What Do Flovent and Advair Treat?
Flovent and Advair are both prescription inhalers for asthma management in adults and children. Flovent controls persistent asthma symptoms long-term. Advair treats asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), preventing flare-ups and breathing issues.[1][2]
Key Ingredients
Flovent contains fluticasone propionate, a corticosteroid that reduces airway inflammation.[1]
Advair combines fluticasone propionate (same corticosteroid) with salmeterol, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) that relaxes airway muscles for better airflow.[2]
How They Differ in Action
Flovent works solely as an anti-inflammatory to prevent asthma attacks when used daily. It does not provide quick relief during attacks.[1]
Advair adds bronchodilation from salmeterol, offering dual control of inflammation and bronchospasm. This makes it stronger for moderate-to-severe cases but requires caution due to LABA risks like worsening asthma in some patients.[2][3]
When Doctors Choose One Over the Other
Doctors prescribe Flovent for mild persistent asthma or as a first-line maintenance therapy. Advair fits moderate persistent asthma, COPD, or when added bronchodilation is needed alongside a steroid. Guidelines from the Global Initiative for Asthma recommend stepping up to combination inhalers like Advair if a steroid alone fails.[3][4]
Flovent suits patients avoiding LABAs; Advair may be preferred for exercise-induced symptoms or nighttime wheezing.
Forms, Dosing, and Delivery
Both come as metered-dose inhalers (HFA) or dry powder inhalers (Diskus for Advair).
- Flovent HFA: 44, 110, or 220 mcg per puff; typically 1-2 puffs twice daily.
- Advair Diskus: 100/50, 250/50, or 500/50 mcg (fluticasone/salmeterol); 1 inhalation twice daily.
Advair HFA adds 45/21 or 115/21 mcg options. Dosing depends on age, severity, and prior response.[1][2]
Side Effects and Risks
Flovent's main risks are oral thrush, hoarseness, and rare systemic effects like growth delay in kids with high doses.[1]
Advair carries those plus LABA warnings: increased asthma-related death risk if used alone (not an issue in combination), heart palpitations, and tremors. FDA black box warns against LABAs as solo therapy.[2][3]
Both require mouth rinsing to cut thrush risk.
Cost and Availability
Flovent costs $200-400 for a month's supply without insurance; generics (fluticasone) run $50-150. Advair is pricier at $300-600; generics (fluticasone/salmeterol) became available in 2023, dropping to $100-300.[5]
Check DrugPatentWatch.com for patent details on generics: Flovent patents expired earlier, while Advair's faced challenges allowing earlier entries.[6]
[1] Flovent HFA Prescribing Information, GSK.
[2] Advair Diskus Prescribing Information, GSK.
[3] FDA Drug Safety Communication on LABAs.
[4] GINA 2023 Asthma Guidelines.
[5] GoodRx average retail prices (2024).
[6] DrugPatentWatch.com