General Information and Indications:
Fluticasone nasal spray is used to treat
the symptoms of seasonal (occurs only at certain times of year), and
perennial (occurs all year round) allergic rhinitis and perennial
nonallergic rhinitis. These symptoms include sneezing and stuffy, runny, or
itchy nose. Fluticasone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids.
It works by preventing and decreasing inflammation (swelling that can cause
other symptoms) in the nose.
Information For Users:
Fluticasone comes as a liquid to spray in the nose. It is
usually sprayed in each nostril once daily or twice daily in the morning and
evening. It is sometimes used only as needed to treat symptoms. Follow the
directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you
have any questions. Use fluticasone exactly as directed. Do not use more or
less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Fluticasone nasal spray is only for use in the nose. Do not swallow the
nasal spray or spray it in your eyes.
Your doctor will probably start you on a high dose of fluticasone nasal
spray and may decrease your dose after your symptoms are controlled.
Fluticasone nasal spray controls the symptoms of rhinitis but does not cure
the condition. Your symptoms will probably not begin to improve for at least
12 hours after you first use fluticasone, and it may take several days or
longer before you feel the full benefit of fluticasone. Fluticasone works
best when used regularly. Use fluticasone on a regular schedule unless your
doctor has told you to use it as needed. Continue to use fluticasone even if
you feel well. Do not stop using fluticasone without informing your doctor.
Each bottle of fluticasone nasal spray is designed to provide 120 sprays.
The bottle might not be empty after 120 sprays have been used, but each
spray might not contain the correct amount of medication. You should keep
track of the number of sprays you have used and throw away the bottle after
you have used 120 sprays even if it still contains some liquid.
To use the nasal spray, follow these steps:
o Shake the bottle gently.
o Remove the dust cover.
o If you are using the pump for the first time or have not used it for a
week or more, you must prime it by following steps 4–5 below. If you have
used the pump in the past week, skip to step 6.
o Hold the pump with the applicator between your forefinger and middle
finger and the bottom of the bottle resting on your thumb. Point the
applicator away from your body.
o If you are using the pump for the first time, press down and release the
pump six times. If you have used the pump before, but not within the past
week, press down and release the pump until you see a fine spray.
o Blow your nose until your nostrils are clear.
o Hold one nostril closed with your finger.
o Tilt your head slightly forward and carefully put the nasal applicator
into your other nostril. Be sure to keep the bottle upright.
o Hold the pump with the applicator between your forefinger and middle
finger and the bottom resting on your thumb.
o Begin to breathe in through your nose.
o While you are breathing in, use your forefinger and middle finger to press
firmly down on the applicator and release a spray.
o Breathe gently in through the nostril and breathe out through your mouth.
o If your doctor told you to use two sprays in that nostril, repeat steps
6-12.
o Repeat steps 6-13 in the other nostril.
o Wipe the applicator with a clean tissue and cover it with the dust cover.
special precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to
fluticasone, or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking or have recently taken. Be sure to mention any of the following:
amiodarone (Cordarone); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan),
itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet);
clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine);
delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); fluoxetine
(Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease inhibitors such as
indinavir (Crixivan) nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir) and
saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); metronidazole (Flagyl);
nefazodone (Serzone); oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oral
steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol),
and prednisone (Deltasone); paroxetine (Paxil); steroids that are inhaled by
mouth such as beclomethasone (QVAR), budesonide (Pulmicort), flunisolide (Aerobid),
fluticasone (Flovent), and triamcinolone (Azmacort); troleandomycin (TAO);
verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and zafirlukast (Accolate).
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you
carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding tuberculosis (a type of
infection) in your lungs, cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye), or
glaucoma (an eye disease), and if you now have sores in your nose, any type
of untreated infection, or a herpes infection (a type of infection that
causes a sore on the eyelid or eye surface) in your eye. Also Inform your
doctor if you have recently had surgery on your nose or injured your nose in
any way.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking fluticasone, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking fluticasone.
o if you have been taking oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron,
Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Pediapred, Prelone) or
prednisone (Deltasone), your doctor may want to gradually decrease your
steroid dose after you begin using fluticasone. Special caution is needed
for several months as your body adjusts to the change in medication. If you
have any other medical conditions, such as arthritis, or eczema (a skin
disease), they may worsen when your oral steroid dose is decreased. Inform
your doctor if this happens or if you experience any of the following
symptoms during this time: extreme tiredness, muscle weakness or pain;
sudden pain in stomach, lower body or legs; loss of appetite (anorexia);
weight loss; upset stomach; vomiting; diarrhea; dizziness; fainting;
depression; irritability; and darkening of skin. Your body may be less able
to cope with stress such as surgery, illness, severe asthma attack, or
injury during this time. Call your doctor right away if you get sick and be
sure that all health care providers who treat you know that you recently
replaced your oral steroid with fluticasone inhalation. Carry a card or wear
a medical identification bracelet to let emergency personnel know that you
may need to be treated with steroids in an emergency.
o you should know that fluticasone may decrease your ability to fight
infection. Stay away from people who are sick and wash your hands often. Be
especially careful to stay away from people who have chicken pox or measles.
Inform your doctor right away if you find out that you have been around
someone who hads one of these viruses.
You should clean your nasal spray applicator once a week.
You will need to remove the dust cap and then pull on the applicator to
remove it from the bottle. Wash the dust cap and applicator in warm water,
let them dry at room temperature, and then put them back on the bottle. If
the applicator is clogged, soak it in warm water and then rinse it in cold
water and dry it. Do not use pins or other sharp objects to remove the
blockage.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Fluticasone may cause adverse effects. Inform
your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o headache
o nosebleed (epistaxis)
o burning or irritation in the nose
o runny nose
o bloody mucus in nose
o cough
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o stomach pain
o diarrhea
o dizziness
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o painful white patches in nose or throat
o flu-like symptoms
o sore throat
o vision problems
o injury to nose
o new or increased acne (pimples)
o easy bruising
o enlarged face and neck
o extreme tiredness
o muscle weakness
o irregular menstruation (periods)
o hives (Urticaria)
o rash
o itching
o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or
lower legs
o hoarseness
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o wheezing
Fluticasone may cause children to grow more slowly. It is not known whether
using fluticasone decreases the final adult height that children will
reach.Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving this medication
to your child.
Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
Using too much fluticasone on a regular basis
over a long period of time may cause the following symptoms:
o enlarged face and neck
o new or worsening acne
o easy bruising
o extreme tiredness
o muscle weakness
o irregular menstrual periods
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o weight loss
o irritability
o depression
o fainting or dizziness when standing up from a sitting or lying position
o darkening of skin
Brand Name(s):
o Flonase® Nasal Spray |
