Fluticasone / salmeterol and Sore Throat: What Users Say

• wix...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was switched to Wixela from Symbicort within the VA. Does nothing for me except a sore throat. I engaged it to work and tapped it on a clean, flat surface, and the powder feels like a gritty, fine powder or sand. I think it ought to be removed from the market. Don't know how the VA was sold on this terrible product. Want my Symbicort back that works for my lungs."

• Coc...
• September 15, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "I am a 50-year-old female with no health issues other than occasional mild asthma from air quality and high pollen count issues. I’ve used Advair as a maintenance inhaler for years with no problems. I developed cough variant asthma right in the height of COVID. The pharmacy switched me to Wixela without even telling me, I didn’t know until I opened the bag. I used it for 2 months and developed the worst raw and sore throat of my life, heavy chest pressure, and rapid heartbeat (I could feel my heart pounding). I stopped using Wixela 4 weeks ago, and the sore throat and chest pressure have gone away, but my heartbeat is still rapid, I can feel it when I’m in bed falling asleep! Now my doctor has ordered a stress test, etc., to figure out what’s going on with my heart. Stay away from Wixela! This is a very dangerous drug!"

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

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

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."

• KAE...
• September 9, 2020

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."

• bla...
• November 29, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "I started taking Advair 50/500 about 2 years ago. I must say that I have noticed almost a complete turnaround with my breathing problems, which is wonderful. However, I am in the emergency room almost half of every month due to severe heartburn, gallbladder attacks, severe stomach, throat, and esophagus pain. It is all due to the Advair. I have been on all the breathing medicines, and Advair works the best. Just don't know if I can keep dealing with all these side effects."

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

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."

• AJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was on Breo for about 3 years and was breathing normally. I never had to use my albuterol inhaler. At the beginning of the year, the price of Breo skyrocketed for me, so I decided to try Wixela. It never worked. It started with a sore throat (I am very careful to rinse my mouth and spit out the water after each use). After a few days, the coughing started. I tolerated that only because it was a weekend and I couldn’t call my doctor. I am going back to Breo. I’m so angry that this drug was approved. My scenario was mild compared to what others are going through. Scary stuff."

• eri...
• July 8, 2014

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."

• Brk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "I’ve only been on this inhaler for a week, and I had to stop immediately. It makes me extremely jittery - I feel like I’ve consumed 1000 cokes and coffees. It also gave me muscle spasms in my fingers and made my voice extremely hoarse. That being said, I do feel like my breathing got better, but I cannot deal with the side effects at all. I’ve since switched to another inhaler. Hopefully, that will work out better for me."

• Ner...
• April 30, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "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."

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

For Asthma, Maintenance "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."

• Bar...
• September 2, 2017

For Asthma, Maintenance "This medication has helped my cough, made breathing easier, and decreased mucus tremendously, however, I did have side effects: blurred vision, confusion, numbness in legs, dizziness, nausea, and sore throat."

• Sou...
• December 16, 2017

For COPD, Maintenance "I've been on Advair Diskus 250/50 for almost one month since being out of the hospital where I coded from COPD. Needless to say, I have quit smoking after 30 years (cold turkey). I can actually breathe & no more wheezing. Only drawback is financially, it costs $530, and I now have thick mucus in the back of my throat that I remember having when I once had pneumonia. My throat stays sore, and I am so afraid of coming down with pneumonia. Because of this, I am going to try using Advair once a day instead of twice a day. I also have nasal drip all night as well."

• dan...
• September 9, 2009

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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2012

For Asthma, Maintenance "Has helped control my asthma, recently started 500/50 since I had another flare-up. I don't need a rescue inhaler near as often. Do get thrush occasionally and a little sore throat. But it does keep my asthma attacks down a lot."

• glz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "So far, horrible with Wixela. It does absolutely nothing for my asthma. VA changed my prescription from Symbicort to this, and now I can barely do any physical activity. Stuff is rubbish, gives me a hoarse throat, chest tightness, and rapid heartbeat! Please stop prescribing this!"

• mia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2021

For COPD, Maintenance "The worst inhaler I have ever used. It has caused side effects of a sore throat, bad cough, congestion, sleeping issues, muscle and bone pain, and doesn't work well as an inhaler. Do NOT recommend. My emergency inhaler works better and lasts longer."

• Nav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was on Symbicort for years. Worked well, no problems. The VA switched me to Wixela. Horrible. My voice is so hoarse no one can understand me when I talk. Talked to VA when I saw other reviews from Vets saying how bad this medication is. The VA said that's what they are giving me. So I took it for a while, now I cannot talk. My wife messaged them again, they are putting me back on Symbicort. Bad medication."

• You...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 13, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "After struggling with a series of ineffective corticosteroid inhalers, leukotriene modifiers, and antihistamines for nightly asthma episodes that set in in April 2014, I finally asked my doctor about Advair Diskus. I was very hesitant to use it because I was alarmed about the black box warning on this product and because I got a really nasty sore throat when I was on this when I was 6 or 7. I'm really glad I tried this medication. 250/50 brought my nightly episodes down to four days a week, and my current dose of 500/50 has me only needing my albuterol inhaler one or two nights per week. It's been a fantastic drug for me! The $60 copay isn't too terrible, which is also a plus."

• Tig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was switched by the VA from Symbicort to this Wixela. Within hours of taking it, I could feel a negative change in my breathing. It went from easy, smooth breaths to some feeling of labored breathing. Followed with becoming easily winded, couldn't work in my yard without multiple breaks. My heart rate would also increase, contributing to the need for a break. Sore throat and tongue sensitivity, also, I brush my teeth and rinse after each use. Why would you change something that works? I'm so frustrated with this."

• Say...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "From day one of taking this medication, my throat has felt like I am swallowing razor blades and glass. Nothing stops the pain. It also has not helped my asthma symptoms at all."

• Jab...
• January 14, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "Do not buy or use this inhaler. This is dangerous to your health. My heart was pumping at 150 beats per minute, and my throat and voice were about gone. Stay far away from this stuff."

• sue...
• April 21, 2017

For COPD, Maintenance "Does not work for me at all. Also caused diarrhea and sore throat."