Advair (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol) is a brand-name prescription medication. It comes in two inhaler forms called Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Advair Diskus comes as a powder inhaler, and Advair HFA comes as a spray inhaler.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Advair to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Specifically:

  • Advair Diskus is approved to:
    • treat asthma in adults and in children ages 4 years and older
    • reduce COPD symptoms and flare-ups in adults
  • Advair HFA is approved to treat asthma in adults and in children ages 12 years and older

Advair Diskus and Advair HFA contain the same active ingredients, fluticasone propionate (a corticosteroid) and salmeterol (a long-acting beta 2-agonist).

Advair Diskus is available in a generic version. Advair HFA is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available as a generic version.

Dosage summary

The following chart summarizes Advair’s dosages. (Each dose is called a “puff.”) Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.

DrugFormStrengthsTypical dosage for asthmaTypical dosage for COPD
Advair Diskusinhalation powder• 100/50 microgram (mcg)
• 250/50 mcg
• 500/50 mcg		one puff twice per dayone puff twice per day
Advair HFAinhalation spray• 45/21 mcg
• 115/21 mcg
• 230/21 mcg		two puffs twice per daynot approved for COPD

For information about the dosage of Advair, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Advair, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Advair provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Advair, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about Advair’s recommended dosages.

Advair forms

Advair comes in two inhaler forms called Advair Diskus and Advair HFA. Advair Diskus comes as a powder inhaler, and Advair HFA comes as a spray inhaler.

Advair strengths

Advair Diskus comes in the following strengths per puff:

  • 100/50: 100 micrograms (mcg) fluticasone propionate and 50 mcg salmeterol
  • 250/50: 250 mcg fluticasone propionate and 50 mcg salmeterol
  • 500/50: 500 mcg fluticasone propionate and 50 mcg salmeterol

Advair HFA comes in the following strengths per puff:

  • 45/21: 45 mcg fluticasone propionate and 21 mcg salmeterol
  • 115/21: 115 mcg fluticasone propionate and 21 mcg salmeterol
  • 230/21: 230 mcg fluticasone propionate and 21 mcg salmeterol

Typical dosages

Typically, your doctor will start your treatment with a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for asthma in adults

Advair Diskus and Advair HFA are approved to treat asthma in adults. Below is information about the drugs’ typical dosages for this use.

Advair Diskus dosage for asthma

The typical dosage of Advair Diskus for this use is one puff twice per day.

Depending on the severity of your asthma, your doctor may prescribe you a certain dosage strength. This may include the 100/50 mcg, 250/50 mcg, or 500/50 mcg strengths.

The maximum dose of Advair Diskus for this use is one puff of the 500/50 mcg strength, taken twice per day.

Advair HFA dosage for asthma

The typical dosage of Advair HFA for this use is two puffs twice per day.

Depending on the severity of your asthma, your doctor may prescribe you a certain dosage strength. This may include the 45/21 mcg, 115/21 mcg, or 230/21 mcg strengths.

The maximum dosage of Advair HFA for this use is two puffs twice per day of the 230 mcg/21 mcg strength.

Dosage for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults

The typical dosage of Advair Diskus for COPD in adults is one puff twice per day. The recommended dosage strength for this use is 250/50 mcg.

The maximum dosage of Advair Diskus for this use is one puff twice per day of the 250/50 mcg strength.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration has not approved Advair HFA for use in adults with COPD.

Pediatric dosing

Advair Diskus and Advair HFA are approved to treat asthma in children. Below is information about the drugs’ typical dosages for this use.

Advair Diskus dosage for asthma

The typical dosage of Advair Diskus for children ages 12 to 18 years old with asthma is one puff twice per day. Your child’s doctor will prescribe either the 100/50 mcg, 250/50 mcg, or 500/50 mcg dosage strength for this use. This depends on the severity of your child’s asthma.

The typical dosage of Advair Diskus for children ages 4 to 11 years old with asthma is one puff twice per day. Your child’s doctor will prescribe the 100/50 mcg dosage strength for this use.

Advair HFA dosage for asthma

The typical dosage of Advair HFA for children ages 12 to 18 years old with asthma is two puffs twice per day. Your child’s doctor will prescribe either the 45/21 mcg, 115/21 mcg, or 230/21 mcg dosage strength for this use. This depends on the severity of your child’s asthma.

Long-term treatment

Advair is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Advair is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Advair’s dosage.

I’m switching from Symbicort to Advair. What dose conversion might my doctor prescribe?

The dose conversion that your doctor prescribes will depend on certain factors. These include your current dosage of Symbicort and the condition you’re taking the drug to treat. Your doctor will determine the equivalent dose of Advair that’s right for you. They’ll also advise how to take your Advair dosage.

To learn more about what your dose conversion will be with Advair, talk with your doctor.

How many Advair doses per inhaler are there?

For Advair Diskus, there are 60 doses per Diskus inhaler. For Advair HFA, there are either 60 doses or 120 doses, depending on the canister size. Each dose is also called a “puff.” Advair Diskus and Advair HFA have a counter that tells you how many doses are left in the device.

If you have questions about how many doses your Advair inhaler comes with or how many doses are left, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Advair dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Advair to treat
  • the form of Advair you’re prescribed
  • your age

You should take Advair according to your doctor’s instructions.

You’ll take your Advair Diskus or Advair HFA dose as inhalations (puffs). The drugs contain the same active ingredients. However, they come in different types of inhalers. Advair Diskus is a powder inhaler that you breathe in deeply. Advair HFA is an aerosol that delivers a spray of medication as you press down on the top of the canister.

Your doctor will show you how to use your inhaler correctly. You can also view the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use Advair Diskus or Advair HFA.

Be sure to always rinse your mouth with water after taking a dose of Advair. After rinsing, spit out the water. Do not swallow it. Rinsing each time will help reduce your risk for thrush (a fungal infection in your mouth and throat). (Thrush is a side effect of Advair. To learn more, see this article.)

Advair is typically taken twice per day. It’s best to take your doses about 12 hours apart, around the same times each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Advair can work effectively.

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

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you miss a dose of Advair Diskus or Advair HFA, skip that dose. Wait and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take more than one Advair dose at a time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects. (To learn more about side effects of Advair, see this article.)

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, 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.

If you use more Advair than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you don’t use more Advair than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Advair can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Advair or accidentally take extra doses

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much drug. This includes if you accidentally take two or more doses of Advair. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Advair for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Advair without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Advair that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Advair. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

  • More about Advair. For information about other aspects of Advair, refer to this article.
  • Side effects. To learn about side effects of Advair, see this article. You can also look at the prescribing information for Advair Diskus and Advair HFA.
  • Drug comparison. To find out how Advair compares with Wixela, read this article. And for information about how Advair compares with Symbicort, see this article.
  • Details about your condition. For details about your condition, see our COPD hub or asthma and allergies hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.