Advair Diskus and Advair HFA are brand-name prescription medications. Each medication contains two active drugs: fluticasone propionate and salmeterol. Fluticasone propionate belongs to a class of drugs called inhaled corticosteroids. Salmeterol is part of a drug class called long-acting beta agonists (LABAs).
Advair Diskus is available in a generic form. Advair HFA doesn’t currently have a generic form.
Advair Diskus is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- asthma in people ages 4 years and older
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults
Advair HFA is approved by the FDA to treat asthma in adults and children ages 12 years and older.
In this article, you’ll find additional information about Advair’s dosage and details on how to take the drug. For a comprehensive overview of Advair, view this article.
Finding a healthcare professional
If you’re interested in taking Advair, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.
This article describes typical recommended dosages for Advair. These dosages are provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
Always follow the dosage of Advair that your doctor prescribes.
The commonly recommended Advair dosages for adults and children are shown below.
You should follow the Advair dosing instructions your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your condition.
Advair’s forms and strengths
Advair is available in two forms: Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Both forms contain the active drugs fluticasone propionate and salmeterol.
Advair Diskus comes as a powder that you inhale through your mouth. It’s available in three strengths:
- 100 micrograms (mcg) fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol (100/50)
- 250 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol (250/50)
- 500 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol (500/50)
Advair HFA is an aerosol that you inhale through your mouth. It also comes in three strengths:
- 45 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol (45/21)
- 115 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol (115/21)
- 230 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol (230/21)
Typical recommended Advair Diskus inhaler dosage
Usually, doctors will prescribe a dosage of Advair Diskus based on the severity of your symptoms. Then, they’ll adjust the dosage over time if needed. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage that gives the desired effect.
Advair Diskus dosage for asthma and COPD
Below is a table that summarizes recommended dosages of Advair Diskus for adults and children. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
| Condition | Dose | Frequency | Maximum dosage |
| asthma in people ages 12 years and older | one inhalation of 100/50, 250/50, or 500/50 | twice per day, 12 hours apart | one inhalation of 500/50 twice per day, 12 hours apart |
| asthma in people ages 4 to 11 years | one inhalation of 100/50 | twice per day, 12 hours apart | ask your child’s doctor |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults | one inhalation of 250/50 | twice per day, 12 hours apart | ask your doctor |
Typical recommended Advair HFA inhaler dosage
Usually, doctors will prescribe a dosage of Advair HFA based on the severity of your symptoms. Then, they’ll adjust the dosage over time if needed. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage that gives the desired effect.
Advair HFA dosage for asthma
Below is an overview of Advair HFA’s recommended dosage for asthma in adults and children ages 12 years and older. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
- Starting dosage: two inhalations of 45/21, 115/21, or 230/21 twice per day, taken 12 hours apart
- Maintenance dosage: two inhalations of 45/21, 115/21, or 230/21 twice per day, taken 12 hours apart
- Maximum dosage: two inhalations of 230/21, twice per day, taken 12 hours apart
Children’s dosage
Recommended Advair dosages for children depend on whether Advair Diskus or Advair HFA is prescribed. They also vary based on the child’s age.
To view recommended dosages, see the sections above for typical recommended dosages of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.
Length of treatment
Doctors typically prescribe Advair as a long-term treatment. You’ll likely take it long term if you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition.
Below are some common questions related to Advair’s dosage. See the “Advair dosage” section above for information about Advair forms, strengths, and recommended dosages.
If my doctor switches my treatment from Symbicort to Advair, what’s the dosage conversion?
It depends. The dosage of Advair Diskus or Advair HFA that your doctor prescribes is based on:
- how severe your asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms are
- what treatments you’ve taken in the past
- how well your current treatment is managing your symptoms
- your risk of having worsened symptoms
Let your doctor know about any previous medications you’ve taken for asthma or COPD. They’ll recommend the best dosage of Advair HFA or Advair Diskus for your condition.
For details about how Advair compares with Symbicort, see this article.
What should I do if I accidentally took two doses of Advair?
If you take too much Advair, you may experience any of the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- racing heart rate
- shakiness
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away. Also, be sure to follow your prescribed dosage instructions to avoid taking too much medication.
How many Advair doses are there per inhaler?
Advair Diskus contains 60 doses of medication. That’s enough doses for 1 month (30 days) if you’re using the inhaler twice per day.
Advair HFA has a dose counter. It starts at either 124 or 064 and counts down each time you use a dose. Discard the inhaler when the counter reaches 000. The inhaler still works at that point, but it’s not known how much medication is left. To ensure you get a complete dose, start using a new Advair HFA inhaler.
If you have questions about using Advair Diskus or Advair HFA, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
What’s considered a low dose of Advair?
The dosage of Advair that you take depends on your symptoms. There isn’t a “typical” low dosage.
The lowest dose of Advair Diskus that’s available is 100 micrograms (mcg) fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol (100/50). The lowest dose of Advair HFA that’s available is 45 mcg fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 21 mcg (45/21).
If you’d like to know more about possible doses of Advair, talk with your doctor.
Your doctor will consider several factors when prescribing the dosage for Advair that’s best for your condition. These factors include:
- your age
- the condition you’re taking Advair to treat
- the severity of your condition
- the form of Advair you’re taking
Your prescribed dosage may also vary based on other medical conditions you may have.
Advair is available in two forms: Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Both forms contain the active drugs fluticasone propionate and salmeterol. And both forms are taken by inhaling them through your mouth.
Advair Diskus is a powder form and Advair HFA is an aerosol form. Instructions for using Advair Diskus and Advair HFA are available from the manufacturer.
You should rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after using either form of inhaler. This helps prevent an infection known as thrush.
Your doctor may recommend that you take Advair around the same time of day. Doing so will help maintain a consistent amount of the drug in your body. This can help Advair work effectively. Typically, you’ll take your dose of Advair twice per day, about 12 hours apart. For dosage details, see the “Advair dosage” section above.
To learn more about how to use inhalers for asthma treatment, see this article. For information about using inhalers to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), see this article. (Keep in mind that Advair is used to treat both conditions.)
If you find it challenging to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels with large print or braille. They may also offer labels containing a scannable code that your smartphone can convert from text to speech. If your pharmacy doesn’t provide these choices, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you miss a dose of Advair, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the time you typically take it. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed one. For details about dosages, see the “Advair: Dosage” section above.
View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm or download a reminder app on your phone.
If you use more than the recommended dosage of Advair, serious effects can occur. Do not use more Advair than your doctor prescribes. For details about dosages, see the “Advair: Dosage” section above.
Symptoms of overdose
Conditions and symptoms that an overdose of Advair could cause include:
- high cortisol level (Cushing’s syndrome), which may cause:
- unexplained weight gain
- round face
- increased fat around the base of the neck and between the shoulders, commonly known as a “buffalo hump”
- muscle weakness
- easy bruising
- stretch marks
- seizures
- blood pressure that is too high or too low
- changes in heart rate or rhythm
- chest pain or tightness
- headache
- feeling nervous, shaky, or dizzy
- muscle cramps
- dry mouth
- nausea
- insomnia
- high blood sugar
- changes in the body’s electrolytes
What to do in case of overdose
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or a local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for additional information about Advair’s dosage. Keep in mind that the dosages presented in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Advair that’s right for you and your condition. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any medications you’re taking, do not change your Advair dosage without a recommendation from your doctor.
In addition to discussing Advair with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more.
- Overview of Advair. For comprehensive details on Advair, see this article.
- Drug comparisons. To learn how Advair compares with Wixela, read this article. For information about how Advair compares with Symbicort, see this article.
- Information on side effects. If you’d like to know about possible side effects of Advair, view this article.
- Details about the drug’s uses. To learn more about Advair’s uses, which are conditions the drug treats, see these articles about:
Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.