Flovent is a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation in the airways to help control asthma. Advair is a combination of the same corticosteroid in Flovent (fluticasone) and a bronchodilator called salmeterol. Bronchodilators relax the muscles around the airways to relieve asthma symptoms like wheezing and coughing.

So, Flovent is the steroid fluticasone.

Advair is a combination salmeterol/fluticasone.

Neither one of them is fast-acting. They're designed to help prevent asthma attacks and prevent damage to your lungs. Usually you would take Advair or Flovent twice a day (12-hours apart), but you should always follow your doctor's instructions.

If you're having breathing trouble, neither Flovent nor Advair is going to relieve your problem right away. For fast relief, you may need a short-acting bronchodilator, such as Xopenex. You should talk to your doctor about that and treatment for your condition.