Airtec-SF is an inhaled medication, prescribed in bronchial asthma and COAD (Chronic obstructive Airway disease) patients. It is a mixture of steroid and a long acting bronchodilator. Steroid is Fluticasone. Long acting bronchodilator is Salmeterol.
Airtec-SF is available as a dry powder Airtec-SF Diskus and as an Airtec-SF HFA aerosol. Usage instructions should be taken from the healthcare professionals.
What are the common side effects of Airtec-SF?
Side effects due to the steroid Fluticasone in Airtec-SF
High doses of inhaled steroids suppress natural steroid production. Due to this suppression you may need increased doses of steroids during illnesses.
So you should not stop the medication without consulting your doctor. Also you should have a Steroid card with you all the time if you are on high dose of steroids. This card is needed inform health care professionals that you are on steroids, if you are found unconscious.
High doses of inhaled Fluticasone are associated with increased chance of having respiratory tract infections. Bone mineral density may be reduced, so patients may get osteoporosis. Hoarseness of the voice and oral fungal infections can occur with this medication.
Side effects due to Salmeterol in Airtec-SF
Palpitations, fine tremor, nervous tension and headache are the commonest side effects. Rarely nausea, increased heart rate, sleep disturbances and muscle cramps can occur.
Very rarely heart attacks, low blood pressure and allergies are reported.
What the doctor should know before prescription?
The doctor should know your complete medical history including over the counter medications you are on, before prescribing Airtec-SF. If you have,
* Hyperthyroidism
* Heart disease
* Hypertension
* Liver disease
* Diabetes mellitus
Then you need to discuss with your doctor before taking Advair. This medication is known to lower blood potassium levels. So doctors will monitor blood potassium levels in severe asthma.
Before prescribing this, the doctor should know whether you are pregnant or nursing as well.
How Airtec-SF acts?
In asthma and COAD, inflammation of the smaller airways blocks the airflow and causes symptoms. Inflammation causes edema and narrowing of the airways.
Steroids like Fluticasone reduce the airway inflammation associated with bronchial asthma. They are prescribed to treat and to prevent asthma attacks. Inhalation steroids are preferred to oral in the long term treatment, because oral steroids need to go through the blood to reach the lungs. But inhalation steroids directly go into the lungs, bypassing other organs.
Salmeterol is a long acting bronchodilator in the selective beta agonist family. They dilate already narrowed small airways in the lung and give a rapid response. Due to this bronchodilators are used to treat bronchial asthma. But longer acting (steroid) drugs are prescribed to prevent attacks.
Airtec-SF is usually indicated in patients who have a poor response to long term inhalation steroids.
Sources
BNF
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