FLOVENT INDICATIONS
Flovent is used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.
FLOVENT INSTRUCTIONS
Use Flovent exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Flovent comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Do not use Flovent to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication.
Flovent is a liquid form of fluticasone that is used with an inhaler device. This device creates a spray that you inhale through your mouth and into your lungs. Your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to use an inhaler.
Flovent Diskus is a powder form of fluticasone that comes with a special inhaler device preloaded with blister packs containing measured doses of fluticasone. The device opens and loads a blister of fluticasone each time you use the inhaler. The disk device is not to be used with a spacer. Follow the patient instructions provided with the Diskus.
To reduce the chance of developing a yeast infection in your mouth, rinse with water after using Flovent products. Do not swallow. Pay special attention to your dental hygiene. This medicine can cause cavities or tooth discoloration.
Asthma is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
Contact your doctor if your asthma symptoms do not improve after using Flovent for 2 weeks.
Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well as usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. If you use a peak flow meter at home, call your doctor if your numbers are lower than normal.
Your Flovent dosage needs may change if you have surgery, are ill, are under stress, or have recently had an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks.
If you were switched from an oral (taken by mouth) steroid to Flovent, you may need to go back to taking the oral medicine if you are under stress or have an asthma attack or other medical emergency. Carry an identification card or wear a medical alert ID to let others know that you may need an oral steroid in an emergency.
If you missed a dose - use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
FLOVENT STORAGE
Use exactly as directed by your doctor.
Flovent Inhalation Aerosol should be administered by the orally inhaled route in patients 12 years of age and older. Individual patients will experience a variable time to onset and degree of symptom relief. Generally, Flovent Inhalation Aerosol has a relatively rapid onset of action for an inhaled glucocorticoid. Improvement in asthma control following inhaled administration of fluticasone propionate can occur within 24 hours of beginning treatment, although maximum benefit may not be achieved for 1 to 2 weeks or longer after starting treatment.
After asthma stability has been achieved, it is always desirable to titrate to the lowest effective dosage to reduce the possibility of side effects. For patients who do not respond adequately to the starting dosage after 2 weeks of therapy, higher dosages may provide additional asthma control. The safety and efficacy of Flovent Inhalation Aerosol when administered in excess of recommended dosages have not been established.
FLOVENT 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.
Do not use Flovent if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Flovent;
- you are having a severe asthma attack requiring quick relief.
Before using Flovent, tell your doctor if you have been sick or had an infection of any kind. You may not be able to use Flovent until you are well.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Flovent is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using Flovent, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether fluticasone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Flovent without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 4 years old without the advice of a doctor. Flovent can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using Flovent.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Flovent:
- difficulty breathing;
- swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Flovent and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- weakness, tired feeling, nausea, vomiting, feeling like you might pass out;
- skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
- blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
- signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, ear pain, flu symptoms;
- wheezing or breathing problems after using Flovent; or
- worsening asthma symptoms.
Less serious Flovent side effects may include:
- headache;
- dryness in your mouth, nose, or throat;
- white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
- stuffy nose, sinus pain, cough; or
- hoarseness or deepened voice.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.