Drug Name

Flovent (Fluticasone Propionate)

Drug Uses

Flovent Oral Inhaler is used for preventing or reducing the frequency and seriousness of bronchial asthma attacks. Flovent does not help during an acute asthma attack.

How to use

Use Flovent Oral Inhaler as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Flovent Oral Inhaler. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• If needed, prime the inhaler according to the directions in the extra patient leaflet.
• For best results, the canister should be at room temperature before use.
• Before using Flovent Oral Inhaler, be sure that the canister is properly placed in the inhaler unit. Shake well before each use. Breathe out slowly and completely. Place the mouthpiece between your lips and try to rest your tongue flat, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. Your doctor may have told you to hold the inhaler 1 or 2 inches (2 or 3 centimeters) away from the open mouth or 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. This will release a dose of Flovent Oral Inhaler. Continue breathing in slowly and deeply and hold for as long as comfortable, then breathe out slowly through pursed lips or your nose. If more than 1 inhalation is to be used, wait a few minutes and repeat the above steps. Keep the spray away from your eyes.
• After inhaling, rinse your mouth with water without swallowing.
• 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.
• Continue to use Flovent Oral Inhaler even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Flovent is a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammatory reactions in the airways in response to allergens and irritants in the air.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Flovent Oral Inhaler, 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.

Storage

Store Flovent between 39 and 86 degrees F (4 and 30 degrees C). Keep Flovent Spray out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Flovent if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Flovent;
• you are having a severe asthma attack requiring quick relief

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Flovent. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have active or inactive tuberculosis or a positive skin test for tuberculosis
• if you have infections of the respiratory tract, untreated fungal or bacterial infections, parasitic or viral infections, measles, chickenpox, herpes simplex in or around the eye, or recently received a vaccination
• if you have diarrhea
• if you have glaucoma or cataracts

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Flovent. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Certain medicines that act on the liver (eg, protease inhibitors [eg, ritonavir], ketoconazole) because they may increase the actions and side effects of Flovent

Possible Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Flonase: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe or ongoing nose bleed;
• sores in the nose that won't heal;
• vision problems; or
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious Flonase side effects may include:

• headache, back pain;
• minor nose bleed;
• menstrual problems, loss of interest in sex;
• sinus pain, cough, sore throat; or
• sores or white patches inside or around your nose.

More Information

Flovent is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.