Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that works directly in the lungs to make breathing easier by reducing the swelling and inflammation of the airways. This medication must be used regularly to prevent the wheezing and shortness of breath caused by asthma, bronchitis, or some types of emphysema.

This medication does not work immediately. Therefore, it is not used to relieve an asthma attack. If an asthma attack occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler (e.g., albuterol, salbutamol) as prescribed.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet which contains instructions for proper use of this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Shake the canister well before using. Follow the instructions for test sprays in the air if you are using a canister for the first time or if you have not used it for a week or more. Avoid spraying the medication in your eyes. A fine mist is a sign that the inhaler is properly working.

Inhale this medication by mouth usually twice a day or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. It is recommended that you use a spacer device with this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Follow the detailed instructions for proper use of the inhaler and cleaning of the mouthpiece.

If two inhalations/puffs are prescribed, wait at least one minute between them. If you are using other inhalers at the same time, wait several minutes between the use of each medication, and use this drug (the corticosteroid) last.

To prevent dry mouth, hoarseness and oral yeast infections from developing, gargle and rinse your mouth after each use. Do not swallow the rinse solution.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. This medication works best if used consistently at even intervals. Remember to use it at the same times each day. Do not increase your dose, use this more frequently or stop using this medication without first consulting your doctor.

Keep track of the number of inhalations used from each canister. Discard the canister after you have used the number of inhalations specified on the manufacturer's package.

It may take up to 2 weeks or longer before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Dry or irritated throat, stuffy nose, hoarseness, or coughing may occur as your body adjusts to this drug. A bad taste in the mouth or flu-like symptoms may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: white patches in your mouth or on your tongue, persistent coughing, increased wheezing/trouble breathing.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: vision changes, increased thirst or urination, unusual or persistent headaches, chest pain or discomfort, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, agitation).

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking fluticasone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: tuberculosis, untreated or active infections, herpes infection of the eye, eye disease (glaucoma), decreased adrenal gland function, bone loss (osteoporosis).

If you have switched from an oral corticosteroid (e.g., prednisone tablets) to this inhaler within the past 12 months, or if you have been using this product in higher-than-usual doses and suddenly stop using it, your body may not produce enough natural steroids. You may need to start taking additional corticosteroids, especially if your body is stressed due to a major infection, surgery or injury. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience unusual weakness, weight loss, or dizziness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and inform them that you use (or have used) any type of corticosteroid.

This medication may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing them. Report any signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat/fever/cough) that occur during treatment.

Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles infection while taking this medication. If you are exposed to these infections, seek immediate medical attention.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children. Though it is unlikely to occur with inhaled steroids (fluticasone), this medication may temporarily slow down a child's rate of growth, but it will probably not affect final adult height. Monitor your child's height periodically.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: natalizumab.

If you are currently using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting fluticasone.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: aldesleukin, oral corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone), mifepristone, drugs affecting the removal of fluticasone from your system (potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, ritonavir).

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not share this medication with others.

Learn to use a peak flow meter, use it daily, and tell your doctor promptly if you have signs of worsening asthma (such as readings in the yellow/red range, increased use of quick-relief inhalers). Also tell your doctor immediately if you notice that you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often (4 or more puffs daily for 2 days in a row, or more than 1 canister every 8 weeks).

Make sure all of your doctors know that you are using this medication or have used it in the past.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., cortisol levels, lung function, eye exam, bone density tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

In adults, this medication can increase the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) if used for a long time. Talk with your doctor about your risk, and about available treatments for osteoporosis. Lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of bone loss include doing weight-bearing exercise, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. To help prevent osteoporosis later in life, encourage children to exercise and eat a healthy diet (including calcium).

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C).

Store the medication away from light and moisture. Avoid freezing. Do not puncture or expose this medication to high heat or open flame. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised May 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.