my God, I realized I need Advair every day. Moral of the story: I take Advair every day now and I'm doing so much better."

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2010

"If Advair is causing side effects in your mouth and throat, try rinsing and gargling with salt water immediately after using Advair. This simple process has made Advair tolerable. And like my doctor says, 'You must breathe.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2012

"I was on Advair for about five years and was able to breathe easily almost immediately after starting it. Before Advair, I used albuterol 6-10 times daily. I used to take the 500/50 Advair only once per day. Using it twice a day didn't make a difference in breathing, so that saved some money. I never had a thrush problem; actually, I never rinsed out my mouth at all. The reason I'm not using it any longer is the HUGE cost. My insurance is no longer covering it, and I cannot afford over $300 for just one Diskus. Am now taking Singulair and am back using the albuterol rescue inhaler 6-7 times a day."

• Thu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2015

"Was prescribed Advair two weeks ago and haven't used Albuterol inhaler since. I notice easier breathing immediately and had absolutely no side effects. I don't even taste it but always rinse anyway. Before using Advair, I was using the inhaler about 10 times a day and still was out of breath when I tied my boots. After two days on Advair, I was able to attend a Packers game and walked about a mile to the stadium and another 60 flights of stairs to get to our seats. I would have been dead the week before. I'm hoping I can continue using this medication without getting any side effects. I have my life back and want to keep it that way."

• Mer...
• December 25, 2014

"Age 59, male. After having allergy asthma probably for decades, a wet spring after an ugly winter, and removing moldy insulation, ended me up at the doctors. Started on 100/50. It helped but not enough. Ended up getting 250/50 and have been on since (4 years). It didn't stop the fairly constant post-nasal drip, which was almost constant at night. Got Singulair for that and have taken it ever since (4 years). I'm fine and dandy ever since and can do heavy workouts, etc. Problems: leg cramps, foot cramps, hand cramps. I've always had a few, but they can get ugly. I find drinking water, taking daily multivitamins, and magnesium keeps them at bay. Dry, sensitive mouth = no more medium or hot salsa, etc. Watch your teeth."

• lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

"I'm a 48 years old - never had asthma. Multiple respiratory infections left me wheezing daily. Doc prescribed Albuterol plus Advair. I was scared to start meds and didn't for a few weeks. Wheezing got bad enough I went back to doc, talked about concerns, and they explained the importance of use. I started it in the office 3 weeks ago - I feel so much better now. I didn't realize how bad my breathing was. I haven't needed the Albuterol since. (knocking on wood!) Side effects for me = nervousness for ~ hour after use; intermittent mild throat irritation; increased # of heart palpitations (have had for years). I wish I would have started it sooner."

• SKB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2013

"Prescribed Advair Diskus (250/50) twice a day. My blood pressure was 130/80 when I started the medicine, which is about the highest it has ever been. I was not supposed to go back to the doctor for 30 days. But luckily, last night I had my blood pressure checked, it was 151/98-I was shocked! I have only been on the medicine 15 days. Advair probably helped me through my upper respiratory problems, but I think I should have been warned about this side effect."

• Sag...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 5, 2016

"Asthma since 26, year-round allergies, Advair and montelukast for years. Feel I'm alive in my 70s because of some smart, caring doctors. Biggest problems-no generic and super expensive now that prices have been raised. Donut hole every year! Used to be more reasonable. Not advised to change since Advair and montelukast work. But can't afford to use 2 times a day as doctor recommends. I think it is Mylan also that raised prices out of seniors' reach. Please help bring the price down again. Thanks. Insurance covers part reasonably than too high in the donut hole."

• VLN...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 5, 2015

"I had been on Advair for ten years and enjoyed not having asthma attacks, being able to exercise without using a rescue inhaler all of the time. Unfortunately, due to the cost of Advair, my insurance has dropped it from the list of medications they will cover, and I have been switched to another brand. The new one does not work as well."

• eri...
• July 8, 2014

"I was prescribed this inhaler for my asthma, and I found it did a good job of bringing my breathing back to normal. However, I also experienced numerous side effects from the medicine, such as very painful leg cramps/spasms that kept me from sleep and, at times, work/school and recurrent bacterial sinus infections (i.e., facial/ear pain, ringing in ears, headache), which I had never had prior to using Advair. I also had a sore throat at times while on this medication, which to me is very minor, and I would have continued use if this was the only side effect. Although it was not a good fit for me, I would recommend this medicine to others who are struggling to control their asthma."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 17, 2019

"I have suffered with asthma my entire life, so I am familiar with many drugs used to treat this disease. Advair was prescribed to me 30 years ago, and I have loved it from the beginning. I no longer had to suffer with the jitters and hyper behavior, like all of my prior medications. I take this daily, as prescribed, and have no complaints or awful side effects. Sometimes my breath smells bad as a result, but I can breathe, so I can't really complain. Thank you-now if only I could get my insurance provider to cover it."

• Mrs...
• April 8, 2013

"Been on 250/50 Advair for just over a year. It does great at preventing asthma attacks. I still have congestion and coughing. Despite rinsing my mouth and brushing my teeth after the use of Advair, my voice has become quite hoarse within the last 2 weeks. I'm thinking of switching back to Symbicort. I took Asmanex before taking Symbicort, but it wasn't sufficient to control my asthma."

• Ell...
• March 3, 2010

"I have been using Advair for about 5 years. When I first noticed my wheezing and coughing, I thought I had a cold, but the doctor said it is bronchial asthma. He started with Prednisone and Advair. I soon felt better. I stopped the Prednisone, and I am on Advair 250/50 since. Recently, I was advised to see a chiropractor. He promised to help take me off all medications and I would be okay. What a mistake? In order for him to do this, I had to stop my Advair, because he said he can't fight with it, I must first stop taking it. The end result was that I spent about $400.00 for twice-a-week visits. I saw no results, on the contrary, my wheezing came back full force, with the tightness of my chest. I had to start all over again with the medications."

• Ner...
• April 30, 2016

"I had told my Dr. how, when I walk up my stairs in my house, how I'm out of breath and how my chest had been feeling tight over the last few months. I just use my nebulizer or my Ventolin pump, and it helps me feel better. But then she suggested Advair Diskus, and within the 2nd day, I felt the tightness in my chest like I was having an asthma attack, and then my throat started to feel swollen, so I stopped the medicine. Since using this medication, my throat is sore, swollen glands, hurts when I swallow. I'm very nervous and will not use it anymore."

• MLU...
• December 5, 2016

"Was using Pulmicort for years for asthma maintenance; I found it made a difference but would stop working for periods of time. I asked my physician to switch me to something else, and she put me on this. A marked difference. This has a steroid as well as a stimulant (to open your lungs upon inhalation, much like a rescue inhaler, which Pulmicort did not have). I forgot to refill my Advair this month (I mail order three months at a time with my insurance, WAY cheaper) and have been without for about four days. I can definitely tell the difference. My rescue inhaler use has gone up and subsequently goes way down (to almost nonexistent) when I'm on Advair. Highly recommended."

• Lif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 14, 2020

"I’ve been using Advair for 5 years. Works great for asthma. First time asthma felt controlled, but side effects of a tight throat and change in voice are concerning. Now I had to stop this medicine, as throat issues have become worse. The occasional sore throat is now at least once a week, and my throat feels like it’s working so hard, like the muscles in the neck are actually sore from the tightness. Not really sure what is happening and not sure what to do with an asthma prevention alternative now. Also had a major asthma attack and took about a month to recover, so if your throat starts feeling funny and your voice box and larynx feel sore, beware and talk to your doctor. It just came on so fast."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 9, 2016

"I've been using Advair 250/50 for about 7 years. I developed asthma after several respiratory infections. After months of having no energy and wheezing and coughing, the doctor finally confirmed asthma. I started on 4 puffs per day for a week, and then went down to 2 per day. In the summer, I can often get away with only 1 puff per day. In the winter, I usually need 2. The main symptom I get if my asthma is not fully controlled is a gurgling sensation in my lungs. With Advair, my asthma symptoms have mostly disappeared. It's a really effective medication."

• Ton...
• January 8, 2012

"I don't know about others, but this is a godsend to me. I have very, very bad asthma. Walking up a few stairs can wind me, as can walks (which I love doing), and exercising is extremely difficult. The pains from asthma problems can hurt quite a bit. I got on Advair, and my dependency on my albuterol inhaler dropped from 2-3 times a day to maybe once a week. I was off of it for years because of insurance companies dropping it, and then not having insurance. I'm back on it now (after Primatene Mist went off the market), and I'm doing great again. It hasn't kicked in to effect fully, but I can already feel its effects. The side effects can be bad for some people, but I'm a testament to how awesome it is."