Fluticasone (By Breathing)

Fluticasone (floo-TIK-a-sone)

Prevents asthma attacks.

Brand Name(s):

Flovent, Flovent Rotadisk
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to fluticasone. This medicine is not to be used during an asthma attack.

How to Use This Medicine:

Powder Under Pressure, Liquid Under Pressure

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Flovent® is a liquid that is inhaled with a device called a metered-dose inhaler. The inhaler fits on the medicine canister and turns the medicine into a fine spray that you breathe in through your mouth and to your lungs. You may be told to use a spacer, which is a tube that is placed between the inhaler and your mouth. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler and the spacer (if needed).
• Flovent Rotadisk® is a powder that is inhaled with a device called a Diskhaler®. Four measured doses of the powder are held in a foil blister package that is placed into the Diskhaler®. The Diskhaler® pierces each blister one at a time to load the correct dose into the chamber when you are ready to use the medicine.
• Shake the Flovent® metered-dose inhaler before using it. Avoid spraying this medicine into your eyes. Test spray in the air before using for the first time or if the inhaler has not been used for a while.
• Flovent® and Flovent Rotadisk® both come with patient instructions about how to use the inhaler devices. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to use the inhaler.
• Rinse your mouth out with water after inhaling this medicine.
• Carefully follow the patient instructions about cleaning and caring for your inhaler.
• Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Do not poke holes in the Flovent® canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking ketoconazole (Nizoral®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have any type of infection, especially a lung infection such as tuberculosis (TB), or herpes infection of the eye.
• This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute asthma attack.
• If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.
• You may get infections more easily while using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have been exposed to someone with chickenpox or measles.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose
• Sores or white patches in your mouth or throat
• Worsening of asthma symptoms

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Hoarseness or changes in your voice
• Muscle or joint pain
• Stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.