|
Fluticasone Oral Inhalation is used to control the symptoms of asthma (a disease in which the airways become blocked causing difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing). Fluticasone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works by decreasing swelling and irritation in the airways to allow for easier breathing. Fluticasone helps to prevent asthma attacks (sudden episodes of shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing), but it will not work to stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor will probably prescribe a different medication to use whenever you have an asthma attack.
Fluticasone comes as an aerosol to inhale by mouth. Fluticasone is usually inhaled twice a day. To help you remember to use fluticasone, use it around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use fluticasone exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will probably start you on a higher dose of fluticasone and may decrease your dose when your symptoms are controlled or increase it if your symptoms have not improved after at least 2 weeks. Fluticasone controls asthma but does not cure it. Your symptoms may improve 24 hours after you begin taking fluticasone, but it may take 2 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of the medication. Continue to take fluticasone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking fluticasone without talking to your doctor. If you miss doses or stop using fluticasone, your symptoms may return. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. The inhaler that comes with fluticasone aerosol is designed for use only with a canister of fluticasone. Never use it to inhale any other medication, and never use any other inhaler to inhale fluticasone. If you are using any other inhaled medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you should inhale these medications a certain amount of time before or after you you use fluticasone inhalation. Each canister of fluticasone aerosol is designed to provide 60 or 120 inhalations, depending on its size. After the labeled number of inhalations has been used, later inhalations may not contain the correct amount of medication. You should keep track of the number of inhalations you have used and throw away the canister after you have used the labeled number of inhalations even if it still contains some liquid. You can divide 60 or 120 by the number of inhalations you use each day to find out how many days your inhaler will last. Before you use your fluticasone aerosol inhaler the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Look at the diagrams carefully and be sure that you recognize all the parts of the inhaler. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use it. Practice using the inhaler while he or she watches. To use the aerosol inhaler, follow these steps: Be sure that the inhaler is at room temperature. Shake the inhaler well for 15 seconds Remove the cap form the mouthpiece. The strap on the side of the cap will stay attached to the actuator to keep the cap from getting lost. If the strap does come off and the cap gets lost, check the mouthpiece for dirt and other objects before each use. Be sure the canister is correctly inserted in the actuator. If you are using the inhaler for the first time, or you have not used the inhaler in at least 4 weeks, hold it pointing away from you and release four sprays into the air. If you have not used the inhaler in 1-3 weeks, release one spray into the air. Be careful not to spray the medication into your eyes. Breathe out through your mouth. Hold the inhaler facing you with the mouthpiece on the bottom. Place your thumb under the mouthpiece and your index finger on the top of the canister. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it or hold the inhaler 1-2 inches away from your open mouth. Breathe in deeply and slowly through your mouth. At the same time, press down firmly on the top of the canister with your index finger. Continue to inhale and try to hold your breath for 10 seconds. While you are holding your breath, remove the inhaler from your mouth and let go of the canister. Breathe out. If your doctor told you to inhale more than one puff, wait 30 seconds, shake the canister again, and repeat steps 5-9 for each puff. Put the cap back on the mouthpiece. Rinse your mouth with water, but do not swallow the water. |