Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate
About Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is a prescription inhalation capsule used to manage and prevent symptoms of chronic lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps control ongoing breathing difficulties, such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. This medicine is designed for long-term maintenance and should not be used to treat sudden, acute asthma attacks.
To get the most benefit, you must take Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate regularly every day, even if you are feeling well. It is typically inhaled once or twice daily as directed by your doctor and can be taken with or without food. Along with your medication, avoiding known triggers like dust, smoke, and pollen and maintaining a healthy diet can significantly improve your lung health.
While taking Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate, you may experience mild side effects such as a hoarse voice, throat irritation, or a mild headache. However, if you develop serious symptoms like severe dizziness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or signs of a mouth infection, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Before starting Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or any current infections. Do not take this medicine if you have a known severe allergy to any of its components or to milk proteins, as the capsules may contain lactose.
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate can interact with other medicines like beta-blockers, which can make your breathing worse, or certain water pills that might lower your potassium levels. Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of this treatment, so it is best to avoid it. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, talk to your doctor to ensure this medicine is safe for your specific situation.
Uses of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate
• Controls and prevents asthma symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
• Improves lung function, reduces flare-ups, and eases symptoms such as cough and difficulty breathing in COPD patients.
Medicinal Benefits
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate helps improve your breathing and supports long-term lung health by keeping your airways open and reducing inflammation. With regular use, it makes everyday activities easier, lowers the risk of sudden breathing problems, and helps you stay more active with greater comfort and confidence.
- Easier Daily Breathing: By reducing swelling and relaxing the muscles in your airways, Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate makes it much easier to draw deep, comfortable breaths throughout the day and night.
- Prevention of Sudden Flare-ups: Regular use of this medication helps stabilise your lungs, significantly lowering the frequency and severity of sudden breathing crises.
- Improved Physical Ability: With better lung function, you can perform daily activities, exercise, and walk longer distances without getting easily winded or fatigued.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding the dosage and timing of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate to ensure its safe and effective use.
- Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is for inhalation only. Do not swallow the capsule.
- Check the label for directions and use the medication as advised by your doctor.
- Place the capsule at the base of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate and completely twist the mouthpiece until you hear a clicking sound. Then, inhale deeply through the mouthpiece and hold your breath for 10 seconds.
- Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after using Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate to help prevent fungal infections in your mouth and throat.
Storage
Side Effects of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Throat irritation or hoarse voice
- Mild headache
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Muscle cramps or mild shaking in the hands
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Sudden, severe chest tightness or wheezing immediately after inhaling the medicine
- Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- White patches in your mouth or throat (thrush)
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or muscle weakness
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or a severe skin rash
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the Capsule: Ensure the capsule is intact and dry before inserting it into your inhaler. Never use a damp or damaged capsule.
- Keep Device Clean: Wipe the mouthpiece of your inhaler with a dry tissue or cloth after use. Never wash the inhaler device with water, as moisture will ruin the dry powder capsules.
- Not a Rescue Inhaler: Do not use Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate to treat a sudden, acute asthma attack. Always keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler with you for emergency breathing relief.
- Do Not Swallow: Always remind yourself and caregivers that these capsules are meant only for inhalation and should never be swallowed like regular pills.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
- Beta-Blockers: Medicines used for high blood pressure or heart issues can block the action of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate, causing your airways to narrow and making breathing difficult.
- Diuretics (Water Pills): Taking these alongside Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate may increase the risk of developing dangerously low potassium levels in your blood.
- Antifungal and Antiviral Medicines: Drugs like ketoconazole or ritonavir can increase the amount of this medication in your body, raising the risk of side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions
- Heart Conditions: This medicine can cause changes in your heart rhythm and blood pressure, requiring careful monitoring if you have pre-existing heart disease.
- Diabetes: Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate may increase your blood sugar levels, so you may need to monitor your blood glucose more closely.
- Active Infections: The protective steroid component of this medicine can suppress your immune system, potentially worsening existing bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can worsen your side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor believes the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience drowsiness and an increased or uneven heart rate while using Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate. This may affect your ability to drive. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionThe use of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate should be exercised with caution in patients with liver disease. Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver disease or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate.
Kidney
cautionFluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Inform your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate.
Children
cautionFluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is not recommended for use by children under five years of age. The dose may need to be adjusted by your doctor depending on the child's disease condition and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid Triggers: Identify and minimise exposure to common lung irritants such as cigarette smoke, strong chemical fumes, dust, and outdoor air pollution.
- Rinse and Spit: Always rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after every inhalation to prevent oral thrush, a common fungal infection associated with inhaled steroids.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help thin mucus in your airways, making it easier to clear your lungs.
- Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a daily log of your breathing patterns and any symptoms to share with your healthcare provider during check-ups.
Special Advise
- It is recommended to undergo a blood test to check your potassium levels, as Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate can cause low potassium levels (hypokalaemia).
- Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while using Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate, as bronchodilators like Formoterol fumarate may cause low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia).
- Consult your doctor if you have diabetes before using Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate so that your insulin or other diabetic medication doses can be adjusted accordingly to maintain your blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which the airways narrow, swell, and produce excess mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. Common symptoms include wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough, especially at night.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases characterised by chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes) and emphysema (shortness of breath). The primary cause of COPD is smoking tobacco, although long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals can also contribute. Symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing).
FAQs
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes) and emphysema (shortness of breath).
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate contains Formoterol fumarate and Fluticasone propionate. Formoterol fumarate improves airflow to the lungs by relaxing the airway muscles and widening the airways, while Fluticasone propionate reduces inflammation (swelling) in the airways. Thereby, Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate helps ease breathing and control asthma and COPD symptoms.
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate should be cautiously administered under a doctor's guidance in seizures, since bronchodilators like Formoterol can cause central nervous system stimulation that can lead to other adverse conditions. Please consult your doctor before using Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate if you have seizures.
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate contains bronchodilator (Fluticasone), which can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence, therapy with Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is cautiously administered in patients with diabetes. Please monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly.
Bronchodilator (Formoterol) in Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate may decrease potassium levels in your body; therefore, it should be used with caution. Please consult your doctor before taking Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate since low potassium levels can lead to other cardiovascular problems in patients with hypokalaemia.
Formoterol in Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on a sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is not recommended for use when you are taking Sotalol or vice versa. Sotalol and Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate have opposing effects in the body. Sotalol may also trigger asthma attacks or worsen your breathing problems by narrowing the airways. Please consult your doctor before using other medicines with Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate.
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is not used for sudden breathing problems; your doctor may suggest a rescue inhaler for use in such cases.
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is a controller medication. It helps control and prevent asthma and COPD symptoms rather than providing immediate relief during an acute attack.
Yes, Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate contains a steroid. One of the active ingredients, fluticasone, is a corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation in the airways.
Yes, Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate may increase the heart rate. Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate contains formoterol, which may activate receptors in the heart, potentially leading to palpitations or a faster heartbeat in some individuals. Consult the doctor if you experience palpitations or an increased heart rate.
The side effects of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate include nausea, vomiting, headache, increased heart rate, respiratory tract infection, sore throat, cough, bone, muscle, or joint pain, chills, tiredness, and noisy breathing. Most of these side effects of Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
No, Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate is not addictive. It is not a habit-forming medication.
No, Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate will not be more effective if taken more frequently. Increasing the dosage or frequency can increase the risk of side effects. So, use this medication as prescribed by the doctor.
Use Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate only if the doctor has prescribed it; it should not be used for sudden attacks. Limit your alcohol consumption because it can raise blood pressure and cause heart disease. Inform your doctor if you have any medication allergies, heart, liver, or kidney problems, high blood pressure, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), aneurysm (artery swelling), pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour), hyperadrenocorticism (high cortisol levels), eye conditions such as cataract and glaucoma, chickenpox or measles, immune system issues, seizures (fits), osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), and diabetes.
Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate can be stored in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. Keep it out of sight and reach of children.
No, you should never swallow Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate capsules. They are designed exclusively for inhalation. The active ingredients must be breathed directly into your lungs using your dry powder inhaler device to work properly. If you or someone else accidentally swallows a capsule, talk to your doctor right away.
You may not always feel or taste the dry powder when you inhale, which is normal. To make sure you received the full dose, check the capsule inside the device after inhalation to see if it is empty. If there is still powder left, close the device and inhale again. If you have trouble using the device, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should use Fluticasone Propionate+formoterol Fumarate only if your healthcare provider determines that the benefit outweighs the potential risk. Controlling your breathing is vital for both you and your baby, so talk to your doctor to find the safest treatment plan.
You should clean your inhaler mouthpiece once a week by wiping it with a dry, clean cloth or tissue. Never wash the device with water or submerge it, as any moisture left inside the device can cause the capsule powder to clump and become unusable. If you need help, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Rinsing your mouth and spitting the water out after each use is highly important. This removes any leftover medicine from your throat and mouth, helping to prevent hoarseness, throat irritation, and a fungal mouth infection called thrush. If you develop white patches or pain in your mouth, talk to your doctor.
If you miss your regular dose, skip the missed dose and take your next one at your scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed one, as this can increase your risk of side effects. If you frequently forget to take your medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for tips on staying on track.
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