Salmeterol+fluticasone
About Salmeterol+fluticasone
Fluticasone+salmeterol is a respiratory medication used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is a breathing disorder characterised by airway narrowing, swelling, and excessive mucus production, resulting in difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases that includes emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes).
Fluticasone+salmeterol is a combination of two medicines: Salmeterol and Fluticasone. Salmeterol is a long-acting bronchodilator that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. It makes breathing easier by widening the airways. Fluticasone belongs to the class of corticosteroids. It acts by blocking prostaglandins' production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways.
Your doctor will advise on how often you take Fluticasone+salmeterol based on your medical condition. The common side effects of Fluticasone+salmeterol include nausea, vomiting, respiratory tract infection, headache, sore throat, cough, bone, muscle or joint pain, increased heart rate, chills, black or tarry stools, and noisy breathing. Most of these side effects of Fluticasone+salmeterol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine on your own. Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have heart, liver, kidney diseases, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), hyperadrenocorticism (high levels of cortisol), eye disorders like cataract and glaucoma, seizure (fits), osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), and diabetes before taking Fluticasone+salmeterol. Therapy with nasal or inhaled corticosteroids like Fluticasone should be cautiously administered in patients with a fungal, bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection and tuberculosis, since there is a chance of developing a secondary infection. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines.
Uses of Salmeterol+fluticasone
• Treatment of asthma: Used to relieve and prevent difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness in people with asthma.
• Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Fluticasone+salmeterol controls and minimises symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnea, coughing, and chest tightness in patients with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
• Control of COPD flare-ups: Reduces the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations while improving overall lung function.
• Anti-inflammatory effect: Fluticasone reduces airway irritation, which makes breathing easier.
• Long-acting bronchodilation: Salmeterol relaxes the airway muscles, helping breathing become easier over time.
Medicinal Benefits
Fluticasone+salmeterol is used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders, such as asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fluticasone+salmeterol improves pulmonary function and effectively treats and prevents the worsening of emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes). Fluticasone+salmeterol is a combination of Salmeterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (corticosteroid). Salmeterol relaxes the muscles in the airways, increasing airflow to the lungs. It makes breathing easier by widening the airways. Fluticasone acts by blocking the production of prostaglandins (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways. Fluticasone has potent vasoconstrictive (narrowing of the blood vessels) and anti-inflammatory activity.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Please read the instruction leaflet and use it as suggested by your doctor.
- Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after using Fluticasone+salmeterol to avoid fungal infections in the mouth and throat.
Storage
Side Effects of Salmeterol+fluticasone
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Respiratory tract infection
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Bone, muscle or joint pain
- Increased heart rate
- Chills
- Black or tarry stools
- Noisy breathing
Drug Warnings
Do not stop taking this medicine on your own unless advised by your doctor. Before taking Fluticasone+salmeterol, let your doctor know if you have a history of heart, liver, kidney diseases, hyperadrenocorticism (high levels of cortisol), eye disorders like cataracts and glaucoma, seizure (fits), osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), and diabetes. Fluticasone+salmeterol may cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood); therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with hypokalaemia to prevent any cardiovascular effects. Special precautions should be taken in patients with a fungal, bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection and tuberculosis, since nasal or inhaled corticosteroids like Fluticasone can cause secondary infections. Fluticasone+salmeterol can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence, monitor your blood glucose levels regularly if you are diabetic. Please let your doctor know if you plan to become pregnant or are already pregnant and a lactating mother. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience drowsiness and increased/uneven heart rate while using Fluticasone+salmeterol. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can worsen your side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform the doctor if you are taking fluid retention drugs (furosemide), corticosteroids (budesonide), bronchodilators (vilanterol, formoterol, albuterol), respiratory drugs (ipratropium), or blood pressure medicines (metoprolol).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Let your doctor know if you have any allergic reactions to medicines, heart, liver, kidney diseases, hyperadrenocorticism, cataracts, glaucoma, hypokalaemia, fungal, bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection, and tuberculosis.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can worsen your side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are planning to conceive or are already pregnant before starting Fluticasone+salmeterol.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited data on how Fluticasone+salmeterol affects breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before starting Fluticasone+salmeterol.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience drowsiness and an increased or uneven heart rate while using Fluticasone+salmeterol. This may affect your ability to drive. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionFluticasone+salmeterol should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. 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+salmeterol.
Kidney
cautionFluticasone+salmeterol 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+salmeterol.
Children
cautionFluticasone+salmeterol is not recommended for use for children less than four years of age. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending upon the condition of the child's disease and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over-the-counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Fluticasone+salmeterol.
- Know your triggers, such as allergens, such as pollen, dust, and food items, that make your asthma severe.
- Quit smoking and avoid passive smoking. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
- Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
Special Advise
- It is advised to undergo blood examination to keep a check on your potassium levels since Fluticasone+salmeterol can cause low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalaemia).
- Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while using Fluticasone+salmeterol since bronchodilators like Salmeterol can cause low blood glucose levels.
- Consult your diabetologist if you have diabetes before using Fluticasone+salmeterol so that your insulin or other diabetic medication 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 airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, especially at night. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises and self-care.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Fluticasone+salmeterol is used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Fluticasone+salmeterol consists of Salmeterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (Fluticasone). Salmeterol relaxes the muscles in the airways, increasing airflow to the lungs. Fluticasone acts by blocking the production of prostaglandins (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways.
Fluticasone+salmeterol should be cautiously administered under the doctor's guidance in seizures since bronchodilators like Salmeterol can cause central nervous system stimulation that can lead to other adverse conditions. Please consult your doctor before using Fluticasone+salmeterol if you have seizures.
Fluticasone+salmeterol contains bronchodilator (Fluticasone), which can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence, therapy with Fluticasone+salmeterol 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 (Salmeterol) in Fluticasone+salmeterol may decrease the potassium levels in your body; therefore, it should be used with caution. Please consult your doctor before taking Fluticasone+salmeterol since low potassium levels can lead to other cardiovascular problems in patients with hypokalaemia.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Fluticasone+salmeterol is a combination medication used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains two active ingredients: Salmeterol and Fluticasone Propionate.
Fluticasone+salmeterol is a controller medication. It manages and prevents symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by keeping the airways open and reducing inflammation. It should be used regularly to be effective, and not to relieve sudden asthma attacks immediately.
Fluticasone+salmeterol contains a Fluticasone Propionate, which belongs to the family of medicines known as corticosteroids or steroids (cortisone-like medicines), which helps reduce inflammation in the airways.
Yes, Fluticasone+salmeterol may increase heart rate due to the Salmeterol component, which is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist (LABA). This can lead to palpitations, tremors, and increased heart rate in some individuals. Try deep breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, staying hydrated, and avoiding caffeine and nicotine to manage an increased heart rate. If the increased heart rate persists or worsens, consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Fluticasone+salmeterol may cause some common side effects, including nausea, vomiting, respiratory tract infection, headache, sore throat, cough, bone, muscle, or joint pain, increased heart rate, chills, black or tarry stools, and noisy breathing. Most of these side effects of Fluticasone+salmeterol do not require medical attention and typically resolve on their own over time. However, if the side effects persist, contact your doctor.
Fluticasone+salmeterol is not addictive. It is a very effective and useful medication for people suffering from breathing difficulties due to asthma and COPD.
Taking Fluticasone+salmeterol more frequently than prescribed will not make it more effective and can increase the risk of side effects. It is essential to use this medication exactly as directed by your doctor to manage your asthma or COPD effectively.
When using Fluticasone+salmeterol, following certain precautions is essential to ensure safe and effective use. Follow your doctor's instructions, and do not use it for sudden asthma attacks. Instead, use a rescue inhaler as your doctor advises. Additionally, rinse your mouth with water after inhaling to prevent fungal infections. Avoid asthma triggers, such as dust, pollen, or smoke, and store the inhaler correctly, out of the reach of children, pets, and extreme temperatures. Inform your doctor about other medications, supplements, or vitamins you're taking, and regularly monitor for side effects, such as increased heart rate, tremors, or mood changes.
Fluticasone+salmeterol should be stored below 30°C and kept away from moisture. Keep out of the reach of children. Always follow the storage instructions provided on the packaging or by your healthcare provider.
