Advair and Weight Gain
Advair (Fluticasone, Salmeterol) is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), associated with emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis. It contains two active ingredients fluticasone, a corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a bronchodilator. Like other medications, Advair can cause some side effects and weight gain appears to be one of them.
What Studies Say?
Before any medication is approved by the FDA for marketing and distribution, it needs to undergo clinical trials. These clinical studies are participated by thousands of people. Data are then gathered, including side effects that occur while using the medication, and then compared with another group of people who did not take the drug. In these clinical studies, Advair has not shown to cause weight gain.
However, post-marketing experience reveals that Advair can potentially cause an increase in weight. Some patients who have taken this medication reported weight gain. However, since post-marketing experience involves voluntary reports from actual users, it is difficult to know how frequent this side effect occurs. And since cases of weight gain due to Advair are rarely reported, it is difficult to know whether it is caused by this medication or some other factors.
Women and children most often report experiencing slight weight gain while using Advair.
It is suggested that the steroid content of Advair, fluticasone, can cause weight gain. The increase in weight is probably due to water retention or changes in fat metabolism.
If you notice any change in weight while taking Advair, talk with your healthcare provider. Do not discontinue taking this medication or adjust your dose without consulting your doctor. Your healthcare provider will give you specific information on how to manage weight gain.
Managing Weight Gain Due to Advair
If you experience an increase in weight with Advair, there are several things that can help control your weight. Healthcare experts recommend consuming heart-healthy diet. You should be careful with what you eat. Consider increasing your intake of nutritive foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, nuts, and low-fat or fat-free milk products. You should also limit your intake of fatty foods, salt, and too much sugar.
If possible, you should increase your physical activity. Engaging in a good 30-minute physical exercise each day can help cut down excess calories. You may also need to consider limiting alcohol intake as it can also cause weight gain.
If these weight control measures do not seem to work or if your weight gain becomes a problem, consult your healthcare provider. He or she will normally perform a complete physical exam to look for other possible causes of weight gain. Take note that some medical conditions can also weight gain. If weight gain persists despite treatment options, he or she may consider adjusting your dose or switching to other alternative medications.
