Product Details: Flovent Inhaler (Fluticasone)

PLEASE NOTE BRAND FLOVENT IS ALSO MARKETED INTERNATIONALLY UNDER THE NAME FLIXOTIDE AND DOES NOT COME WITH A DOSE COUNTER

Brand Name Options - Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline

Description

This medicine is a corticosteroid used to treat asthma. This medicine is also used to prevent asthma attacks. IT WILL NOT STOP an asthma attack once one has started. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. EACH TIME YOU START TO USE A NEW INHALER, turn the canister away from the face and press down into the mouthpiece to release test sprays into the air. This process is called priming and will allow you to be sure the inhaler is working properly. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about priming your inhaler. BEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE, be sure that the canister is properly inserted into the inhaler unit and SHAKE WELL. Exhale slowly and deeply. UNLESS YOUR DOCTOR HAS TOLD YOU OTHERWISE, position the mouthpiece between your lips and try to rest your tongue flat. Your doctor may have told you to hold the inhaler 1 or 2 inches (2 or 3 centimeters) away from the open mouth or may have instructed you to use a special spacing device. As you start to take a slow deep breath, press the canister and mouthpiece together at exactly the same time to administer a dose of this medicine. Continue inhaling slowly and deeply and hold for as long as comfortable, then exhale slowly through pursed lips or through the nose. If more than 1 inhalation is to be used, wait a few minutes and repeat the above process. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. RINSE YOUR MOUTH with water after using this medicine to help prevent mouth sores or bad taste. DO NOT SWALLOW THE RINSE WATER. Spit it out. IF YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY USING THIS MEDICINE or are having side effects like mouth sores or bad taste, ask your doctor or pharmacist about using a spacing device. CLEAN YOUR INHALER at least once a week. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about cleaning your inhaler. KEEP TRACK OF THE NUMBER OF SPRAYS YOU USE and subtract this number from the number of doses in the container. This will help you know when the container is becoming empty. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) with the mouthpiece down, away from heat and direct sunlight. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not puncture, break, or burn the canister even if it appears to be empty. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT use 2 doses at once.

Cautions

THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT STOP AN ASTHMA ATTACK once one has started. IF YOU ARE ALSO USING A BRONCHODILATOR INHALER, be sure to always carry the bronchodilator inhaler with you to use during asthma attacks. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS for this medicine to work. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without checking with your doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. IF YOU HAVE SWITCHED FROM AN ORAL CORTICOSTEROID (such as prednisone tablets) to this inhaler within the past 12 months, your body may not produce enough natural steroids. You may need to start taking additional corticosteroids, especially if your body is stressed due to major infections, surgery, or injury. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific advice regarding stress situations. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following signs of low steroid levels: unusual weakness, sudden weight loss, nausea or vomiting, fainting, severe dizziness, joint or muscle pain, or depression. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD CHICKENPOX OR MEASLES, avoid contact with anyone who has either of these diseases, or who has shingles. Inform your doctor of any recent exposure to contagious diseases such as chickenpox or measles. AVOID GETTING THIS MEDICINE IN YOUR EYES. If you get this medicine in your eyes, rinse them thoroughly with water. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. This medicine may affect your child's growth rate. The effects of long-term use of this medicine on final adult height are not known. Your child's growth should be checked regularly while using this medicine. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dry mouth, hoarseness, irritated throat, headache, diarrhea, stomach upset, dizziness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience vision changes, white patches in your mouth, or muscle pain or tightness. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience breathing problems immediately after using this medicine; fever or chills; increased amount of urine produced; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; chest pain or tightness; numbness or tingling of the arms or legs; or mental/mood changes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or increased trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Active Ingredients

Fluticasone