What is this medication for?
Fluticasone belongs to the class of medications called inhaled corticosteroids, which reduce symptoms and prevent asthma attacks by decreasing inflammation in the lungs and thereby opening the airways.
When used regularly every day, inhaled fluticasone decreases the number and severity of asthma attacks. However, it will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Flovent® by GlaxoSmithKline is no longer being manufactured for sale in the USA.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended regular daily dose of fluticasone inhalation is that which is the lowest required to control asthma symptoms. The full benefit of this medication may take 1 to 2 weeks or longer to achieve.
Adults and adolescents over 12 years of age (HFA inhaler and diskus): The dose for adults and adolescents over 12 years of age is given twice daily (the number of inhalations varies depending on strength of medication used).
Children over 4 years of age (diskus only): The usual dose for children over 4 years of age is 50 µg or 100 µg twice daily (the number of inhalations varies depending on strength of medication used). Your doctor may tell you to adjust the dose of this medication in order to find one that helps control your asthma symptoms.
Inhaled fluticasone is used to prevent asthma attacks. It is not used to relieve an attack that has already started. For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another medication. If you do not have another medication to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your healthcare professional.
The HFA inhaler should be shaken well before use. In order to get the most of the medication into the lungs, ask your doctor or pharmacist about proper techniques for taking this medication.
Rinsing your mouth and gargling with water after each inhalation can help prevent hoarseness, throat irritation, and infection in the mouth caused by candidiasis (a type of yeast infection of the mouth, also known as thrush). If you have dentures, they should be cleansed after each dose.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not freeze. The contents of the aerosol inhaler are under pressure and should not be punctured or overheated.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Fluticasone should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to fluticasone or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- is allergic to milk or lactose (in the case of Flovent® Diskus only)
- is using it for the primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute asthma conditions