Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Medications

I am taking Advar and Spirvira both is thiusa o.k.
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Spiriva is an anticholenergic used to treat various forms of COPD, but rarely asthma.  The primary function of these medications is to reduce mucous in the respiratory system.  They do have a mild broncho-dilating affect.  I have not used Spiriva so I am unsure of its dosage, but I have taken ipratropium which is in the same class.  As a neb solution it lasts 6 hours and as an MDI it last 4 hours.  Check your prescription for dosing on this medication.

Advair is a combination medication used to treat COPD and asthma.  It has two active components a cortocosteroid (antiinflamatory) AND an LABA (long acting beta2 agonist that lasts 12 hours).   Beta2 agonists are the broncho-dilaters.  There are two kinds - long and short acting.  Long acting forms are not recommend for use by asthmatics unless they are also being used with a corticosteroid as in Advair (Symbicort and Dulera as well).  Short acting forms are a form of albuterol.  They last about four hours and are considered the rescue inhaler.

Advair and Spiriva is a common combination of meds for COPD patients.  However, you should also have a rescue inhlaer containing some form of albuterol.  Combivent is another option used by many COPD patients.  It contains albuterol and ipatropium.  Combivent may be off the market in the US though as the EPA has banned the use of CFC's propelants in inhalers.  I don't think they were able to reformulate this medication to fit these new laws. However, since Combivent is unique, it may have gotten an exemption or extension.

If you are an asthma patient, the use of anticholenergics like ipatropium and Spiriva for therapy is increasing.  You could have a doctor on the cutting edge.

Bottom line, Advair and Spiriva are safe to use together as daily therapy, but you also need a rescue inhaler.

Take care and God bless.
Helpful - 0
1563533 tn?1345366296
Yes! Spiriva  is a long acting 24 hour broncho-dialator. So this means it will dialate your airway, make it bigger so air can pass thru it easier.

Adviar: is a cortico-steriod. This means it is a anti-inflammatory type med that will take the inflammed part and calm it down.
These are two very different medications. one holds it open and the other calms down the inflammed parts.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
Do you have a question or problem we could help you with?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Healing home remedies for common ailments
Tricks to help you quit for good.
Is your area one of the dirtiest-air cities in the nation?
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.