Fluticasone Medication - Uses & Side Effects

GENERIC NAME: fluticasone propionate and salmeterol oral inhaler

BRAND NAME: Advair Diskus

Fluticasone belongs to a group of drugs known as inhalation corticosteroids, which are cortisonelike medicines. They are used to help prevent the symptoms of asthma. It works by decreasing swelling and irritation in the airways to allow for easier breathing. It is sprayed into the nose to help relieve the stuffy or runny nose, irritation, sneezing, and discomfort of hay fever, other nasal allergies, and these symptoms when not caused by allergies. It is practically insoluble in water, freely soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide, and slightly soluble in methanol and 95% ethanol. Advair Diskus contains a combination of salmeterol, a bronchodilator of the beta-2 agonist type, and fluticasone propionate, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid. It is marketed with the brand name flixotide and flixonase by Allen & hanburys and flovent and flonase by glaxosmithkline.

Fluticasone Dosage:

• Patients should use Flonase Nasal Spray at regular intervals for optimal effect.
• The recommended starting dosage in adults is 2 sprays (50 mcg of fluticasone propionate each) in each nostril once daily (total daily dose, 200 mcg). After the first few days, patients may be able to reduce their dosage to 100 mcg (1 spray in each nostril) once daily for maintenance therapy.
• The recommended dosage for children (4 years of age or older in US, but only from 12 years in UK) is 50 micrograms (one spray) into each nostril once daily.

Uses of Fluticasone:

• Medications used in treating asthma include those that open airways, called bronchodilators, and those that reduce inflammation.
• It is also used as a cream or ointment for the treatment of eczema and psoriasis ( Cutivate UK).
• Fluticasone helps to prevent asthma attacks but it will not work to stop an asthma attack that has already started.
• This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Fluticasone:

Some common side effects reported with this medicine include:

• Sore throat, cough, fever, chills, or other signs of infection.
• Burning or tingling in hands, feet, arms, or legs.
• Muscle weakness.
• Irregular menstruation (periods).
• Musculoskeletal pain.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Headaches occur in about 1 in 8 patients who use it.
• Diarrhea,nausea and vomiting.
• Chest pain or tightness.
• Red or fluid filled bumps on skin.
• Mouth or throat candidiasis.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

Warnings and precautions before taking Fluticasone:

• Do not use after the expiration date on the package or 30 days after removing the foil wrapper.
• Before using fluticasone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, or if you have any other allergies.
• Call your doctor if you have an asthma attack that does not stop when you use your fast acting asthma medication, or if you need to use more of your fast acting medication than usual.
• Avoid getting fluticasone in your eyes.
• Tell your doctor immediately if you experience unusual weakness, weight loss, or dizziness.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluticasone, call your doctor.
• Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered.

Drug Interaction:

• Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
• Caution should be exercised when Flonase Nasal Spray is coadministered with ketoconazole and other known potent cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g., tranylcypromine) and tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline ) may increase the effect of salmeterol on the heart and blood pressure.
• Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Overdose:

• If you are taking fluticasone and after taking you feel that the overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately.
• In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
• Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
• Symptoms of an fluticasone overdose may include: enlarged face and neck, new or worsening acne, irregular menstrual periods, weight loss and irritability.
• If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.