Fluticasone

Fluticasone is a prescription medication that comes in inhalation aerosol and powder for inhalation.

It is mostly prescribed by doctors for the treatment of:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Nasal polyp

It is also used to relieve seasonal and year-round allergy and non-allergic nasal symptoms such as:

• Runny, stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Itching

Fluticasone is in the class of medications called corticosteroids. It inhibits the release of certain natural substances that causes allergy symptoms. Corticosteroids are hormones produced naturally by the adrenal glands that have many important functions.

This prescription medicine is a synthetic corticosteroid used to reduce allergic reactions and inflammation in the nasal passages. Fluticasone works by preventing the cells in the nasal passages from discharging chemicals that usually triggers an allergic reaction.

When and How to Use Fluticasone

The dosage will depend on your age and response to the first use. For its full effect, you can take it for 3-4 days. It is most effective to begin using for a few days before expecting symptoms.

• Children aged 6-11 years: Use one spray in each nostril, at the same time each day. If their symptoms are not controlled with the given dose, your doctor might prescribe you two sprays in each nostril once a day and lessen it to one spray once you’ve improved any symptoms.
• Adults and children aged 12 years: Use two sprays in each nostril once a day. Once the symptoms are under control, you must reduce your dose to one spray, once a day.

Before using, shake the bottle for about 10 seconds. Keep in mind if you forget a dose, just leave it out. Don’t double the dose to make up for the missed one.

Possible Side Effects of Fluticasone

Less common side effects:

• Loss of vision
• Change in vision
• Blurred vision

More common side effects:

• Unusual weakness
• Sore throat
• Pain or tenderness around the eyes
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Fever
• Cough
• Hives, itching, or rash
• Bloody nose
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Pain in the nose or mouth
• Stinging, dryness, or burning in the nose

What Should I Know Before Taking Fluticasone

• Allergies: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to this prescription or have any unusual allergies. Tell also if you have any other types of allergies such as preservatives, dyes, or foods.
• Pediatric: There are no appropriate studies performed that have demonstrated Fluticasone would limit the usefulness in children. However, the safety and efficacy of Fluticasone have not been established in children younger than 2 years old.
• Breastfeeding and Pregnancy: You need to consult your healthcare provider first before taking a dose of this prescription. Discuss the risks and benefits of Fluticasone. This may not be prescribed to breastfeeding women and pregnant women as well. The drug might affect an infant or unborn baby.
• Drug Interactions: Certain medicines should not be used together at all. In some cases, your doctor may want to change a dose and other precautions might be needed as well. When you are taking Fluticasone, your healthcare provider must know if you are taking any other prescriptions. Taking Fluticasone with other medications can increase the risk of some side effects.
• Medical Problems: Having medical problems might affect the use of Fluticasone. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have had asthma, glaucoma, liver disease infections, cataracts, or measles.

Getting the Best Result from Fluticasone

• Take note that this medicine should not be used to treat symptoms caused by the common cold.
• It is important to check your progress. Regularly visits to your doctor to make sure that this prescription works well for you.
• Check with your doctor right away if your symptoms do not improve within a few days or it gets worse.
• Fluticasone can cause ulcers or holes in the cartilage of the nose and might delay wound healing. Be sure that your doctor knows you have any nose surgery or infection in your nose the last few months before using this medicine.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you have blurred vision or any changes in your vision during or after your treatment.
• While using Fluticasone, you may easily get infections. Inform your doctor right away if you’ve been exposed to someone with measles or chickenpox.
• Using too much of this medication may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. Use Fluticasone as prescribed by your doctor.
• You should not take other medications unless it is given by your doctor. This includes non-prescription, prescriptions, herbal, or vitamin supplements