Fluticasone / salmeterol and Headaches: What Users Say

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2020

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "Please don't use this drug, Wixela Inhub. I started using Wixel 2 months ago. I'm always afraid of new medicine, so I started taking it at 2 puffs a day for my asthma. I developed a sore throat, headaches, a hoarse voice, then heart racing. I have a neurological illness as well, so I thought it was the problem. 3 weeks ago, I had a possible TIA (mini-stroke). I'm only 55. I lost sight totally in my left eye for hours, with increased weakness and a headache. Today, I thought to look into this inhaler for side effects. Then I checked the reviews here. I won't ever use this again. I need to live to care for my daughter. This medication shouldn't be on the market."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2020

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "Please don't use this drug, Wixela Inhub. I started using Wixel 2 months ago. I'm always afraid of new medicine, so I started taking it at 2 puffs a day for my asthma. I developed a sore throat, headaches, a hoarse voice, then heart racing. I have a neurological illness as well, so I thought it was the problem. 3 weeks ago, I had a possible TIA (mini-stroke). I'm only 55. I lost sight totally in my left eye for hours, with increased weakness and a headache. Today, I thought to look into this inhaler for side effects. Then I checked the reviews here. I won't ever use this again. I need to live to care for my daughter. This medication shouldn't be on the market."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2021

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "This medication is bad. It should be taken off the market. I got so sick on this. I got a very bad headache, racing heartbeat, and thrush, it made me nervous. I just felt really bad. The medication does not come out right - you either get too much medication or none at all. It does not get into the lungs, it just stays in the back of the throat, and that is how I got the thrush. My doctor now has it so the prescription is dispensed as written, so the pharmacist will now fill it with the Advair, thank goodness. Like I said, Wixela Inhub should be taken off the market as it is dangerous. If I could, I would give it a 0 rating."

• KAE...
• September 9, 2020

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "I’ve been using Advair for years. It managed my asthma perfectly, and there was never a problem. I was given Wixela by my pharmacy the month it came out (they didn’t even tell me it had switched). Now I notice my throat hurts all the time, and I’ve got headaches. It still manages my asthma, but I’m not a lab rat, and I shouldn’t have these side effects. I’m going to see if I can go back to Advair."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2022

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "Female and a vet. Express Scripts (ES) substituted Wixela for Advair without notice. Gave it a go, and it gave me asthma! Had been using Advair for decades without issues and rarely had to use my ProAir inhaler. Wixela side effects: tightened chest, labored breathing, coughing, therefore, could not walk short distances, sore throat, headache, plus hives! Notified my doctor and quit taking Wixela. Side effects subsided, hives disappeared, yet I had to use my rescue inhaler several times a day. Doctor submitted a prior authorization (PA) and new script for Advair, as prescribed, no substitute or generic to ES. PA was denied without any rationale. Was told by ES that only the doctor could appeal. Submitted a letter to my State Senators through the American Medical Association - Improving Seniors' Access to a Timely Care Act (S.3018), explaining this all. Also submitted a grievance to Medwatch - FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Others should do the same."

• eri...
• July 8, 2014

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "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."

• Liv...
• February 11, 2016

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "I have been on Advair for over 10 years. I have never breathed better. Before, I couldn't even walk without being out of breath. I do experience a lot of side effects, such as oral thrush and headaches; however, being able to breathe outweighs the side effects. I would recommend this medication to anyone with asthma."

• dan...
• September 9, 2009

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "I have used Advair 500/50 for a little over three years. It has helped control the asthma, but there are some side effects. I don't have much taste sensation anymore, my throat feels raw, and I cough from the throat, which I don't remember doing before, and I lose my voice. This dosage is too much after a while, I get the shakes and feel weak, sometimes have terrible headaches. I have tried using 500/50 in the mornings and 250/50 at night. That is only good for a short while. I need something between these two."

• dsg...
• March 16, 2011

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "I am giving it a 9 only because I have only been on it a few days. It works. I used to get so tired just doing my grocery shopping and have to sit 2 or 3 times during, and feel like I can go for miles now. I do notice in the reviews the different ways people are using it. I was told after inhaling to rinse my mouth thoroughly, as the medicine can cause thrush. Anyway, I have a little chest tightness and get a bit of a headache at first, but that goes away after about 30 minutes."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2022

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "I was on Advair, they switched me to Wixela 500 mg. I had many side effects and could not breathe. I could not stop coughing—bad headaches and nightmares. I ended up in the hospital six times, and finally, they told me to stop taking it and switch back. I ended up in bed for months with chest pain and weakness in the legs. I could not eat or swallow anything. My vision went many times. I had a rainbow lightning vision. This should not be given to anyone. It should be off the market right away. It is not right to switch a person's medication at the risk of someone's life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "My asthma was well controlled when I was using ADVAIR, now my health insurance company will only pay for the generic equivalent, WIXELA, and it is not working for me. I get raised blood pressure, headaches, congestion, tightness, and need to use my immediate action inhaler more often. I see comments where I'm not alone on this. There should be a law against insurance companies dictating to doctors what meds will and will not be used for patient care, they are not doctors!"

• 1SG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2022

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "I am covered by VA at 90% disability. I've been using Symbicort for 2 years with no or little side effects or conflicts with other medications. Then - surprise! - the VA changes me over to Wixela Inhub. It is gritty and takes more than one mouth rinse to get it out of your mouth. Within 2 weeks, my BP is up to 190/95 average, headaches, diarrhea, and problems with my eyesight getting blurry. I went online and learned that Wixela should not be used by folks with hypertension, cardiovascular issues, and thyroid problems. I have all three, having had a heart attack two years ago, and my meds were keeping me stable until I started the Wixela. My COPD is worse than ever, and my rescue inhaler has been resurrected and in my pocket, along with my nitro. I've contacted my PCP at the VA, and he was unaware of the change by the 'bean counters' at VA Pharmacy Services. Symbicort is still being produced. It is readily apparent that the VA is out to save money at the expense of patients."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2022

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "I cannot tolerate Wixela. I have used Advair for years with no problems. Wixela caused pounding headaches. Insurance copay went from $15 to $144 a month."

• ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2022

Fluticasone / salmeterol for Asthma, Maintenance "Caused me to have severe headaches and dizziness to the point of not being able to walk."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "As soon as I used fluticasone with salmeterol the 1st time, it helped me breathe straight away with no side effects, just a bit of a headache."