Fluticasone Overview

(floo TIK a sone)

Cutivate®; Flonase®; Flovent® Diskus®; Flovent® HFA; Veramyst®

Apo-Fluticasone®; Avamys®; Cutivate™; Flonase®; Flovent® Diskus®; Flovent® HFA; ratio-Fluticasone

Cutivate; Flixonase; Flixotide

Corticosteroid, Inhalant (Oral); Corticosteroid, Nasal; Corticosteroid, Topical

• When switching from an oral steroid to an inhaled one, there can be problems. Symptoms such as weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, inability to think clearly, or low blood sugar may occur. Call healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms. If you have a serious accident and are injured, have surgery, or any type of infection, you may need extra doses of oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these stresses. Carry a warning card saying that you may need extra steroids at certain times.

• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• Do not give Flovent® Diskus® to a child younger than 4 years of age.

• If you have an allergy to fluticasone or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you are allergic to milk, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you are having a breathing attack.

• Fluticasone prevents or reduces irritation and swelling.

• It blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing or preventing the body's reaction to the allergen.

Oral inhalation:

• For inhaling (puffing) only.

• Shake Flovent® HFA well before use.

• A spacer can be used with the Flovent® HFA inhaler for easier delivery.

• Rinse out mouth after each use.

• Do not take Flovent® Diskus® device apart or wash it. Do not use with a spacer. Do not exhale into device.

• Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Read and follow all instructions provided with inhaler. Using the inhaler the right way is very important.

Nasal:

• Do not take this medicine by mouth. For the nose only. Keep out of mouth and eyes (may burn).

• Shake well before use.

• Blow your nose before use.

• Close one nostril.

• Tilt head forward slightly.

• Insert nasal spray tube into other nostril.

• While breathing in, press down once to release spray.

• Breath out through your mouth.

• Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Read and follow all instructions provided with inhaler. Using the inhaler the right way is very important.

Skin:

• Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).

• Wash hands before and after use.

• Clean affected area before use. Make sure to dry well.

• Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub in gently.

• Use a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

• Monitor asthma with peak flow meter.

Oral inhalation:

• Store at room temperature. Do not freeze aerosol.

• Flovent® Diskus®: Throw away any unused portion after 6 weeks or when indicator reads zero, whichever comes first.

• Flovent® HFA: Throw away when indicator reads zero.

• Protect from light.

Nasal:

• Store spray at room temperature. Throw away any unused portion after labeled number of doses are used.

• Store in upright position with the cap on.

Skin:

• Store at room temperature.

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 12:44:32.0

Modified: 2010-04-07 10:16:38.0

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