Uses
What is inhaled fluticasone used for?
Fluticasone is commonly used as a controller medicine for asthma, a long-term lung disease involving narrow and inflamed airways, which makes it hard to breathe.
Inhaled fluticasone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
See Arnuity Ellipta, Fluticasone nasal, and Fluticasone topical for information on other fluticasone dosage forms.
How does inhaled fluticasone work (mechanism of action)?
People with asthma have ongoing airflow problems in the lungs. Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid that decreases the inflammation of the airways in your lungs, which helps improve airflow and make breathing easier.
How is inhaled fluticasone supplied (dosage forms)?
Inhaled fluticasone is available in the following dosage forms that are inhaled by mouth.
- 44 mcg/actuation inhalation aerosol (HFA inhaler)
- 110 mcg/actuation inhalation aerosol (HFA inhaler)
- 220 mcg/actuation inhalation aerosol (HFA inhaler)
- 50 mcg inhalation powder (Diskus inhaler)
- 100 mcg inhalation powder (Diskus inhaler)
- 250 mcg inhalation powder (Diskus inhaler)
How should I store inhaled fluticasone?
Inhaled fluticasone should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Fluticasone Inhalation Aerosol. Do not expose the inhaler to a heating element, open flame, or temperatures higher than 120 F (49 C), as it may cause the canister to burst. Do not puncture the canister. Store with the mouthpiece in the down position.
Fluticasone Inhalation Powder. Store in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Once it has been removed from the foil, it is only good for 6 weeks (50 mcg strength) or 2 months (100 mcg and 200 mcg strengths) or until the dose counter reaches “0”, whichever happens first.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of inhaled fluticasone?
The most common side effects of inhaled fluticasone are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Infection or swelling in the nose or throat, sore or irritated throat, or common cold symptoms
- Inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses
- Hoarseness
- Oral thrush (see below)
- Cough
- Bronchitis
- Headache
- Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
There may be other side effects of inhaled fluticasone that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of inhaled fluticasone?
While less common, the most serious side effects of inhaled fluticasone are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Inhaled fluticasone may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using inhaled fluticasone and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Oral Thrush. Inhaled fluticasone can cause a fungal infection in your mouth and throat, a condition known as oral thrush or oral candidiasis. To help prevent the risk of thrush, rinse your mouth with water and spit out the water (do not swallow it) after each dose of fluticasone. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms of oral thrush.
- Cracking in the corners of the mouth
- Loss of taste
- Red or white patches in the mouth or throat
- Raised white spots in the mouth or throat
- Pain in the throat
- Hoarseness
Sudden Breathing Problems. Inhaled fluticasone may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) right after you use it, instead of relaxing these muscles. In some cases this can be serious. Stop using inhaled fluticasone and contact your healthcare provider right away if your breathing gets worse instead of better right after using fluticasone.
Eye Problems. Inhaled fluticasone may increase pressure inside the eye and cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. It can also cause cataracts (clouding of the eye lens). It is important to have regular eye exams while using fluticasone. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma or cataracts.
- Loss of vision or vision changes
- Eye pain or redness
- Severe headache or vomiting
- Seeing bright, colorful circles around lights (vision halos)
- Vision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy
Reduced Adrenal Function. Long-term use of inhaled fluticasone can cause your adrenal glands to stop making as much cortisol (the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency. This is especially a concern if you have been taking a corticosteroid by mouth, such as prednisone, and you stop it and switch to inhaled fluticasone. Adrenal insufficiency can get worse if your body is under stress because of fever, surgery, or trauma. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy
- Dizziness
Infection. Inhaled fluticasone can weaken your immune system, making you more likely to get an infection, including a serious infection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of an infection, or if you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles.
- Fever
- Chills
- Feeling tired
- Body aches and pains
- Nausea or vomiting
Weak Bones. Using inhaled fluticasone for a long time may cause the bones to become weaker, leading to reduced bone density (osteopenia). It may also cause a more serious condition called osteoporosis, which can cause bones to break (fracture) more easily. Talk with your healthcare provider about any risk factors you have for weak bones, such as limited ability to move around, family history of weak bones, poor eating habits, long-term use of a corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions or medicine to treat and prevent seizures. If you use inhaled fluticasone, your healthcare provider may monitor your bone density or recommend treatment based on the results. Tell your healthcare provider if you break a bone, and get a bone mineral density test if one is ordered for you.
Slow Growth. Inhaled fluticasone may slow down growth in children and adolescents who are still growing. Talk with the healthcare provider if you have any concerns about how your child is growing.
Immune System Reaction. Rarely, using inhaled fluticasone may increase your risk of developing an immune system reaction. The reaction is sometimes called Churg-Strauss Syndrome or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. You may have high levels of eosinophils, including small masses of immune cells in inflamed tissues, and vasculitis. This is especially a concern if you have been taking a corticosteroid by mouth, such as prednisone, and you stop it and switch to inhaled fluticasone. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Rash
- Worsening breathing problems
- Heart problems
- Pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use inhaled fluticasone?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use inhaled fluticasone.
- Fluticasone
- Flovent Diskus
- Flovent HFA
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific inhaled fluticasone products they stock.
Severe Milk Allergy. People with a severe milk allergy should not use fluticasone inhalation powder.
Sudden Asthma Symptoms. People who are currently having a sudden worsening of symptoms, such as from an asthma attack, should not use inhaled fluticasone to treat these symptoms. Inhaled fluticasone should be used daily to prevent and manage symptoms. Do not use it as a rescue inhaler.
What should I know about inhaled fluticasone before using it?
Do not use inhaled fluticasone unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.
Ask your pharmacist or other healthcare provider to show you how to correctly use and clean your fluticasone inhaler. Follow the “Instructions for Use” that comes with your medicine when using it for the first time.
Fluticasone inhalation aerosol needs to be primed before you use it for the first time, when you have not used it for more than 7 days, or if you drop it. Fluticasone inhalation powder does not need to be primed.
Do not share fluticasone with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep fluticasone out of the reach of children.
If you use other inhaled medicines for your asthma, talk with your healthcare provider about when to use each of them and in what order. Do not stop or change any medicines you take for asthma without talking to your healthcare provider first.
Inhaled fluticasone is a medicine used daily to prevent symptoms. It may take several weeks to see the full benefits of use. Do not change your dose without advice from your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you do not see improvement or if your breathing gets worse after starting to use fluticasone.
Do not use inhaled fluticasone when a quick response to breathing problems is needed. Other inhaled medicines, sometimes called rescue inhalers, should be used to treat sudden symptoms. Get medical help right away if your breathing does not get better after using a rescue inhaler.
If you have not had the vaccine for chickenpox or measles, you should stay away from anyone infected with either of these.
Throw your fluticasone inhalation aerosol away when the dose counter reaches “000”. Do not throw your inhaler in a fire or an incinerator, as the canister could burst.
Fluticasone inhalation powder is only good for 6 weeks (50 mcg strength) or 2 months (100 mcg and 200 mcg strengths) after opening the foil packaging. To help you keep track of this, write the date you open the packaging on the inhaler. Throw your inhaler away when the dose counter reaches “0”.
Shake fluticasone inhalation aerosol for 5 seconds before using it each time. Store it with the cap on the mouthpiece.
Do not use a spacer or chamber device with fluticasone inhalation powder.
Avoid spraying fluticasone in your face or eyes. If you accidentally get some in your eyes, rinse your eyes with water. If your eyes stay red or irritated, call your healthcare provider.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using inhaled fluticasone?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if inhaled fluticasone is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Any allergies, including food allergies
- Liver problems
- Weak bones, such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, or family history of osteoporosis
- Problems with your immune system
- Eye problems, such as blurry vision, glaucoma, or cataracts
- Current infections that have not been treated, including a herpes eye infection
- Have not had or been vaccinated against chickenpox or measles, or if you are around someone with chickenpox or measles
- Tuberculosis
Other Medicines and Supplements. Inhaled fluticasone may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using inhaled fluticasone, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how inhaled fluticasone could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use inhaled fluticasone while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if fluticasone passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use inhaled fluticasone while breastfeeding.
Interactions
Does inhaled fluticasone interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between fluticasone and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect fluticasone.
Does inhaled fluticasone interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using inhaled fluticasone.
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
- A medicine for HIV or AIDS
- A corticosteroid, which is a medicine used for certain inflammatory conditions
- A medicine that suppresses your immune system
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of fluticasone. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with inhaled fluticasone. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much inhaled fluticasone?
If you or someone else has used too much inhaled fluticasone, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of inhaled fluticasone?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose, and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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