Fluticasone is used to prevent asthma attacks.
It belongs to a group of medicines called "corticosteroids". Corticosteroids reduce the swelling in the airways of your lungs. This helps relieve chest tightness, wheezing and cough so that you can breathe more easily.
Fluticasone is a preventive asthma medicine which must be used regularly and for a certain period of time.
Use Fluticasone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is available as different types of devices such as inhaler (e.g. dry powder inhaler, metered dose inhaler) or as a suspension for nebulisation which is used together with a machine known as a nebuliser.
Make sure you know how to use the specific device or machine you have been given. If you have problems or do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use it.
Avoid any contact of the suspension for nebulisation or its mist with your eyes. Rinse immediately with water if this medicine accidentally gets into your eyes. Alert your doctor if you start to have any problems with your eyesight.
Always rinse your mouth and throat after administering your dose from your inhaler or nebuliser.
Do not wash or put any part of your inhaler in water. Wipe the mouthpiece of the inhaler with a dry tissue to clean it.
Do not share your inhaler, and the mouthpiece or face mask you use for nebulisation with others as it could spread infection.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition and response to the medication.
Fluticasone must be used regularly for it to be effective. Continue using it even when you feel better. Do not stop using it suddenly as it may worsen your condition.
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose to make up for the missed dose.
If you often forget to use your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not use Fluticasone to relieve a sudden attack of breathlessness. Fluticasone cannot relieve an acute asthma attack. Use a fast-acting reliever as prescribed by your doctor to manage such attacks.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (long-term lung disease that causes airflow obstruction making it hard to breath)
- eye disease e.g. glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye), cataract (clouding of the lens of the eye)
- active or a history of TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- active or recurring infections caused by bacteria, virus, fungi or parasites
- diabetes
- liver disease
- conditions which increase the risk of bone weakness e.g. family history of osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bones), being immobile for a long time, menopausal women, smoking, poor nutritional intake
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Fluticasone to a child.
Avoid exposure to anyone who is infected with chickenpox or measles. If you are exposed to these infections, inform your doctor immediately.
If you have been given a steroid warning card, always carry it with you.
If you are going for an operation, including minor surgery or dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- You may need to have routine tests to check your lung and liver function. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
- Monitoring of the growth (e.g. height) may be necessary for children using this medicine.
Fluticasone may cause any of the following side effects: headache, hoarseness of voice, cough, colds, sore throat, unpleasant taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, tiredness, joint pain, skin bruising, and throat dryness or irritation.
This medicine may cause creamy white patches or lesions on your tongue and the inside of your mouth. This is a fungal infection known as oral thrush. Rinse your mouth with water after you use Fluticasone to minimise this problem.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swollen face, eyes, tongue or throat
- blurring of your vision or other visual disturbances
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience any other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, cobicistat
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Fluticasone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from frost, direct heat and sunlight. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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