Do you or your child have asthma? Did your doctor prescribe a brown or orange inhaler and leave you feeling a bit confused about how to use it?
Feeling uncertain at first is completely normal. Do not worry, because today we will walk through everything you need to know about the Fluticasone inhaler, a very important medicine used to keep asthma under control.
Key Takeaways for Your Health
- Daily Controller: Fluticasone is a controller inhaler that you use every single day to prevent asthma symptoms.
- Not for Emergencies: This medicine cannot stop a sudden asthma attack. Always keep your fast-acting reliever inhaler nearby.
- Rinse Your Mouth: You must always rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after every single use to prevent oral thrush.
- Follow Your Doctor: Never stop taking this medicine just because you feel better unless your doctor tells you to do so.
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What Does This Inhaler Actually Do?
Simply put, Fluticasone is a medicine that stops asthma symptoms from starting. Think of the breathing tubes in your chest as tiny little roads inside your body.
When someone has asthma, these tubes become swollen, sensitive, and narrow on the inside. This swelling causes coughing, wheezing, and tight breathing.
Fluticasone belongs to a group of medicines called inhaled steroids. When you breathe it in, the medicine goes straight to your lungs to lower that swelling and fix your breathing tubes.
This makes taking deep breaths much easier for you every day. We call this type of medicine a controller inhaler because you use it daily to keep your asthma calm and steady.
Very Important: You cannot use this inhaler for a sudden asthma attack. For sudden attacks, you must use a quick-acting blue reliever inhaler instead. This medicine works over time to stop attacks before they start.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before Starting This Medicine
Before your doctor prescribes a Fluticasone inhaler, they need to know your complete medical history. Please tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following health conditions.
| Condition to Report | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eye problems | Clouding of the lens in your eye (cataracts) or high pressure inside your eye (glaucoma). |
| Immune system issues | If your body struggles to fight off common illnesses and infections. |
| Active infections | Especially viral infections like chickenpox or shingles, or any other active infection. |
| Mouth or throat sores | Any recent open wounds, ulcers, or surgeries inside your mouth or throat. |
| Weak bones (Osteoporosis) | If your bones are thin or weak, or if you have a family history of bone loss. |
| Other steroid use | If you currently take steroid pills like Prednisolone by mouth. |
| Pregnancy plans | If you are currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing a baby. |
| Allergies | Any past allergic reactions to Fluticasone, other medicines, or foods. |
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To get the best results from your medicine, you must use your inhaler correctly every single time. Follow these clear steps carefully.
1. Shake the inhaler well: Pick up your inhaler and shake it strongly for a few seconds before each use.
2. Breathe out fully: Sit or stand up straight, turn your head away from the inhaler, and breathe all the air out of your lungs.
3. Seal your lips and press: Put the mouthpiece between your teeth and seal your lips tightly around it. Press down firmly on the canister once while taking a slow, deep breath in.
4. Hold your breath: Take the inhaler out of your mouth and close your lips. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly.
5. Rinse your mouth (Mandatory!): Go to the sink right after taking your dose, rinse your mouth well with water, and spit the water out. This prevents a white fungal infection called thrush from growing in your mouth.
Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you every day. Do not stop taking your daily puffs just because you feel better today.
Using This Inhaler for Children
Doctors also prescribe this medicine for children over the age of four who struggle with asthma. You must supervise your child closely during every dose.
If your child finds it difficult to time their breath with the inhaler pump, ask your doctor about using a spacer device. A spacer makes breathing in the medicine much easier and safer for kids.
What Happens If You Take Too Much Dose?
If you accidentally take more puffs than your doctor prescribed, stay calm but act quickly. Call your local emergency number right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (ER) for help.
When to Call Emergency Services (911 / 999)
Get emergency medical help right away if you experience severe shortness of breath, blue lips or fingers, sudden chest pain, or if your rescue inhaler fails to relieve a severe asthma attack.
Things to Watch Out For While Using This Medicine
- Regular doctor visits: Keep all your follow-up appointments so your doctor can check your lung health. Tell them if your symptoms stay the same or get worse.
- Asthma Action Plan: Work with your doctor to write down a personal asthma action plan. This plan tells you what to do when your breathing enters the yellow warning zone or red danger zone.
- Infection risk: Steroids can lower your body's ability to fight off germs. Stay away from people with contagious illnesses and report any fever or body aches to your doctor.
- Bone health support: Long-term use of inhaled steroids can affect bone strength over many years. Talk to your doctor about eating healthy foods rich in calcium and vitamin D.
- Child growth tracking: If a child uses a high dose of this medicine for a long time, their growth rate might slow down slightly. Your pediatrician will check their height and weight regularly.
- Eye checkups: Long-term use carries a very small risk of eye issues like cataracts. Schedule routine eye exams with your eye doctor to stay safe.
What Side Effects Might Happen?
Like all medicines, this inhaler can cause side effects in some people, though many users experience no problems at all.
| Side Effect Type | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects (Call doctor) | Allergic skin rashes, itching, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or sudden breathing trouble right after puffing. |
| Oral thrush | White patches forming inside your mouth or on your tongue due to fungal growth. Rinsing your mouth prevents this. |
| Adrenal gland changes | Feeling unusually tired, dizzy, sick to your stomach, or losing your appetite over time. |
| Common mild effects | Hoarse voice, sore throat, mild cough, or a slight headache. These usually go away on their own. |
Other Medicines That May Interact With This Inhaler
Always tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, or herbal supplement you take. Certain drugs can change how Fluticasone works in your body.
- Certain antibiotic medicines such as Clarithromycin or Telithromycin.
- Specific antiviral medicines used to treat HIV or Hepatitis infections.
- Antifungal pills like Ketoconazole or Itraconazole.
- Nefazodone, which is a medicine used to treat depression.
How to Store Your Inhaler Correctly
Keep your inhaler safely stored out of the reach of young children and family pets. Store it at normal room temperature between 20°C and 25°C (68°F to 77°F) with the mouthpiece pointing downward.
Keep the inhaler away from direct sunlight, hot cars, and high moisture areas like steamy bathrooms. Check the built-in dose counter window regularly. When the counter reaches zero, or when the expiration date printed on the label passes, throw the inhaler away safely.
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