Fluticasone and salmeterol Inhalation, oral/nebulization and Prothrombin Complex Concentrate

• Generic Name: fluticasone / salmeterol
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, AirDuo RespiClick, Wixela Inhub

Fluticasone and salmeterol is a combination of two medicines that are used to help control the symptoms of asthma and improve breathing. It is used when a patient's asthma has not been controlled sufficiently on other asthma medicines, or when a patient's condition is so severe that more than one medicine is needed every day. Fluticasone and salmeterol will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.

Fluticasone and salmeterol is also used to treat air flow blockage and reduce the worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Inhaled fluticasone belongs to the family of medicines known as corticosteroids or steroids (cortisone-like medicines). It works by preventing certain cells in the lungs and breathing passages from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms.

Inhaled salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator. Bronchodilators are medicines that are breathed in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. It relieves cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

Fluticasone and salmeterol must be used with a short-acting medicine (eg, albuterol) for an asthma attack or asthma symptoms that need attention right away.

Fluticasone and salmeterol is available only with your doctor's prescription.

• Generic Name: prothrombin complex
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Kcentra

Used for the urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonist (e.g., warfarin) anticoagulation in adults with acute major bleeding; designated an orphan drug by FDA for this use.

Rapidly restores vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors that are depleted by warfarin therapy.

Use in conjunction with vitamin K (phytonadione) to maintain adequate levels of coagulation factors once the effects of prothrombin complex concentrate (human) have diminished.

Experts generally consider PCCs such as prothrombin complex concentrate (human) (Kcentra) to be a reasonable (and in some cases, preferred) alternative to fresh frozen plasma for the urgent reversal of anticoagulation in patients with warfarin-induced bleeding. May provide some advantages over plasma including more rapid INR reduction, reduced drug preparation time, reduced risk of anaphylaxis and transmission of infectious pathogens, and lower drug volumes (which may be beneficial in patients with fluid restrictions).

Not indicated for the urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonist anticoagulation in patients without acute major bleeding.