MedlinePlus Drug Information: Fluticasone Oral Inhalation

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Other drug names:	A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9

Fluticasone Oral Inhalation

(floo tik' a sone)

Brand name(s): Flovent; Flovent Rotadisk

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? What special precautions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?	What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? What other information should I know?

IMPORTANT WARNING:

If you are switching (or have recently switched) from an oral corticosteroid (betamethasone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, or prednisone) to fluticasone oral inhalation and have an injury, infection, or severe asthma attack, use a full dose (even if you have been gradually decreasing your dose) of oral corticosteroid and call your doctor for additional instructions.Carry an identification card that indicates that you may need to use supplementary doses (write down the full dose you took before gradually decreasing it) of the corticosteroid during periods of stress (injuries, infections, and severe asthma attacks). Ask your pharmacist or doctor how to obtain this card. List your name, medical problems, drugs and dosages, and doctor's name and telephone number on the card.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Fluticasone, a corticosteroid, is used to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing caused by severe asthma and other lung diseases.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Fluticasone comes as an aerosol to inhale by mouth or powder-filled disks to place in a special inhaler and inhale by mouth. It is usually used twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take fluticasone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.Fluticasone controls the symptoms of asthma but does not cure it. It may take 2 weeks or longer before you receive the full benefit of fluticasone. Continue to use fluticasone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking fluticasone without talking to your doctor.

Before you use fluticasone for the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to demonstrate the proper technique. Practice using the inhaler while in his or her presence.

To use the aerosol inhaler, follow these steps:

Shake the inhaler well.
Remove the protective cap.
Exhale (breathe out) as completely as possible through your nose while keeping your mouth shut.
Open Mouth Technique: Open your mouth wide and place the open end of the mouthpiece about 1-2 inches from your mouth. Closed Mouth Technique: Place the open end of the mouthpiece well into your mouth, past your front teeth. Close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
Take a slow, deep breath through the mouthpiece and, at the same time, press down on the container to spray the medication into your mouth. Be sure that the mist goes into your throat and is not blocked by your teeth or tongue. Adults treating young children may hold the child's nose closed to be sure that the medication goes into the child's throat.
Hold your breath for 5-10 seconds, remove the inhaler, and exhale slowly through your nose or mouth. If you take two puffs, wait 2 minutes and shake the inhaler well before taking the second puff.
Replace the protective cap on the inhaler.After each treatment with either the aerosol or the powder inhaler, rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash.If you have difficulty getting the medication into your lungs, a spacer (a special device that attaches to the inhaler) may help; ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist.

Your diskhaler comes with special patient instructions that include pictures. Be sure to read this patient information carefully before using your diskhaler.
Make sure that the window has a number in it. A full diskhaler will have the number 4 in the window.
Keep the diskhaler level. Lift up the back of the lid as far as it will go until it is fully upright. This will pierce the blister pack and make a dose ready to be used. Then close the lid.
Breathe out as far as comfortable.
Keep the diskhaler level and raise it to your mouth. Place the mouthpiece between your teeth and close your lips firmly around it. Do not bite down. Do not cover the small air holes on either side of the mouthpiece.
Breathe in through your mouth steadily and as deeply as you can.
Hold your breath and remove the diskhaler from your mouth. Continue to hold your breath for up to 10 seconds or as long as comfortable.
Replace the mouthpiece cover.
Get the diskhaler ready for the next dose. Turn the diskhaler to the next number by gently pulling out the tray and pushing in on it once. Do not pierce the blister until you are ready to take the next dose.
Refer to the patient instructions for information on refilling and cleaning your diskhaler.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking fluticasone,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluticasone or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially arthritis medications; aspirin; digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics ('water pills'); estrogens; fluoxetine (Prozac); ketoconazole (Nizoral); oral contraceptives; medication for seizures; rifampin (Rifadin); theophylline; and vitamins.
if you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin), do not use fluticasone without talking to your doctor.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure; mental illness; diabetes; myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; an underactive thyroid gland; or liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluticasone, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking fluticasone.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from fluticasone are not common, they can occur. Tell you doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

dry or irritated throat
cough
difficult or painful speech

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

vision problems
white spots or sores in your mouth
swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
cold or infection that lasts a long time
muscle weakness
increased difficulty breathing
skin rash
tingling of the hands or feet
unusual bleeding or bruising

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. Avoid puncturing the aerosol container, and do not discard it in an incinerator or fire. Keep the rotadisk in the protective packet until you are ready to use it. If you remove the protective covering before the rotadisk is needed, you must use the rotadisk within 2 months. Do not puncture the foil blisters until you are taking a dose using the diskhaler.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Fluticasone is not used for rapid relief of breathing problems. If you do not have another inhaler for prompt relief of breathing difficulties, ask your doctor to prescribe one.If your doctor has prescribed a bronchodilator (a drug to be inhaled for rapid relief of difficult breathing), use it several minutes before you use your fluticasone so that the fluticasone can reach deep into your lungs.

Avoid exposure to chicken pox and measles. This drug can make you more susceptible to these illnesses. If you are exposed to them while using fluticasone, call your doctor. Do not have a vaccination or other immunization unless directed to by your doctor.

Report any injuries or signs of infection (fever, sore throat, pain during urination, or muscle aches) that occur while you are using fluticasone to your doctor.

If your sputum (the matter that you cough up during an asthma attack) thickens or changes color from clear white to yellow, green, or gray, call your doctor; these may be signs of an infection.

Inhalation devices require regular cleaning. Follow the written directions for care and cleaning included with the device. For the oral aerosol inhaler, remove the aerosol container from the mouthpiece once a week, wash the mouthpiece with warm tap water, and dry it thoroughly.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer