Brand Name(s): Flovent Rotadisk
Generic Name Fluticasone Powder for Oral Inhalation
What is fluticasone inhalation powder?
FLUTICASONE inhalation powder (Flovent® Rotadisk® with Diskhaler®) is a corticosteroid for treating respiratory problems due to asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. Fluticasone is intended for regular use. It will not cure your condition, but can help to reduce asthmatic symptoms. Fluticasone will not relieve an acute asthma attack. Fluticasone can be used along with other inhaled or oral asthma or lung medications. A generic fluticasone inhalation powder is not yet available.
NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
•infection, especially fungal infection
•an unusual or allergic reaction to fluticasone, lactose, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
If you are also using a bronchodilator aerosol (such as albuterol) use that inhaler first. Wait a few minutes before using fluticasone.
Fluticasone inhalation powder is for regular inhalation through the mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Open and prepare mouthpiece of the Diskhaler® device and load Flovent Rotadisk® activate the first dose (see package instructions). Holding the Diskhaler® mouthpiece level to, but away from, the mouth, breathe out as much air as is comfortable. Do not breathe into the mouthpiece! Next, place the device mouthpiece loosely between your open lips and over your tongue, keeping the device level with your mouth. Slowly breathe the dose in. Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds and then exhale (breathe out). If you are using more than one dose, wait a minute between inhalations and repeat the above procedure. Gargle or rinse your mouth with water after the last dose; do not swallow the water. Use your inhaler at regular intervals. Do not use more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. Children of ages 4 and up have used fluticasone inhalations for the treatment of asthma.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose and continue with your regular schedule, spacing doses evenly. Inhaled corticosteroids work best when taken regularly. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with fluticasone?
•ketoconazole
•ritonavir
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before starting or stopping any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from using fluticasone?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•abdominal pain
•chest pain
•coughing, hoarseness
•dizziness or lightheadedness
•fever or chills
•skin rash and itching (hives)
•sore mouth, with white curd-like patches in the mouth or throat
•troubled breathing or wheezing
•unusual swelling
•unusual tiredness or weakness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•coughing, hoarseness, throat irritation
•dry mouth
•flushing
•loss of taste, or unpleasant taste
What should I watch for while taking fluticasone?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Carry an identification card with your name, the type and dose of corticosteroid you are taking, and your prescriber's name and address. It can take up to 2 weeks before you see the full effect of fluticasone.
Check with your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve with fluticasone inhalation, or if they get worse. If you find that you are using your short-acting inhalers (such as albuterol) more than normal or they are not as effective in treating your symptoms, you should contact your health care professional as soon as possible. You may need a change of therapy or may be having an increase in your asthma. Do not stop using fluticasone except on your prescriber's advice.
If you are transferred from steroid tablets taken by mouth to steroid inhalations, you may need additional doses of steroid tablets during periods of stress. Do not use extra fluticasone inhalations unless instructed to do so by your prescriber. Always follow your prescriber's advice.
Your Diskhaler® device has a dose counter and will tell you when only a few doses are left in your prescription. Using your inhalers regularly as prescribed will help control your symptoms; try not to run out of your medications. It is recommended that you keep an extra refill of your fluticasone inhaler and other inhalers on hand in case you need them.
If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are using fluticasone.
Avoid becoming exposed to the measles or chickenpox. Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.
People who are taking certain dosages of fluticasone may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines or may need to have changes in their vaccination schedules to ensure adequate protection from certain diseases. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking fluticasone before receiving any vaccine.
The Diskhaler® device should not be washed while it contains the Rotadisk® medication disk. You will need to keep it dry. To avoid the spread of infection, the Diskhaler® device should not be used by more than one person. Replace the Diskhaler® inhaler device used with the Flovent® Rotadisk® medication every 6 months.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date. When you open up your new Rotadisk® package, it will expire 2 months from the date it is opened. On the Rotadisk® device there is a "USE BY" label. Write the date that your medication will expire on the label when you open it.
| Available at: www.DrugDigest.org | Last Updated:03/10/2006 |
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