Key takeaways

  • Advair is available in two forms: Advair Diskus and Advair HFA, each with different uses, strengths, and inhalation methods.
  • The recommended dosage is usually 1 inhalation (puff) twice daily. Specific dosages vary depending on the form of Advair you use, the severity of your condition, and your age.

Specifically, Advair Diskus is used to treat asthma in adults and in children ages 4 years and older. It’s also used for maintenance (ongoing) treatment of COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, in adults

Advair HFA is used to treat asthma in adults and in children ages 12 years and older.

Advair is a combination drug with two active ingredients: fluticasone propionate and salmeterol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

This article describes the dosages of Advair, including its forms, strengths, and how to take the drug. To learn more about Advair, including its side effects and uses, read this in-depth Advair article.

This section provides information about the typical dosage options of Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.

Each form has different dosage instructions. Your dosage of Advair will depend on the form you use and the condition being treated. Both forms contain the same active ingredients (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol).

Advair forms

Advair is available in two forms:

  • Advair Diskus, which has a dry powder that you inhale by mouth
  • Advair HFA, which has an inhalation aerosol that you inhale by mouth

Advair strengths

Advair Diskus is available in strengths of:

  • 100 micrograms (mcg) fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol (100/50) dry inhalation powder
  • 250 mcg fluticasone propionate/50 mcg salmeterol (250/50) dry inhalation powder
  • 500 mcg fluticasone propionate/50mcg salmeterol (500/50) dry inhalation powder

Advair HFA is available in strengths of:

  • 45 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol (45/21) inhalation aerosol
  • 115 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol (115/21) inhalation aerosol
  • 230 mcg fluticasone propionate/21 mcg salmeterol (230/21) inhalation aerosol

Typically, your doctor will start you on a dosage that’s based on the severity of your asthma or COPD. They may adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects of Advair that may prevent you from taking your medication.

Dosage for asthma in adults

The starting dose and maximum dose of Advair for asthma depend on the form you use and the severity of your asthma symptoms.

The Advair Diskus dose for adults is 1 inhalation (puff) at a strength of 100 mcg/50 mcg, 250 mcg/50 mcg, or 500 mcg/50 mcg. You take this amount twice per day, about 12 hours apart.

The Advair HFA dose for adults is 2 puffs at a strength of 45 mcg/21 mcg, 115 mcg/21 mcg, or 230 mcg/21 mcg. You take the drug twice per day, about 12 hours apart.

Your doctor can tell you more about your Advair Diskus or Advair HFA inhaler dosage and how to use the drug.

Dosage for COPD in adults

Advair Diskus is the only form of Advair used to manage COPD symptoms. The typical dosage for adults is 1 puff of 250 mcg/50 mcg twice per day, about 12 hours apart.

The typical Advair dosage for children depends on the form they use (Advair Diskus or Advair HFA). Both forms are used to treat asthma. (Advair is not approved to treat COPD in children.)

If you have questions about using either form of Advair for your child, talk with their doctor or pharmacist.

Advair Diskus dosage for asthma in children

Advair Diskus is used in children ages 4 years and older with asthma.

  • The recommended dose for children ages 4 to 11 years is 1 puff of 100 mcg/50 mcg. They’ll take 1 puff twice per day, about 12 hours apart.
  • The recommended dose for children ages 12 years and older is 1 puff at a strength of 100 mcg/50 mcg, 250 mcg/50 mcg, or 500 mcg/50 mcg. They’ll take 1 puff twice per day, about 12 hours apart. The starting dose and maximum dose are based on the severity of the child’s asthma symptoms.

Advair HFA dosage for asthma in children

Advair HFA is used in children ages 12 years and older. The recommended dose is 2 puffs in a strength of 45 mcg/21 mcg, 115 mcg/21 mcg, or 230 mcg/21 mcg. They’ll take 2 puffs twice per day, about 12 hours apart.

Your child’s doctor will determine what their starting dose and maximum dose should be based on the severity of their asthma symptoms.

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage of Advair based on:

  • the severity of your symptoms
  • the condition being treated
  • if you’re taking other drugs that might interact with Advair
  • if you have serious liver disease

When you first start Advair treatment, your doctor will see how effective the drug is for you. They may adjust your dosage if needed to make sure you’re getting the desired benefits of the drug.

If you miss a dose of Advair, skip that dose and take your next dose at its regular scheduled time. You should not take two doses of Advair to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could cause serious side effects.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Advair on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to use the form of Advair you’re prescribed. The manufacturer also provides step-by-step instructions for Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.

If you have questions about how to use Advair, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long do you use Advair?

Advair is typically a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Advair is safe and effective for you, it’s likely you’ll use it long term.

Do not use more Advair than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an Advair overdose can include:

What to do in case you use too much Advair

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Advair. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Q:

Is one form of Advair (Diskus or HFA) better than the other for treating asthma?

Anonymous

A:

Advair Diskus and Advair HFA contain the same active ingredients: fluticasone propionate and salmeterol.

Both Advair Diskus and Advair HFA have been found to be effective for treating asthma. And guidelines from the Global Initiative for Asthma don’t recommend one form over the other. So neither form has been proven to be better than the other for treating asthma.

Besides being approved for use in slightly different ages in children, the main difference between Advair HFA and Advair Diskus for treating asthma is whether the drug comes as an aerosol or a powder for inhalation. This difference in form is why the two drugs have different strengths. It doesn’t mean that one form is “stronger” or better than the other.

If you have other questions about how Advair Diskus and Advair HFA compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.