What Are the Dangers of Stopping Advair Use?

Stopping medications sometimes causes problems. Advair is a medication that combines two drugs: a steroid to reduce inflammation in your lungs and a bronchodilator that lets more air into the lungs. It is used primarily for patients with asthma but has been approved for use with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Bronchodilators

• Stopping a bronchodilator does not cause any adverse reaction due to medication withdrawal. The only result is that the bronchial tubes do not dilate and your condition might worsen.

Steroids

• Advair contains a steroid. Stopping steroids can cause acute adrenal crisis, because your body is depending on the drug to make necessary steroids. However, inhaled steroids taken at normal dosage do not usually cause complications. If you are taking a higher than normal dosage, it is necessary to consult with your doctor about gradually stopping the medication.

Product Information

• GlaxoSmithKline warns that stopping normal use of Advair suddenly might result in symptoms worsening and users should discuss stopping with their physicians first.

Considerations

• Advair has many side effects. Use it only if your doctor evaluates that other medications do not adequately control your condition.

Warning

• Even though Advair decreases the frequency of asthma attacks, it has been linked to increased deaths due to more severe attacks when they occur. If stopping Advair suddenly, keep a rescue inhaler on hand in case your condition worsens.