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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Advair Withdrawal Symptoms?
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Advair Withdrawal Symptoms?
by pecurls, May 31, 2007 12:00AM
I have been using an Advair diskus since suffering what the doctors diagnosed as an asthma attack (my first ever at 50!) last September. I have cut down using the disk to Mon-wed-Friday and want to stop using it all together. The last dose was taken Wednesday morning and by Monday I was sick as a dog with fever and breathing problems. I started using it again Tuesday and today (Thursday) I am feeling much better.
My question is this - Could I have been experiencing "rebound" effect of using the disk for a prolonged period of time? Are there withdrawal symptoms of discontinuing the product?
The only info I could find online was "do not suddenly stop taking this medicine". It hasn't been sudden. I have been using it M-W-F only for the last 2 months.
Thanks for any help.
My question is this - Could I have been experiencing "rebound" effect of using the disk for a prolonged period of time? Are there withdrawal symptoms of discontinuing the product?
The only info I could find online was "do not suddenly stop taking this medicine". It hasn't been sudden. I have been using it M-W-F only for the last 2 months.
Thanks for any help.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jun 04, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 04, 2007 12:00AM
It is not surprising that the discontinuation of effective medication could result, not in a rebound, but in an exacerbation. The fever is not a part of that picture, however, and raises the possibility that you might have contracted an acute respiratory illness, unrelated to stopping the medication. However, I share your suspicion that stopping the Advair™ Diskus® (fluticasone/salmeterol) had something to do with your acute illness. Finally, reducing the medication to Monday-Wednesday-Friday is not the same as what you did when you stopped it completely – that is, suddenly.
You should probably be on low dose Advair™ Diskus® (fluticasone/salmeterol) for the asthma.
A final thought. If you were initially using high dose (500-50) Advair™ Diskus® (fluticasone/salmeterol), it is conceivable that you might have had some suppression of adrenal gland function and your acute illness was a response to that.
You should probably be on low dose Advair™ Diskus® (fluticasone/salmeterol) for the asthma.
A final thought. If you were initially using high dose (500-50) Advair™ Diskus® (fluticasone/salmeterol), it is conceivable that you might have had some suppression of adrenal gland function and your acute illness was a response to that.
Advair is a maintence drug, you take it everday and hopefully it will help prevent breathing problems or asthma attacks. Why are you only using it three days a week? Advair is usually taken one to two times DAILY.
You shouldn't suddenly stop taking this medicine because the reason/symptoms you started taking it in the first place will return.
You should absolutely contact your physician and tell him you wish to stop taking this medication. There are no withdrawl symptoms that I know of.
And just to add....if you are not taking Advair as prescribed and you DO have an asthma attack, this drug will not help you. It is not a fast acting medication. Be sure to have albuterol or the like near by.
-Amanda
Yes, I carry a rescue inhaler and gratefully I have never needed it.
I know what Advair is and why it was prescribed for me. Apparently, this respiratory infection is not Advair related at all. I only asked if it could be.
This forum is a great place. I've been reading here regularly since my illness last September. Sometimes I find more information here than in my doc's office.
After stopping use, cold turkey, Dr. would'nt listen to me, Headaches stopped within a couple days, ringing in ears slowly went away but has come back off and on, after about two weeks started having heart palipitations, irregular, racing fiercely once, depression which I new was coming so was able to deal with it. Severe joint pain and muscle pain, anything I ever hurt in my life hurt like hell, would move from place to place after a coulpe days. Heart Dr. put me on slow-mag to help regulate heart has helped tremendously. Still have light headedness on occasion and don't feel good too often. I relate to Advair as never had those problems before.
Force your Dr. to see you or see specialist, this stuff is'nt for everyone.
Most MDs have not seen people with reactions. I cannot take Statins either due to muscle pain and fatigue.
P.S., it did help my breathing, but not worth it, don't need a stroke or heart attack. Will deal with Asthma in other ways.
5 months and I still have some effects of the drug.
Good luck.