Brand Name
Flovent
Common Name
fluticasone
In this drug factsheet:
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 this medication 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 those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended regular daily dose of fluticasone inhalation is that which is the lowest required to control asthma symptoms. The full benefit of this medication may take 1 to 2 weeks or longer to achieve.
For the 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.
For the 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 1,000 µg twice daily may be needed.
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 medication. If you do not have another medication to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your health care 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.
Many things can affect the dose of a 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 using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
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 this medication come in?
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.
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.
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 this medication?
Fluticasone should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to fluticasone or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- is allergic to milk or lactose (in the case of the diskus only)
- has active or inactive untreated pulmonary tuberculosis
- has moderate to severe bronchiectasis
- has untreated fungal, bacterial, or viral infections
- needs treatment for status asthmaticus or other acute asthma conditions
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