Atrovent vs. Advair

• Are Atrovent and Advair the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Atrovent?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Advair?
• What Is Atrovent?
• What Is Advair?
• What Drugs Interact with Atrovent?
• What Drugs Interact with Advair?
• How Should Atrovent Be Taken?
• How Should Advair Be Taken?

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) and Advair HFA (salmeterol and fluticasone) are inhalers used to treat chronic bronchitis.

Atrovent HFA is also used for maintenance and treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Advair HFA is also used to treat asthma.

Atrovent HFA is a c bronchodilator and Advair HFA is a combination of a corticosteroid and a bronchodilator.

Common side effects of Atrovent include:

• headache
• dry mouth
• hoarseness
• cough
• stuffy nose
• sinus pain
• nausea
• upset stomach
• constipation
• back pain
• fever
• chills
• body aches
• flu symptoms
• blurred vision, and
• dizziness

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Atrovent HFA including bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing), eye pain, seeing halos around lights, pain or burning when you urinate, urinating less than usual or not at all, or worsening of your symptoms.

Common side effects of Advair include:

• upper respiratory tract infections,
• headaches,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach upset,
• diarrhea,
• yeast infections of the mouth or throat (oral thrush),
• sore throat,
• dry mouth/nose/throat,
• stuffy nose,
• sinus pain,
• cough,
• sore throat,
• hoarseness or deepened voice, and
• musculoskeletal pain.

Atrovent HFA (ipratropium bromide HFA) is an anticholinergic bronchodilator, packaged in an inhaler, used for maintenance and treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Atrovent HFA is available as a generic termed ipratropium bromide.

Advair Diskus (fluticasone and salmeterol oral inhaler) is a combination of a corticosteroid and a beta2-adrenergic bronchodilator used to treat asthma and chronic bronchitis, including COPD associated with chronic bronchitis. Advair Diskus is used in patients whose symptoms are not adequately controlled on a long-term asthma control medication, since one of the active ingredients in salmeterol is LABA, which has been linked to asthma-related deaths. Advair Diskus should not be used to treat acute episodes of asthma or COPD. Advair Diskus is available in generic form.

Atrovent HFA may interact with other bronchodilators. Atrovent HFA may also interact with bladder or urinary medicines, cold or allergy medicines that contain an antihistamine, medications for Parkinson's disease, or medications to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Advair may interact with amiodarone, diuretics (water pills), HIV medicines, MAO inhibitors, antidepressants, antibiotics, or beta-blockers

The usual starting dose of ATROVENT HFA is two inhalations four times a day. Patients may take additional inhalations as required; however, the total number of inhalations should not exceed 12 in 24 hours.

For patients aged 12 years and older, the dosage of Advair Diskus is 1 inhalation twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart.