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Compare Flovent vs. Advair

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

Key takeaways

Flovent (fluticasone) and Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) are both inhaled medications used for the maintenance treatment of asthma. They both contain fluticasone, an inhaled corticosteroid, which helps reduce inflammation in the lungs. However, Advair also includes salmeterol, a long-acting beta agonist (LABA), which helps relax the muscles in your airways to make breathing easier. Flovent is used only for asthma, while Advair is used for both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Flovent is available as Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus, and it is typically taken as two inhalations twice daily. Advair comes as Advair Diskus and Advair HFA, with dosing varying based on the condition being treated. Flovent has a generic version available, while Advair has a generic called Wixela Inhub. Common side effects of both medications include throat irritation and upper respiratory infections, but Advair may also cause heart-related side effects due to the salmeterol component. Both medications require you to rinse your mouth after use to prevent oral thrush, a fungal infection.

  • Flovent (fluticasone)
    Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol)
  • Flovent (fluticasone)
    Advair (fluticasone / salmeterol)

  • Summary of Flovent vs. Advair

    Summary for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
    Prescription only

    Flovent (fluticasone) is an inhaled corticosteroid medication used in people 4 years and older with asthma. It helps keep lung inflammation low and the airways open. This inhaler is used twice per day. When used every day, Flovent (fluticasone) can lower the number and severity of asthma attacks. It's not a rescue inhaler, so it won't help an asthma attack that has already started.

    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 Flovent vs. Advair

    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment of asthma
    Indications for
    •Maintenance treatment of asthma
    •Maintenance treatment of COPD - Advair Diskus 250/50 only

  • Pros and Cons of Flovent vs. Advair

    Pros and Const for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
    Pros
    •Works well to prevent and lower asthma symptoms
    •Has few side effects since the medication is directly inhaled into the lungs
    •Available as two different types of inhalers (HFA inhaler and Diskus inhaler)
    •Lower-cost generic available for Flovent HFA
    Cons
    •Need to use twice per day
    •Need to rinse your mouth after each use to prevent fungal infection in the mouth (thrush)
    •Can't use to treat active asthma attacks
    •Can't use Flovent Diskus if you're allergic to milk proteins since it contains lactose
    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 Flovent vs. Advair

    Common Side Effects for

    In general, common side effects for Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus are very similar:

    •Throat irritation
    •Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., common cold)
    •Sinus infection or swelling
    •Headache
    •Cough
    •Voice hoarseness or difficulty speaking
    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 Flovent vs. Advair

    Common Side Effects for
    •Fungal infection in the mouth
    •Narrowing of your airways (bronchospasm)
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •Altered stress hormone levels
    •Delayed growth in children
    •Eye and vision problems
    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 Flovent vs. Advair

    Learn more about Flovent
    Learn more about Advair

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