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Advair Drug Interactions

by on July 23, 2012

Combining Advair (Fluticasone, Salmeterol) with certain medications can lead to possible drug interactions. People taking Advair should be aware of the medicines that can potentially react with it.

Significant Drug Interactions

Some of the medications that can cause significant drug interaction with Advair include the following:

Beta blockers – Combining Advair and a beta-blocker can make both drugs less effective. Furthermore, people taking Advair for asthma treatment should avoid using beta-blockers as these drugs can worsen their condition. Although some beta-blockers are less likely to cause interaction with Advair, all beta-blockers can possibly cause problems.

  • Atenolol (Tenormin)
  • Carvedilol (Coreg)
  • Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol)

Certain antibiotics or antifungals – Certain antibiotics or antifungals can increase the blood serum levels of Advair, possibly increasing your chances of experiencing side effects. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider if you are taking certain antibiotics or antifungal drugs.

  • Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
  • Telithromycin (Ketek)
  • Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  • Itraconazole (Sporanox)

Certain diuretics/ “water pill” – Combining Advair with certain diuretics can lead to low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia), especially for people taking Advair more frequently than prescribed. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using these drugs together.

  • Bumetanide (Bumex)
  • Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
  • Chlorthalidone (Thalitone)
  • Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
  • Furosemide (Lasix)
  • Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDIURIL)
  • Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
  • Torsemide (Demadex)

Digoxin – Advair can decrease the blood level of digoxin, potentially making it less effective. If taking these medications together, your healthcare provider may need to closely monitor your response to diuretic therapy for possible dose adjustment – especially when initiating or discontinuing Advair.

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIS) – Advair can potentially increase the risk of dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension) in patients taking MAOIs. Caution should be taken when using these drugs together. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using these drugs together.

  • Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
  • Phenelzine (Nardil)
  • Rasagiline (Azilect)
  • Selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam)

Other long-acting beta agonists – One of the active ingredients of Advair is classified as a long-acting beta agonist, combining it with similar medications can increase the chances of life-threatening asthma attacks, even loss of life.

  • Arformoterol (Brovana)
  • Indacaterol maleate (Arcapta)
  • Formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist)
  • Mometasone/formoterol (Dulera)
  • Salmeterol (Serevent)

HIV medications/protease inhibitors – Combining Advair and HIV drugs can increase the levels of Advair HFA in the blood, increasing your chances of experiencing side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using these drugs together.

  • Atazanavir (Reyataz)
  • Ritonavir (Norvir)
  • Indinavir (Crixivan)
  • Nelfinavir (Viracept)
  • Saquinavir (Invirase)

Antidepressants – Mixing Advair and tricyclic antidepressants may increase the risk of serious side effects, particularly very low blood pressure (hypotension) or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Extreme caution should be taken when using these drugs together. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using these drugs together.

  • Amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip)
  • Desipramine (Norpramin)
  • Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • Nefazodone
  • Imipramine (Tofranil)

This medication guide does not discuss all the drugs that can potentially interact with Advair. Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about all the drugs you take, both prescription and nonprescription medications. Do not start using any new medication unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider.

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