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Flovent
(fluticasone)-
In this factsheet:
- How does Flovent work? What will it do for me?
- How should I use Flovent?
- What form(s) does Flovent come in?
- Who should NOT take Flovent?
- What side effects are possible with Flovent?
- Are there any other precautions or warnings for Flovent?
- What other drugs could interact with Flovent?
DIN (Drug Identification Number)
| 02237245 | FLOVENT DISKUS 100µG BLISTER |
| 02237246 | FLOVENT DISKUS 250µG BLISTER |
| 02237247 | FLOVENT DISKUS 500µG BLISTER |
| 02237244 | FLOVENT DISKUS 50µG BLISTER |
| 02244292 | FLOVENT HFA 125µG INHALER |
| 02244293 | FLOVENT HFA 250µG INHALER |
| 02244291 | FLOVENT HFA 50µG INHALER |
How does Flovent work? What will it do for me?
Fluticasone belongs to the class of medications called inhaled corticosteroids, which reduce symptoms and prevent asthma attacks by decreasing inflammation in the lungs and thereby opening the airways.
When used regularly every day, inhaled fluticasone decreases the number and severity of asthma attacks. However, it will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
How should I use Flovent?
The recommended regular daily dose of fluticasone inhalation is that which is the lowest required to control asthma symptoms. The full benefit of this medicine may take 1 to 2 weeks or longer to achieve.
Adults and adolescents over 16 years of age (HFA inhaler and Diskus): The usual dose for adults and adolescents over 16 years of age is 100 µg to 500 µg twice daily (the number of inhalations varies depending on strength of medication used). For people with severe asthma, higher doses up to 1000 µg twice daily may be needed.
Children over 4 years of age (Diskus only): The usual dose for children over 4 years of age is 50 µg or 100 µg twice daily (the number of inhalations varies depending on strength of medication used). Your doctor may tell you to adjust the dose of this medication in order to find one that helps control your asthma symptoms.
Inhaled fluticasone is used to prevent asthma attacks. It is not used to relieve an attack that has already started. For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another medicine. If you do not have another medicine to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your healthcare professional. If your doctor has asked you to use a "reliever" inhaler such as salbutamol or terbutaline with your fluticasone inhaler, you should use the reliever inhaler first, wait several minutes, and then use the fluticasone inhaler. The reliever medication will provide immediate relief of symptoms of asthma attack, while the fluticasone inhalation works to treat and control asthma regularly.
The HFA inhaler should be shaken well before use. In order to get the most medication into the lungs from the inhaled dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist about proper techniques for taking this medication.
Rinsing your mouth and gargling with water after each inhalation can help prevent hoarseness, throat irritation and infection in the mouth caused by candidiasis (a type of yeast infection of the mouth; also known as "thrush"). If you have dentures, they should be cleansed after each dose.
Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is very important that this medication be used exactly as prescribed by the doctor. If you miss a dose of this medication, use it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on with your regular schedule. Do not double-up on doses. Do not stop taking fluticasone inhalation suddenly without talking with your doctor.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
What form(s) does Flovent come in?
Inhalation Aerosol
Each actuation of the pressurized metered-dose inhaler delivers: 50, 125, or 250 µg of fluticasone propionate suspended in propellant HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane). This product does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as the propellant. The 50 µg strength of FLOVENT HFA inhalation aerosol is available in 120 dose containers. The 125 µg and 250 µg strengths of FLOVENT HFA inhalation aerosol are available in 60 and 120 dose containers. FLOVENT HFA inhalation aerosol is a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (MDI) consisting of an aluminum canister fitted with a metering valve. Each canister is fitted into the supplied orange actuator/adaptor. A dust cap is fitted over the actuator's mouthpiece when not in use.
DISKUS
Each inhalation of the dry powder inhalation device delivers: 50, 100, 250, or 500 µg of fluticasone propionate. It also contains lactose (milk sugar), including milk protein, which acts as the "carrier". FLOVENT DISKUS is a plastic inhaler device containing a foil strip with 60 blisters. Each blister contains 50, 100, 250, or 500 µg of the active ingredient fluticasone propionate.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
Who should NOT take Flovent?
This medication should not be used:
- for the primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute asthma conditions
- for people with moderate to severe bronchiectasis
- by anyone allergic to any of the ingredients of the medication
- by anyone with active or inactive untreated pulmonary tuberculosis
- by anyone with untreated fungal, bacterial, or viral infections
- by people with allergies to milk or lactose (in the case of Flovent Diskus® only)
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