Flovent (Fluticasone)

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Fluticasone (Flovent) is an inhaled corticosteroid generally used to prevent breathing difficulties, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing caused by asthma. It works by decreasing any swelling and irritation in the airways making it easier to breathe. It is NOT used in cases of acute bronchospasm. Flovent is also used in the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) because it acts locally on the esophagus to heal the affected areas

How should it be used?

  • Flovent is inhaled by mouth, and can be used by patients aged 4 years and older.
  • It is usually inhaled twice a day around the same times each day.
  • Individuals will start to feel relief at different times. It may take 1 to 2 weeks or longer after starting treatment to feel the benefits of this medicine.
  • Continue to use Flovent even if you feel well. Do not stop using it without talking to your doctor.

Directions

  • Do not use a spacer.
  • Wait 30 minutes to eat or drink.
  • Rinse your mouth after taking the medication. DO NOT swallow the water. Spit it out. The medication needs to work on the esophagus and if you swallow water or juice directly after taking the medication, it will wash the medication away from the affected areas.
  • For younger child who cannot use the inhaler properly, you can spray the Flovent on the top of some juice (one teaspoon) and have the child swallow the juice. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes.

Follow these directions:

  • Prime the inhaler as instructed by the manufacturer.
  • Shake Flovent canister for 5 seconds.
  • Remove cap from the mouthpiece.
  • Breathe out through your mouth.
  • Hold the inhaler facing you with the mouthpiece on the bottom. Place your thumb under the mouthpiece and your index finger on the top of the canister. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close lips around it.
  • Breathe in through your mouth. At the same time press down firmly on the top of the canister releasing one dose of the medication.
  • At the end of your breath, swallow so the medication will reach your esophagus.
  • If possible, hold your breath for up to 10 seconds.
  • Repeat steps to give a second dose.

Special Precautions / Instructions

Tell your doctor about all the medications (including over-the-counter), vitamins, herbal products, and supplements that you take before beginning this medication.

If you are taking any of the following medications, please tell you doctor before starting Flovent:

amiodarone (Cordarone) antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir) and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone; hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, injections, or implants); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); paroxetine (Paxil);troleandomycin (TAO); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and zafirlukast (Accolate).

Contraindications

Before starting Flovent, tell you doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of Flovent HFA.
  • Primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episodes of asthma where intensive measures are required.

The pharmaceutical company cannot assure the correct amount of medication in each inhalation after the counter reads “000” even though the canister is not completely empty. Once the inhaler counter reads “000,” it should be discarded.

Side Effects

Flovent may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • headache
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • difficulty speaking
  • sore or irritated throat
  • painful white patches in the mouth or throat

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • new or increased acne (pimples)
  • easy bruising
  • enlarged face and neck
  • growth of hair on the face
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • extreme tiredness
  • muscle weakness
  • irregular menstruation (periods)
  • pink or purple stretch marks on the skin
  • hives
  • rash
  • itching
  • swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • hoarseness
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • chest pain or tightness
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • red or fluid filled bumps on skin
  • burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in arms or legs

Local and systemic corticosteroid use may result in the following:

  • Candida albicans infection
  • Immumosuppression
  • Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression
  • Reduction in bone mineral density
  • Growth effects
  • Glaucoma and cataracts

Storage Conditions

Store medication with the mouthpiece down, at room temperature, away from heat, moisture (not in the bathroom), and direct light. Keep this medication, and all medications, out of reach of children.

Emergency / Overdose

Call the national poison control center 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1 in the event of an overdose. If the person is not breathing or has collapsed, contact local emergency services 911.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness has been evaluated and established in pediatric patients aged 4 – 11 years. The types of adverse reactions seen in children aged 4 – 11 years were similar to those in adolescent and adult patients.

Flovent Ingredients

The active ingredient in Flovent is: fluticasone propionate, a glucocorticoid having the chemical name S-(fluoromethyl)6?,9-difluoro-11?,17-dihydroxy-16?-methyl-3-oxoandrosta-1,4-diene-17?-carbothioate, 17-propionate.

Inactive ingredients are: microcrystalline suspension of fluticasone propionate (micronized) in a mixture of 2 chlorofluorocarbon propellants (trichlorofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane) with soya lecithin.

Additional Information

Additional information may be found at: us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_flovent_hfa.pdf

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