Flovent Hfa

The recommended regular daily dose of fluticasone inhalation is that which is the lowest required to control asthma symptoms. The full benefit of Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) may take 1 to 2 weeks or longer to achieve.

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 very severe asthma, higher doses up to 1,000 µg twice daily may be needed.

The usual dose for children between 4 and 16 years of age is 100 µg twice daily (the number of inhalations varies depending on strength of medication used). On occasion, a dose of 200 µg may be needed to control asthma symptoms. Your doctor may tell you to adjust the dose of Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) in order to find one that helps control your asthma symptoms.

Children 12 months to 4 years of age may be given 100 µg twice daily, using a spacer device. The dose should be given as a single 50 µg actuation of the HFA inhaler into the spacer device, inhaled, and then repeated. The Diskus form of Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) should not be used by children under the age of 4 years.

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.

Shake the HFA inhaler well before use or before inserting the mouthpiece into the spacer device. In order to get the most medication into the lungs from the inhaled dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist about proper techniques for taking Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh).

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 cleaned 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 Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a 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.

Store the diskus blisters in the sealed foil wrap that it is packaged in, until you are ready to put the disk in the device for use. Store Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) at room temperature, out of direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Protect the inhaler and diskus blisters from freezing. Do not store the diskus in a damp environment.

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.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause an infection of the mouth or throat, known as thrush; it may cause headaches; it may cause nasal irritation or stuffiness; it may irritate your throat; it may cause a sinus infection; it may cause a cough. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Diskus

Each inhalation of the dry powder inhalation device delivers 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. The 50 µg canister is fitted into the supplied peach actuator/adaptor. The 125 µg canister is fitted into the supplied orange actuator/adaptor. The 250 µg canister is fitted into the supplied red/brown actuator/adaptor. A dust cap is fitted over the actuator's mouthpiece when not in use.

Do not use fluticasone if you:

• are allergic to fluticasone or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to milk or lactose (in the case of the diskus only)
• have active or inactive untreated pulmonary Tuberculosis
• have untreated fungal, bacterial, or viral infections
• need treatment for status asthmaticus or other acute asthma conditions

Do not give Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) to children less than 12 months of age.

There may be an interaction between fluticasone and any of the following:

• Aldesleukin
• Aprepitant
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• Baricitinib
• BCG
• beta-2 agonists (e.g., salbutamol, formoterol, terbutaline)
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Crizotinib
• Deferasirox
• Denosumab
• Desmopressin
• diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, Glyburide, insulin, Metformin, Rosiglitazone)
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Metolazone)
• Dronedarone
• echinacea
• Fingolimod
• grapefruit juice
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• hyaluronidase
• Idelalisib
• imatinib
• Leflunomide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• mifepristone
• Natalizumab
• Nivolumab
• Pimecrolimus
• Tacrolimus
• Tofacitinib
• Trastuzumab
• vaccines

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh).

Asthma attacks: Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) is not a "reliever" medication. If you start developing asthma symptoms, be sure to use your reliever medication (such as salbutamol or terbutaline) for rapid relief of your asthma symptoms. It is very important that you have your reliever medication with you at all times. If you persistently use more of your reliever medication, contact your doctor.

Bone effects: Long-term use of corticosteroids such as fluticasone may affect bone density and increase the risk of fracture. Your doctor will monitor your bone health while you are taking Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh).

Diabetes: Fluticasone may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, you may find it necessary to monitor your blood sugar more frequently while using Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh).

Eye problems: If you have glaucoma or cataracts or are at risk of developing them, have your eyes checked by your doctor before starting long-term treatment with Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh). Have your eyes monitored at regular intervals while using Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh).

Growth effects: Long-term use of corticosteroids, including inhaled forms such as Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh), may slow the growth of children and adolescents. It is important to use the lowest effective dose for managing asthma symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Infection: Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh), like other corticosteroids, may prevent the early signs of a serious infection from being noticed. Try to limit the amount of time you spend around others who have recently had infections such as Chickenpox or Measles. If you do come into contact with someone who has one of these infections, contact your doctor for advice.

Oral hygiene: Adequate oral hygiene is very important in minimizing the overgrowth of microorganisms such as candidiasis (thrush). Proper oral hygiene includes rinsing your mouth with water after using the inhaler. Using a spacer device with the inhaler can greatly reduce how much medication stays in your mouth. Thrush infections, should they occur, may require treatment with appropriate antifungal therapy or the discontinuance of treatment with fluticasone, depending on the severity of the infections.

Stopping Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh): Do not stop Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) suddenly, as this may result in withdrawal symptoms associated with suppressed adrenal glands (e.g., stomach discomfort or pain, worsening of asthma). Your doctor will tell you how to gradually lower the dose over a period of time in order to stop Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) properly.

Thyroid problems: People with decreased thyroid function (hypothyroid) may experience an increased effect from corticosteroids. If you have a history of thyroid problems, discuss with your doctor how Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Wheezing: Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) may cause the airways to spasm immediately after using the inhaler. If this happens, use your rescue inhaler as soon as possible to relieve the symptoms, then call your doctor as soon as possible.

Worsening of asthma: Increasing use of your bronchodilators (e.g., salbutamol) to control asthma symptoms is an indication that your asthma may be worsening. Sudden and progressive worsening in asthma control is potentially life-threatening, and consideration should be given to increasing the dose of fluticasone inhalation. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how to properly monitor for symptoms of worsening asthma.

Pregnancy: The safety of fluticasone for use during pregnancy has not been established. Potential benefits need to be weighed against risks, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding: Corticosteroid medications such as fluticasone pass into breast milk. Although the amount that appears in breast milk would likely be low, the benefits of using Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) while breast-feeding need to be weighed against risk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using fluticasone it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Flovent HFA (Fluticasone-propionate-inh) is not recommended for use by children under 12 months of age.

Before using this inhaler for the first time, or if you have not used it for more than a week, prime it (by releasing 2 puffs into the air) to ensure that it works properly. To use this inhaler, follow these steps: Remove the cap and shake the inhaler well with the mouthpiece down. Tilt your head back slightly. Slowly breathe all the way out. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth and close your lips around it -- do not bite it. Start to breathe in, then press down on the canister once, while continuing to breathe in slowly and deeply. Hold your breath for 10 seconds then breathe out slowly. If you have been instructed to use more than one puff, wait 30 seconds before repeating the above steps. If you find it difficult to use this technique, ask your pharmacist for a spacer device; these devices make using an inhaler much easier. Clean your inhaler once a week. This medication is typically used twice a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. Using this product may cause throat irritation and coughing. You can avoid these problems by thoroughly rinsing your mouth and gargling after each dose. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up.