Does Advair (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol) contain a corticosteroid?

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Does Advair Contain a Steroid?

Yes, Advair contains fluticasone propionate, which is an inhaled corticosteroid (steroid). 1, 2

Composition of Advair

Advair is a fixed-dose combination inhaler containing two active medications:

  • Fluticasone propionate – a synthetic corticosteroid with potent anti-inflammatory activity 1, 2
  • Salmeterol – a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) bronchodilator 1, 2

Steroid Component Details

Fluticasone propionate is a trifluorinated corticosteroid that exhibits binding affinity for the human glucocorticoid receptor 18 times greater than dexamethasone, almost twice that of beclomethasone-17-monopropionate, and over 3 times that of budesonide. 1

  • The corticosteroid component treats the underlying inflammatory process in asthma by acting on multiple cell types (mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes) and mediators (histamine, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, cytokines) involved in airway inflammation 1

Available Strengths

Advair Diskus is available in three strengths, all containing a fixed 50 mcg dose of salmeterol combined with varying doses of the steroid fluticasone propionate:

  • 100/50 mcg (100 mcg fluticasone propionate + 50 mcg salmeterol) 1, 2
  • 250/50 mcg (250 mcg fluticasone propionate + 50 mcg salmeterol) 1, 2
  • 500/50 mcg (500 mcg fluticasone propionate + 50 mcg salmeterol) 1, 2

Clinical Rationale for the Combination

The combination addresses both the inflammatory and bronchoconstrictive components of asthma by delivering anti-inflammatory corticosteroid therapy together with long-acting bronchodilation in a single inhaler. 2, 3

  • Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting beta2-agonists is recommended as the most effective treatment for moderate persistent asthma (step 3 care) 4
  • Long-acting beta2-agonists cannot substitute for inhaled corticosteroids and must always be used in combination with a steroid component 4, 5

Important Safety Consideration

The FDA requires a black-box warning on all LABA-containing products (including Advair) mandating that LABAs must never be used as monotherapy without an inhaled corticosteroid, as LABA monotherapy increases the risk of severe exacerbations and asthma-related death. 5, 6

References

4
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

5
Guideline

Risks of Inappropriate Switch from Budesonide/Formoterol to Albuterol Monotherapy

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

6
Guideline

SMART (Maintenance & Reliever) Therapy with Budesonide/Formoterol Is Preferred for Asthma Management

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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