Doctors On Call

What kind of a medication is Singulair and when is it used?

Singulair is a leukotriene inhibitor. Now, if you are not a doctor or a pharmacist, or someone who really knows their drugs, this means nothing to you. Well, let us explain. The said leukotrienes are in fact chemicals that get released in your body once the allergens (things that you are allergic to, such as dust, pollen or any other) get inside your respiratory tract when you breathe in. Once these chemicals are released they result in your lings swelling and the muscles around the airways to tighten, which makes it harder for the air to pass through, effectively causing asthma symptoms. Singulair inhibits the production and the functioning of these leukotrienes, which in turn leads to much less pronounced symptoms of allergies and asthma. However, it has to be noted that once the asthma attack, or an allergic attack has already started, this medication will not be of any use. It is used as a means of preventing these attacks, and in this field, this is one of the best medications on the market, if not the best. Another great thing about Singulair is that it can be used in children as young as 12 months, which is not the case with most other anti-allergenics or anti-asthma drugs which are usually too dangerous for use in children that young.

What else should I know about Singulair?

There are other things that you need to know about Singulair and that you need to be aware of, especially if you decided to start taking it for your asthma or your allergies. For one, it comes in several variations. It comes in regular tablets, in chewable tablets, in oral granules which are most commonly used in little children who cannot take tablets, but you can only mix it in ice cream, rice, mashed carrots, applesauce, baby formula and breast milk. You should not use any other liquids if you are giving Singulair to your child. You should also make sure that you are following the instructions given by your doctor or that you can read on the label. If you take more of this medication, you will not feel more beneficial effects, on the contrary. You should also consult with your doctor about any side effects or interactions that you might expect Singulair to have with any other medications that you might be taking. It is also of vital importance that you do not decide on your own to stop using this medication, as your asthma may get worse if you do it improperly. Ask your doctor to talk you through the proper procedure of discontinuing your Singulair treatment.

If you remember all of this and adhere to these recommendations and especially the ones that your doctor has given to you, Singulair will really make a great change in your life, helping you cope with asthma like no other medication out there is capable to do.

Advair Diskus – a powerful combination against asthma

Advair Diskus is a combination preparation which combines two different medications that are both aimed at managing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These two medications are fluticasone propionate and salmeterol xinoafate.

Fluticasone propionate is a corticosteroid that is derived from fluticasone and it is used in treatment of asthma, as well as hay fever. It prevents and treats inflammations that are sometimes present in cases of asthma and more commonly in cases of COPD.

Salmeterol xinoafate is a long-acting beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (LABA) and as such it relaxes the smooth muscles in the airways, thus causing bronchodilation and thus preventing asthma attacks and COPD events.

When combined, these two make Advair Diskus, a combination that relaxes the airways and also holds anti-inflammatory properties, which in turn, relieves such symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing. Advair Diskus comes in the form of a diskus device and hence the name. This device is used to administer the medication in form of a dry powder. However, you need to keep in mind that Advair Diskus is not meant for use once the asthma attack has already begun. It is only to be used for prevention of asthma attacks and managing the condition.

Advair Diskus treatment – details

First of all, your doctor needs to establish if you are going to benefit from an Advair Diskus treatment and if this medication poses any risks for your health. For example, if you are allergic to any of the two medications that make Advair Diskus, or if you are allergic to any of the components of either of the two, you will be told not to risk a serious allergic reaction and to try an alternative medication. Also, there are some conditions that might require additional testing and a closely monitored regimen in order for the treatment to be effective. These conditions include: heart disease, high blood pressure, seizure disorders, any infections, compromised immune system, diabetes, glaucoma, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, thyroid disease and liver disease.

Due to the method of administration of the Advair Diskus, you need to make sure that everything is clear when it comes to the proper procedure. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your health care provider or your pharmacist to clear things up. Furthermore, keep in mind that you should never make changes to your schedule or your dosage on your won. This kind of decisions is best left to the doctor. In addition, you should inform yourself about any side effects that can be caused by Advair Diskus, as well as any interactions with other medications, which may be plenty, due to the fact that Advair Diskus is in fact two medications combined.

Keeping this in mind, you will experience an Advair Diskus treatment that will greatly improve your asthma or your chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, making it easier for you to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.