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Fluticasone inhalers

Author:	NHS.uk
Written on:	2020-03-18
Go to Health A-Z:	Click A-Z

Asthma

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

HealthUnlocked: asthma forum

Asthma UK: charity

British Lung Foundation: charity

Inhaled fluticasone is a medicine used for asthma?and?chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

You can take it using an inhaler (sometimes called a "puffer") which is usually brown or beige. This is called a "preventer" inhaler because it helps to prevent you from getting symptoms.

If you have severe asthma or COPD, you may need to use a nebuliser. A nebuliser is a machine that helps you breathe in your medicine as a mist, using a mask or a mouthpiece. You can use a nebuliser in hospital, or you may be given one to manage your condition at home. Fluticasone nebuliser liquid comes in individual doses called nebules.

Fluticasone inhalers and nebules are available on prescription. Some inhalers contain fluticasone mixed with other medicines that help your breathing.

Fluticasone is a type of medicine known as a?steroid (also called a corticosteroid).

It also comes as a cream or ointment, nasal spray or nasal drops for treating other conditions. Read about:

fluticasone cream or ointment - for skin conditions such as eczema

fluticasone nose spray (nasal spray) - for hay fever and cold-like symptoms caused by common allergies?(allergic rhinitis)

fluticasone drops (nasal drops) - for nasal polyps

NHS coronavirus advice

If you have a steroid inhaler or nebuliser, carry on using it as usual. Use it even if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

It’s important to use your inhaler or nebuliser to help control your asthma or COPD.

Updated: 06 April 2020

Key facts

You need to use your fluticasone inhaler every day for it to work, even if you do not have any symptoms.

It's important to rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after using a steroid preventer inhaler. This is to prevent infections and a sore mouth.

You may get a blue steroid treatment card if you need a high dose of fluticasone to control your symptoms.

You'll usually be given another inhaler, called a "reliever", to relieve your symptoms?when they happen.

When fluticasone comes mixed with other medicines, brand names include Flutiform, Seretide and Relvar.

Who can and cannot use fluticasone

Adults can use fluticasone inhalers and nebulisers.

Children aged 5 years and older can use fluticasone inhalers. For severe asthma, they can use a nebuliser from the age of 4 years.

Fluticasone is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

have had an allergic reaction to fluticasone or any other medicines in the past

are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant - your doctor may want to lower your dose

are being treated for viral or fungal infections

are taking or have recently taken other steroid medicines

have ever had tuberculosis (TB)

The usual dose for the inhaler is 1 or 2 puffs, taken twice a day.

It's important to use your fluticasone inhaler or nebuliser regularly to manage your symptoms. Use it regularly, even if you do not have any symptoms. After using your inhaler, always put the lid back on to keep it clean.

Fluticasone inhalers come in different strengths. Your doctor, asthma or respiratory nurse will tell you which strength is right for you. Always follow their instructions. They may tell you to have more than 2 puffs at a time from your inhaler. It depends on how bad your breathing is and which inhaler you're using.

The usual dose for the nebuliser is 1 or 2 nebules, breathed in from the nebuliser machine, twice a day. Your doctor or nurse will give you clear instructions on how to use the nebuliser.

Different types of inhalers

There are different types of fluticasone inhaler. It's very important to use your inhaler properly. This is so you get the right amount of fluticasone into your lungs and the most benefit from your medicine.

Before using your inhaler, read the information leaflet that comes with it. This leaflet contains instructions and diagrams to show you how to use the inhaler, how to keep it clean, and how long to use it before getting a replacement.

Watch a video

Asthma UK has some short videos showing you how to use your inhaler?to help you manage your symptoms. You can search by type of inhaler and by brand (such as Flixotide).

If you use a pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI), for example, you can watch the pMDI video.

To get the most from your inhaler, it's important to have your technique checked regularly.

If you're not sure how to use your inhaler, or your technique has not been checked for a year, ask your doctor, nurse or a pharmacist to watch you use it.

It’s very important to use your inhaler properly. This is so you get the right amount of fluticasone into your lungs and the most benefit from your medicine.

Using your inhaler with a spacer

If you or your child find it difficult to use an inhaler, your doctor or nurse may give you a spacer to use with it. Spacers can reduce the risk of side effects from the medicine affecting your mouth and throat. They are particularly useful for giving fluticasone to young children.

A spacer is a large plastic container with a mouthpiece and a hole for the inhaler. When used with the inhaler it makes it easier to get the right amount of fluticasone into your lungs.

Your doctor, nurse or a pharmacist can show you how to use a spacer with your inhaler.

Will my dose go up or down?

Your dose may go up or down depending on how bad your breathing is. You will be prescribed the lowest dose that controls your symptoms.

If you have agreed on a personal action plan with your doctor or nurse, follow your action plan.

What if I forget to use it?

Use your inhaler or nebuliser as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

Do not stop using fluticasone suddenly, even if you feel better, without speaking to your doctor or nurse first.

What if I take too much?

Taking too much fluticasone by accident is unlikely to harm you.

If you're worried, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.

Steroid cards

If you take more than 400 micrograms of fluticasone a day (for example, if your dose is 250 micrograms, twice a day), ask your doctor, nurse or a pharmacist if you need to carry a blue steroid card.

Important

If you need any medical or dental treatment, show your blue steroid card to the doctor, dentist or pharmacist so they know that you're taking fluticasone.

Like all medicines, fluticasone can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

With inhaled fluticasone very little medicine gets into the rest of your body, so it's unlikely to give you side effects.

Common side effects

These common side effects may happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Keep taking the medicine but talk to your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

oral thrush?– a fungal infection that causes white patches, redness and?soreness in your mouth

dry or sore throat, or hoarse voice

Serious side effects

It's unusual to have any serious side effects when using a fluticasone inhaler.

You are more likely to get serious side effects if you're taking a high dose of fluticasone for a long time (more than a few months).

Tell a doctor immediately if you get:

a high temperature, chills, a very sore throat, ear or sinus pain, a cough, coughing up more mucus (phlegm) or a change in colour of your mucus, pain when you pee, mouth sores or a wound that will not heal – these can be signs of an infection

"moon face" (a puffy, rounded face), weight gain in your upper back or belly – this happens gradually and can be a signs of Cushing's syndrome

a very upset stomach or you're being sick (vomiting), very bad dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, very tired, mood changes, loss of appetite and weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems

changes in your eyesight, such as blurred vision or a cloudy lens in your eye – these can be signs of increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma) or a cataract

Serious allergic reaction

It happens rarely but it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to fluticasone.

This is different to an asthma attack. If you or your child have asthma symptoms, such as wheezing or have tightness in the chest or throat, use a reliever inhaler. If the symptoms do not improve or get worse, call 999 or go to A&E.

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin

you have trouble breathing or talking

your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Taking fluticasone at high doses for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers.

Your child's doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully for as long as they're taking this medicine. This will help them to know if your child's growth is slowing down and change the treatment if needed.

Even if your child's growth does slow down, this does not seem to have much effect on their adult height.

Talk to your doctor if you're worried. They will be able to explain the benefits and risks of giving your child fluticasone.

You can report any suspected side effect to the?UK safety scheme.

These are not all the side effects of fluticasone. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

How to cope with side effects

What to do about:

oral thrush – try rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth after using your inhaler to stop this happening. If you get oral thrush, ask a pharmacist to recommend a suitable treatment, such as a mouth gel, and get them to check that you're using your inhaler correctly. They may suggest that you see your doctor to discuss the best treatment.

dry or sore throat, or hoarse voice – try rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth after using your inhaler to stop this happening. Using a spacer with your inhaler can also help.

It's important to manage your asthma or COPD while you're pregnant. Having uncontrolled breathing can be dangerous for you and your unborn baby.

You can use a fluticasone inhaler in pregnancy. There is no evidence that it will harm your baby.

Always tell your doctor if you are pregnant. For safety, they will only prescribe fluticasone in pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. They will prescribe the lowest dose that works for you.

If you become pregnant while using fluticasone, do not stop using your inhaler without talking to your doctor first.

Find out more about using steroid inhalers during pregnancy on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

Fluticasone and breastfeeding

It's generally OK to use your fluticasone inhaler as normal while you're breastfeeding.

However, always check with your doctor first. Your baby may need extra monitoring if you use high doses of the inhaler.

Talk to your doctor if youre:

trying to get pregnant

pregnant

breastfeeding

Some medicines and fluticasone interfere with each other. This can increase your chance of side effects, or it may mean changing your dose of fluticasone.

Check with a pharmacist or your doctor if you're taking: