I know beta blockers can cause flareups, but how about certain calcium channel blockers. My asthma has been under control for over 7 years with Flovent and occasional albuterol, but for the past year or so I get regular flare-ups and am on Advair 500/50, nebulizer, rounds of Zmax, but the only thing that works is Predinisone and you know how that is.

As soon as I am off the Prednisone, it flares up again. Previously, I think I had to take Prednisone maybe twice in 7 years.

I have a theory that I am going to discuss with my pulmonologist. I think I began taking Niphedipine at about the same time that these chronic flareups began, in addition to lisinopril, which is also a calcium channel blocker. The difference is that I have taken lisinopril for 20 years now, with no aparent flare-ups. Could there be something in the Niphedipine (Procardia) aside from it being a calcium channel blocker that is causing these flareups?

It certainly looks suspicious to me . . .

It may be the combination of taking Procardia and the lisinopril (which is a angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor). It is usually one or the other plus maybe a diurectic if needed. Why are you on both of these medications at the same time? I take Cardizem LA (calcium channel blocker) and HCTZ (diuretic) for high blood pressure and I have no problems with my asthma.

I would certainly call the doctor and find out if you should really be on these medications at the same time.

Thank you for your response to my posting. I am starting to suspect the culprit here is . . . . the Advair 500/50!

These recurring flare-ups began at about that time I was switched from Flovent, which had done the job for many years. Flovent, as I understand it, does contain fluticasone, but at a lesser dosage, and without the Serevent to amplify its effects.

Can it be that the Advair is causing the constant mucus in the throat and resulting wheezing? Too strong a medication for my condition? I am going to check with my provider and get a pharmacy consultation.

More to come . . . .

Why are you on such a high dosage of Advair. I first started out on 100/50 Advair, and then after a couple of years went to 250/50. You should be on the lowest dosage that gives your results.

Take care.