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Compare Atrovent HFA vs. Advair

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Ipratropium (Atrovent HFA) and fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair) are both prescription medications, but they serve different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Atrovent HFA is an inhaled anticholiergic medication used as maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It works by blocking acetylcholine in the lungs, which allows the muscles in your airway to relax, making it easier to breathe. Advair is an inhaler that combines fluticasone, an inhaled corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). Advair is used for the maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD by reducing inflammation and relaxing lung muscles. Atrovent HFA is only available as a brand name medication, while Advair is available in both brand and generic forms. Atrovent HFA is typically used four times a day, whereas Advair is used twice daily. Common side effects of Atrovent HFA include cough and headache, while Advair can cause upper respiratory infections and sore throat. Additionally, Advair requires rinsing your mouth after use to prevent fungal infections, a step not needed with Atrovent HFA.

  • Atrovent hfa (ipratropium)
    Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol)
  • Atrovent hfa (ipratropium)
    Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol)

  • Summary of Atrovent HFA vs. Advair

    Summary for SAMA
    Prescription only

    Atrovent HFA (ipratropium) is a short-acting inhaled anticholinergic medication used to help with difficulty breathing in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This medication comes in an inhaler. Typically, you breathe in 2 inhalations, 4 times a day. You should use Atrovent HFA (ipratropium) regularly every day in order it for it to keep your COPD symptoms under control. It's not meant to be used as a rescue inhaler.

    Summary for ICS / LABA combo
    Prescription only

    Advair is a combination inhaler that contains fluticasone (an inhaled corticosteroid) and salmeterol (a long-acting beta agonist, or LABA). Advair Diskus is used for maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in adults and children, where as Advair HFA is for asthma only. Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol) is inhaled through the mouth, typically 1 to 2 puffs twice daily. Some common side effects of this medication include upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat, and headache.

  • Indications of Atrovent HFA vs. Advair

    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults
    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment of asthma
    •Maintenance treatment of COPD - Advair Diskus 250/50 only

  • Pros and Cons of Atrovent HFA vs. Advair

    Pros and Const for SAMA
    Pros
    •Works well as a maintenance treatment for COPD
    •Small inhaler, so easy to take with you, compared to the nebulized ipratropium
    •Not many interactions with other medications
    Cons
    •Need to use 2 puffs (inhalations) every 4 hours
    •Not a rescue inhaler
    •It's not completely clear how safe it is for pregnant or breastfeeding females
    Pros and Const for ICS / LABA combo
    Pros
    •Works well to lower the risk of asthma or COPD symptoms
    •Combines two medications into a single inhaler for convenience
    •Available as two different types of inhalers (Advair Diskus and Advair HFA)
    Cons
    •Can cause fungal infections (thrush) in your mouth and throat
    •Advair Diskus contains lactose, so it might not be safe for people with severe milk protein allergies
    •Doesn't replace your rescue inhaler

  • Common Side Effects of Atrovent HFA vs. Advair

    Common Side Effects for
    •Cough and other symptoms of bronchitis (10-23%)
    •Worsened COPD symptoms (8-23%)
    •Trouble breathing (7-8%)
    •Tiredness, chills, and other flu-like symptoms (4-8%)
    •Headache (6-7%)
    •Back pain (2-7%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Advair Diskus:

    •Upper respiratory infection (up to 27%)
    •Sore throat (up to 13%)
    •Headache (up to 13%)
    •Bronchitis (up to 8%)
    •Cough (up to 6%)
    •Nausea and vomiting (up to 6%)
    •Hoarseness (up to 5%)

    Advair HFA:

    •Upper respiratory infection (up to 24%)
    •Headache (up to 21%)
    •Throat irritation (up to 9%)
    •Muscle and bone pain (up to 7%)
    •Nausea and vomiting (up to 5%)

  • Warnings of Atrovent HFA vs. Advair

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
    •Risk of eye and vision problems
    •Trouble urinating
    Common Side Effects for
    •Not for use in asthma attack or for worsening breathing
    •Fungal infection in the mouth
    •Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
    •Higher risk of infections
    •Altered stress hormone levels
    •Delayed growth in children
    •Eye and vision problems
    •Heart problems
    •Low potassium levels in the blood
    •Allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Atrovent HFA vs. Advair

    Learn more about Atrovent hfa
    Learn more about Advair

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