Fluticasone / salmeterol User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Sis...
• October 2, 2020

"My pharmacist switched me to Wixela because it was less expensive than Advair. Within 2 weeks, my mouth was full of sores. My doctor wrote me a prescription for Advair only. My sores went away. I had been taking Advair for 11 years, at the time my insurance paid enough for only a $10.00 savings when they switched me to Wixela. Now my insurance will not cover to the tune of my cost being $220.00 per month rather than $25.00 per month. Don't want to take the Wixela again. Don't know how I am supposed to pay this much when I have good insurance from my husband's work. But the drug Wixela is being pushed on me now. Horrible."

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2010

For Asthma, Maintenance "If Advair is causing side effects in your mouth and throat, try rinsing and gargling with salt water immediately after using Advair. This simple process has made Advair tolerable. And like my doctor says, 'You must breathe.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2012

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was on Advair for about five years and was able to breathe easily almost immediately after starting it. Before Advair, I used albuterol 6-10 times daily. I used to take the 500/50 Advair only once per day. Using it twice a day didn't make a difference in breathing, so that saved some money. I never had a thrush problem; actually, I never rinsed out my mouth at all. The reason I'm not using it any longer is the HUGE cost. My insurance is no longer covering it, and I cannot afford over $300 for just one Diskus. Am now taking Singulair and am back using the albuterol rescue inhaler 6-7 times a day."

• JFr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I had been taking Advair since it came out and only had problems when I forgot a dose. I switched to Wixela as soon as it came out, it was a $100 per month savings. I am extremely happy with it. I only have problems when I forget a dose. If they add a reminder alarm, I’d probably never have to use my rescue inhaler. I’m 56 and have had asthma since I was 3."

• Thu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2015

For Asthma, Maintenance "Was prescribed Advair two weeks ago and haven't used Albuterol inhaler since. I notice easier breathing immediately and had absolutely no side effects. I don't even taste it but always rinse anyway. Before using Advair, I was using the inhaler about 10 times a day and still was out of breath when I tied my boots. After two days on Advair, I was able to attend a Packers game and walked about a mile to the stadium and another 60 flights of stairs to get to our seats. I would have been dead the week before. I'm hoping I can continue using this medication without getting any side effects. I have my life back and want to keep it that way."

• 24h...
• February 6, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "Forced by insurance to switch from side-effect-free Advair 500/50 to Wixela. At first, I could not figure out why I was nauseous every morning and evening, and it only kept getting worse. After five or six days, the nausea was extreme, and that evening I was vomiting and flu-like twenty minutes after my evening dose. Finally put it together and realized Wixela was not only causing it, but was probably the reason my cough and phlegm level had been worse that week. Of course, my doctor insisted it is 'the same,' and the insurance has denied my request to go back to Advair. This product is NOT the same. Reading the horror stories on here has convinced me that this medication is dangerous. I will be rationing my precious Advair. Cannot afford $400 a month for it. Hopefully, my doc will switch me to something else, but Advair works so well, I am livid."

• Mer...
• December 25, 2014

For Asthma, Maintenance "Age 59, male. After having allergy asthma probably for decades, a wet spring after an ugly winter, and removing moldy insulation, ended me up at the doctors. Started on 100/50. It helped but not enough. Ended up getting 250/50 and have been on since (4 years). It didn't stop the fairly constant post-nasal drip, which was almost constant at night. Got Singulair for that and have taken it ever since (4 years). I'm fine and dandy ever since and can do heavy workouts, etc. Problems: leg cramps, foot cramps, hand cramps. I've always had a few, but they can get ugly. I find drinking water, taking daily multivitamins, and magnesium keeps them at bay. Dry, sensitive mouth = no more medium or hot salsa, etc. Watch your teeth."

• she...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2020

For COPD, Maintenance "Advair Diskus helped my breathing by day two. I loved it at first, other than the cost. By week three, my joints started to hurt, and by the 4th week, I was having some real joint pain. After seeing the doctor and stopping the Advair Diskus, the pain stopped within a few days. This has been a problem for me with some other COPD meds, but this was by far the worst for pain for me."

• Mcs...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 29, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been taking Advair 250/50 for going on 3 years, and I love it! My breathing oxygen level stays in the high 90s, and I haven't made a trip to the ER for not being able to breathe after I started it. Highly recommend it, even though it is pricey."

• lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I'm a 48 years old - never had asthma. Multiple respiratory infections left me wheezing daily. Doc prescribed Albuterol plus Advair. I was scared to start meds and didn't for a few weeks. Wheezing got bad enough I went back to doc, talked about concerns, and they explained the importance of use. I started it in the office 3 weeks ago - I feel so much better now. I didn't realize how bad my breathing was. I haven't needed the Albuterol since. (knocking on wood!) Side effects for me = nervousness for ~ hour after use; intermittent mild throat irritation; increased # of heart palpitations (have had for years). I wish I would have started it sooner."

• Wen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "I ended up going to the ER after taking my first dose due to an adverse reaction. I had trouble swallowing, felt short of breath, tightness in my chest, face flushed, fast heart rate, and numbness and tingling in my fingers."

• SKB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2013

For Asthma, Maintenance "Prescribed Advair Diskus (250/50) twice a day. My blood pressure was 130/80 when I started the medicine, which is about the highest it has ever been. I was not supposed to go back to the doctor for 30 days. But luckily, last night I had my blood pressure checked, it was 151/98-I was shocked! I have only been on the medicine 15 days. Advair probably helped me through my upper respiratory problems, but I think I should have been warned about this side effect."

• Sag...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 5, 2016

For Asthma, Maintenance "Asthma since 26, year-round allergies, Advair and montelukast for years. Feel I'm alive in my 70s because of some smart, caring doctors. Biggest problems-no generic and super expensive now that prices have been raised. Donut hole every year! Used to be more reasonable. Not advised to change since Advair and montelukast work. But can't afford to use 2 times a day as doctor recommends. I think it is Mylan also that raised prices out of seniors' reach. Please help bring the price down again. Thanks. Insurance covers part reasonably than too high in the donut hole."

• AJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was on Breo for about 3 years and was breathing normally. I never had to use my albuterol inhaler. At the beginning of the year, the price of Breo skyrocketed for me, so I decided to try Wixela. It never worked. It started with a sore throat (I am very careful to rinse my mouth and spit out the water after each use). After a few days, the coughing started. I tolerated that only because it was a weekend and I couldn’t call my doctor. I am going back to Breo. I’m so angry that this drug was approved. My scenario was mild compared to what others are going through. Scary stuff."

• eri...
• July 8, 2014

For Asthma, Maintenance "I was prescribed this inhaler for my asthma, and I found it did a good job of bringing my breathing back to normal. However, I also experienced numerous side effects from the medicine, such as very painful leg cramps/spasms that kept me from sleep and, at times, work/school and recurrent bacterial sinus infections (i.e., facial/ear pain, ringing in ears, headache), which I had never had prior to using Advair. I also had a sore throat at times while on this medication, which to me is very minor, and I would have continued use if this was the only side effect. Although it was not a good fit for me, I would recommend this medicine to others who are struggling to control their asthma."

• VLN...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 5, 2015

For Asthma, Maintenance "I had been on Advair for ten years and enjoyed not having asthma attacks, being able to exercise without using a rescue inhaler all of the time. Unfortunately, due to the cost of Advair, my insurance has dropped it from the list of medications they will cover, and I have been switched to another brand. The new one does not work as well."

• ast...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "Wixela is awful. Like many other folks here, my asthma was well controlled with another medication - in my case, a very low-dose Advair. When my insurance forced me to switch to Wixela, it didn't work at all. My doctor increased dosage a couple of times, and still no relief. In these days of Covid, every time I cough, which is all day long, people around me look terrified. (I've tested negative for Covid many times. This is just my asthma.) Why is this Wixela garbage even still on the market? I'd give it a zero rating if that were an option. It does not work."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 17, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have suffered with asthma my entire life, so I am familiar with many drugs used to treat this disease. Advair was prescribed to me 30 years ago, and I have loved it from the beginning. I no longer had to suffer with the jitters and hyper behavior, like all of my prior medications. I take this daily, as prescribed, and have no complaints or awful side effects. Sometimes my breath smells bad as a result, but I can breathe, so I can't really complain. Thank you-now if only I could get my insurance provider to cover it."

• Doo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "Using Wixela 500 for 4 months. Inferior product - shocking that it passed FDA. Mechanism is terribly awkward - difficult to open and hold while pressing down on 'release' handle, particularly with arthritic hands and fingers. Should be redesigned or taken off the market. Not even close in comparison to Advair."

• Mrs...
• April 8, 2013

For Asthma, Maintenance "Been on 250/50 Advair for just over a year. It does great at preventing asthma attacks. I still have congestion and coughing. Despite rinsing my mouth and brushing my teeth after the use of Advair, my voice has become quite hoarse within the last 2 weeks. I'm thinking of switching back to Symbicort. I took Asmanex before taking Symbicort, but it wasn't sufficient to control my asthma."

• Ell...
• March 3, 2010

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been using Advair for about 5 years. When I first noticed my wheezing and coughing, I thought I had a cold, but the doctor said it is bronchial asthma. He started with Prednisone and Advair. I soon felt better. I stopped the Prednisone, and I am on Advair 250/50 since. Recently, I was advised to see a chiropractor. He promised to help take me off all medications and I would be okay. What a mistake? In order for him to do this, I had to stop my Advair, because he said he can't fight with it, I must first stop taking it. The end result was that I spent about $400.00 for twice-a-week visits. I saw no results, on the contrary, my wheezing came back full force, with the tightness of my chest. I had to start all over again with the medications."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "Due to my insurance not wanting to pay for the Advair I’ve been taking for years, I was given Wixela. With Advair, it worked perfectly. With Wixela, I couldn’t walk to my kitchen without being out of breath. I had such a hard time going up a flight of stairs. It didn’t control my COPD at all. I couldn’t function at work, and everyone could hear me breathe. On Advair, no one could suspect I had any breathing issues. Scientifically, it should work, clinically, it did not. Thankfully, my pulmonologist reached out to my insurance company, and I was given Advair again. Wish it worked, it is cheaper."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have COPD and asthma. Wixela makes me cough. When you can't breathe well, trying to breathe in powder is ridiculous. It does not work as well as my Advair HFA did. Walking to the mailbox, maybe 60 feet, I shouldn't have to use my rescue inhaler."

• Coo...
• September 28, 2017

For COPD, Maintenance "On Medicare and hit the donut hole in August. Have to pay $185 for one month. Way too much for something that's helping me breathe. Something I have to have. When is a generic or something affordable coming out?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2022

For Asthma, Maintenance "Previously shared my experience with Wixela on 1 Oct 2022 and wanted to share this update to help others. Had been using Advair for 23 years, and then I was switched to Wixela, which had horrible side effects. Although it is therapeutically equivalent to Advair Diskus, I discovered that it was the fillers used in Wixela that I had a bad allergic reaction to, which actually induced asthma (among other things). I had reported my experience with Wixela to the FDA; they did contact me, and I then gave them an update about the fillers as being the culprit. Tricare/Express Scripts did originally deny a prior authorization for Advair as prescribed, no generic; however, my doctor's office kept up the fight and finally gained approval. I now have my Advair back and am doing well, and I have prior authorization approved for a lifetime."