Fluticasone inhalation powder

What is this medicine?

FLUTICASONE (floo TIK a sone) inhalation powder is a corticosteroid. It helps decrease inflammation in your lungs. This medicine is used to treat the symptoms of asthma. Never use this medicine for an acute asthma attack.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for inhalation through the mouth. Rinse your mouth with water after use. Make sure not to swallow the water. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Do not use with a spacer device. Do not use more often than directed. Make sure that you are using your inhaler correctly. Ask you doctor or health care provider if you have any questions.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• changes in vision

• flu-like symptoms

• unusual swelling

• white patches or sores in the mouth or throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• coughing, hoarseness, or throat irritation

• dry mouth

• headache

• flushing

• loss of taste, or unpleasant taste

What may interact with this medicine?

• antiviral medicines for HIV or AIDS

• certain antibiotics like clarithromycin and telithromycin

• certain medicines for fungal infections like ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole

• conivaptan

• ketoconazole

• nefazodone

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. Do not use double or extra doses.

Where should 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). Keep dry. Protect from heat and direct sunlight. Discard 6 weeks after removal from the foil pouch or after all of the blisters have been used (when the dose indicator reads 0), whichever comes first.

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:

• bone problems

• immune system problems

• infection, like chickenpox, tuberculosis, herpes, or fungal infection

• recent surgery or injury of mouth or throat

• taking corticosteroids by mouth

• an unusual or allergic reaction to fluticasone, lactose, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check with your health care professional if your symptoms do not improve. If your symptoms get worse or if you need your short-acting inhalers more often, call your doctor right away. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not come in contact with people who have the chickenpox or the measles while you are taking this medicine. If you do, call your doctor right away.

Your inhaler has a dose counter and will tell you when only a few doses are left.