General Info: Uses and Effects

It is used as inhalant drug for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis. It is generally not required for patients whose asthma can be treated easily with usage of short acting inhalers. Fluticasone belongs to a class of corticosteroids which help in controlling asthma attacks by not allowing the breathing passage and lungs to create symptoms related to asthma and opening the breathing airways. It helps in easy breathing by opening up the breathing airways. Salmeterol belongs to the family of long-acting beta agonists. The drug needs long term usage for efficacy and is not meant for quick relief such as treating shortness of breath or asthma attacks. When smaller doses of Fluticasone is used the chances of having side effects reduces and with by the drug in higher dosages it can cause side effects in different parts of the body.

Contraindication: Important to Know

Before the usage of the drug the patients should inform their doctor about any allergies to Fluticasone or Salmeterol and about any other substances, drugs, foods. One is advised to duly inform the doctor about the details of the allergy like the indications which may relate to shortness of breath, wheezing, itching, rashes, cough, swelling of face. If any other drug similar to Fluticasone or Salmeterol is being used, this should also be informed. Consumption of prescription drugs, vitamins, drugs related to HIV, depression or infection are advisable along with Fluticasone or Salmeterol and this should be informed also, in fact, prior information to the pharmacist or the doctor about any other drug being used is recommended as there are many other drugs that should not be combined. If you are a patient of high blood sugar it may increase your sugar levels, long term use may also cause cataracts and glaucoma for which eye tests are also advisable, osteoporosis may also be caused due to long term usage for which a bone density test is advisable. Avoid close contact with those who use this drug and are suffering from diseases like chicken pox and measles. If the patient is sixty five years or older the chances of having side effects may increase. The drug may affect usual growth in children and younger people. The doctor should necessary be informed about a pregnant patient or one who plans on being pregnant in future as the drug may have side effects. Breast-feeding mothers are also advised to consult a doctor before usage of this drug. If there is shortness of breath the doctor should be immediately informed and the drug should not used more than the required dosage as excess usage has been known to cause deaths. The drug usually takes 1 week for it to show its effectiveness.

Instructions on taking

Using it at specific time helps the patient remember when to use it. However the dosage is not supposed to be increased and consulting a doctor before usage is advised. If the patient is using any other short relief drug inhaler or different corticosteroid drug, it is advised to continue with such usage unless advised by the doctor otherwise. In case the patient has forgotten the usual dosage, the regular routine should be followed and extra dosage should not be taken to compensate. Two dosages should not be taken at once.

Dosage

The Dosage is determined as per ones medical condition, age and how the drug affects them. It is mostly used on a regular basis at evenly timed periods.

For adult chronic pulmonary disease patients: The dosage is 25/50 mcg, one inhalation two times per day which should be set twelve hours separately from each intake. This is the only medically determined dosage and increased dosage is not advised. On occurrence of shortness of breath, it is advised to intake short relief beta 2-agonist.

For adult asthma patients:

Inhalation Powder: Fluticasone - Salmeterol 100/50 mg or 500/50mcg: One inhalation to be taken twice on a day to day routine, where the maximum dosage is 500 and Salmeterol 50mcg twice a day.

Inhalation aerosol: The dosage is 45/21 mcg, 115/21 mcg, or 230/21 mcg with inhalation twice a day and the highest dosage for Salmeterol is 31 mcg and 230 mcg for Fluticasone two times a day. The inhalations should be taken after interval of twelve hours depending on the seriousness of the asthma.

Normal pediatric dose for Asthma patients:

The inhalation powder is not advisable for patients below four years of age for patients in the age group of 4-11 years 100/50 mcg of Fluticasone/Salmeterol can be inhaled one two times a day.

For patients 12 years older 100/50 mcg, 250/50 mcg or 500/50 mcg is advised twice a day where the maximum dosage is Fluticasone 500 mcg and Salmeterol 50 mcg two times a day. The aerosol is not recommended which is not approved.

Side Effects

On having any of the side effects the patient is advised to contact a doctor as soon as possible. Some of the side effects may also occur with over dosage: The side effects are:

• Bronchospasm;
• Taste changes;
• Reactions to skin;
• Taste changes;
• Blurred vision;
• White patches on tongue and mouth, infections;
• Chest pain, fast heartbeats;
• Shakiness;
• Dizziness, indications of high blood pressure;
• Voice changes;
• Seizures;
• Increased weight;
• Indications of Common cold;
• Peculiar bleeding or bruising;
• Vomiting;
• Glands swelling;
• Irritation in throat;
• Nervousness;
• Having low potassium levels of muscle pain, cramps;
• Having a weak adrenal gland.

If the symptoms or health issues do not improve it is always advisable to seek medical attention and not share the drugs with anyone or intake someone else's drug. The drug has medication guide which should be understood before usage.

Interaction with Other Drugs

Around 776 drugs comprising of 4700 generic as well as brand named drugs interact with Fluticasone and Salmeterol. These can be divided to 57 major drugs, 700 moderate drugs as well as 19 other minor drug interactions. Apart from this there is also one indication for food and alcohol influence on the drug effect.