Wixela Inhub is a combination inhaler that contains fluticasone (an inhaled corticosteroid) and salmeterol (a long-acting beta agonist, or LABA). This medication is used as maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma in adults and children. It's inhaled by mouth twice daily. Some of the more common side effects of Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) include upper respiratory tract infections, sore throat, and headaches. Wixela Inhub is the generic version of Advair Diskus.
Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) is a combination of two medications that work together to help treat asthma and COPD symptoms.
Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid. The exact way that it works to treat asthma isn't well-understood. But it's thought to work directly in your lungs to lower inflammation and swelling, thus making it easier for you to breathe.
Salmeterol is a long-acting beta agonist. It works by relaxing the muscles in your lungs to open up your airways, making it easier to breathe.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Works well to lower the risk of asthma or COPD symptoms
Combines two medications into a single inhaler for convenience
Can be used in children as young as 4 years old with asthma
Not a rescue inhaler for treating sudden trouble breathing
Needs to be used twice per day
Can cause fungal infections (thrush) in your mouth and throat
Not a good choice for people allergic to lactose
Use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) twice daily at the same times every day. This medication works best if it's taken regularly every day.
Make sure to rinse your mouth with water and spit after each time you use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol). This helps prevent fungal infections in your mouth and throat (thrush).
If you have sudden trouble breathing during a COPD or asthma attack, use your rescue inhaler. Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) won't treat an asthma attack as it's happening.
Call your provider if your breathing or peak flow meter results worsen. Also contact your provider if you're using your rescue inhaler more often than usual. These could be signs that your Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) dose is too low, or you need another long-acting medication to help manage your asthma.
Don't start any new medications while you're taking Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) without asking your provider or pharmacist first. Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) can interact with other medications, such as blood pressure medications (e.g., beta blockers), tricyclic antidepressants, and certain water pills (diuretics). Your providers can check for interactions to make sure your medications are safe to take.
Store Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) at room temperature in a dry place away from heat or sunlight. Keep unused inhalers in the original foil pouch.
Tips for using Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol):
Make sure you know how to use the Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) inhaler. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Let your provider know if you're severely allergic to milk proteins because Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) contains lactose.
After removing the Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) inhaler from the foil pouch, it's good for 1 month. Write the expiration ("use by") date on the first blank line on the inhaler.
There's a dose counter on the front face of the Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) inhaler. It should say "60" for a new inhaler. Use this counter to keep track of when you need to get a refill.
You don't need to prime or shake the Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) inhaler before using it.
When you're ready to take your dose, open your inhaler and push down on the yellow lever until it clicks. Hold the Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) inhaler in a vertical position. Then, breathe out as long as you can.
To inhale, place your lips firmly around the mouthpiece and take a fast and deep breath. Try to hold your breath for up to 10 seconds or for as long as you comfortably can so that the medication can reach deep into your lungs. Then, rinse and spit with water.
Don't wash the Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) inhaler. Instead, clean the mouthpiece every once in a while by wiping it with a dry cloth. Don't get water or moisture on or near the inhaler. Moisture can make the dry powder medication clump together and clog the inhaler.
Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Don't use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) if you're experiencing sudden trouble breathing because this medication won't provide immediate relief. Use a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol (Ventolin HFA), if you have breathing problems.
If you're using your rescue inhaler more often than usual, let your provider know because this could be a sign that your condition is getting worse. Don't use more doses Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) than recommended because this won't improve your breathing. Rather, this can raise your risk for serious side effects, such as heart problems, tremors, and dizziness.
Risk factor: Not rinsing and spitting after using Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) | Weakened immune system from medical conditions or medications
Wixela Inub includes a steroid medication (fluticasone). When inhaled, it can cause a fungal infection in your mouth and throat called thrush. To lower your risk for thrush, rinse your mouth with water and spit after each inhalation of Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol). If you develop thrush, your provider might prescribe you a medication to treat this condition and ask you to temporarily stop using Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol). Let your provider know if you notice symptoms of thrush, such as white patches in your mouth, cotton-like feeling in your mouth, pain while eating or swallowing, or loss of taste.
Inhaled medications, including Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol), can sometimes cause a muscle spasm in your lungs. This can lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing, cough, and chest discomfort. If you have a hard time breathing after inhaling Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol), use your rescue inhaler and get medical attention right away.
Like all corticosteroid-containing medications, Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) can weaken your immune system and raise your risk for infections, including upper respiratory infections and pneumonia. Your risk for infections is higher if you're also taking other medications that weaken your immune system. If you're currently being treated for a serious infection, such as tuberculosis, let your provider know. They might need to consider a different medication for your condition until you get better. Let your provider know right away if you have symptoms of infections, such as fever, chills, body aches.
Risk factors: Using Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) for a long time | Using too much Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol)
Use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) only as directed. Don't use more than the maximum number of inhalations each day. Using more doses of Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) than recommended can cause more steroid to be absorbed into the body and you might experience symptoms such as higher blood sugar or blood pressure.
On the other hand, if you're transitioning to Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) from oral steroids, you might experience symptoms of low steroid hormone, such as stomach pain, loss of appetite, and nausea. When you transition to Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol), your provider will work with you to lower your dose of oral steroids slowly over time to prevent these side effects.
Children who use inhaled steroids, like Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol), might experience a delay in growth. To lower the risk of growth problems, your child's provider will only prescribe the lowest dose needed to help their condition. The provider will check your child's growth regularly while they're receiving this medication. If you're concerned about how Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) might affect your child's growth, discuss with your child's provider to see if this medication is right for them.
Risk factors: History of glaucoma or cataracts
Though rare, people using inhaled steroids over a long period of time have reported having higher pressure in the eyes, glaucoma, and cataracts. Talk to your eye provider before using Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) if you have glaucoma or cataracts because they might ask you to come in more often for eye exams. Also speak with them if you notice any changes to your vision while using the medication.
Risk factors: High blood pressure | Heart failure | Heart rate or rhythm problems | Using more Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) than recommended
The salmeterol in Wixela Inhub might cause changes in your blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm. But these side effects are typically unlikely to happen if you're taking the recommended dose of Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol). Your provider might ask you to regularly check your blood pressure and heart rate at home if you have high blood pressure or other heart problems. Don't use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) more often than recommended. If you find that you need to use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) more often, let your providers know so they can see if you need any changes to your treatment plan. Tell your provider if you have dizziness, fatigue, tremor, rapid heartbeat, or weakness after you use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol).
Risk factors: Using Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) too much
Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) can cause the potassium levels in your blood to drop too low. In most cases, this happens if you use more Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) than recommended. Drops in blood potassium levels are typically mild and your levels should go back to usual with time. Sometimes, low potassium can cause tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, a racing heart, and a "pins and needles" feeling in your hands and feet. Tell your provider if you experience any of these symptoms while you're using Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol). Also let your provider know if you need to use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) more often than instructed. Your treatment plan might need to be adjusted to better control your symptoms.
Allergic reactions to Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol) are possible. These reactions can include life-threatening facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Get medical attention right away if you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after you use Wixela Inhub (fluticasone / salmeterol).
Wixela Inhub is available in 3 different strengths: 100 mcg/50 mcg (fluticasone / salmeterol), 250 mcg/50 mcg (fluticasone / salmeterol), and 500 mcg/50 mcg (fluticasone / salmeterol).
Asthma:
Adults and children ages 12 years and older: Your provider will determine your dose based on how severe your asthma is and what other medications you've taken. The typical dose is 1 inhalation by mouth twice daily.
Children ages 4 to 11 years old: The typical dose is 1 inhalation of Wixela Inhub 100 mcg/50 mcg (fluticasone / salmeterol) by mouth twice daily.
COPD:
The typical dose is 1 inhalation of Wixela Inhub 250 mcg/50 mcg (fluticasone / salmeterol) by mouth twice daily.
Treatment of sudden, severe asthma attack
Allergy to fluticasone (inhaled corticosteroid) or salmeterol (long-acting beta agonist)
Serious lactose allergy
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