FLOVENT

Who is Flovent for ?

Fluticasone, a corticosteroid, is used to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing caused by severe asthma and other lung diseases. this medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that suppresses your body's production of certain substances in the lungs that trigger inflammation and reduces the production of substances that maintain inflammation.

When should I be careful taking Flovent ?

If you are switching (or have recently switched) from an oral corticosteroid (betamethasone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, or prednisone) to fluticasone oral inhalation and have an injury, infection, or severe asthma attack, use a full dose (even if you have been gradually decreasing your dose) of oral corticosteroid and call your doctor for additional instructions. Carry an identification card that indicates that you may need to use supplementary doses (write down the full dose you took before gradually decreasing it) of the corticosteroid during periods of stress (injuries, infections, and severe asthma attacks). Ask your pharmacist or doctor how to obtain this card. List your name, medical problems, drugs and dosages, and doctor's name and telephone number on the card.

Before taking fluticasone,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluticasone or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially arthritis medications; aspirin; digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics ("water pills"); estrogens; fluoxetine (Prozac); ketoconazole (Nizoral); oral contraceptives; medication for seizures; rifampin (Rifadin); theophylline; and vitamins.
• if you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin), do not use fluticasone without talking to your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure; mental illness; diabetes; myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; an underactive thyroid gland; or liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluticasone, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking fluticasone.

Side Effects

Although side effects from fluticasone are not common, they can occur. Tell you doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dry or irritated throat
• cough
• difficult or painful speech

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• vision problems
• white spots or sores in your mouth
• swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
• cold or infection that lasts a long time
• muscle weakness
• increased difficulty breathing
• skin rash
• unusual bleeding or bruising