FLUTIFORM inhaler - Medicines

1 FLUTIFORM inhaler Fluticasone propionate/eformoterol fumarate dihydrate Consumer medicine Information What is in this leaflet corticosteroids, frequently called dihydrate or any of the other 'steroids'. They are not 'anabolic ingredients listed at the end of this This leaflet answers some common steroids' which are sometimes leaflet. questions about FLUTIFORM misused by athletes. Corticosteroids Symptoms of an allergic reaction pressurised inhalation (" inhaler "). help to reduce swelling and may include wheezing, swelling of inflammation in the lungs. the lips/mouth or other parts of the It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the Eformoterol fumarate dihydrate body, difficulty in breathing, lumpy place of talking to your doctor or belongs to a group of Medicines rash ("hives") or fainting. pharmacist. known as long-acting beta-2- Do not give FLUTIFORM inhaler agonists. Beta-2-agonists help the to a child under 12 years, unless All Medicines have risks and airways in your lungs to stay open, directed to by the child's doctor.

2 Benefits. Your doctor has weighed making it easier for you to breathe. the risks of you using FLUTIFORM FLUTIFORM inhaler is not inhaler against the benefits they When used together regularly, recommended for use in children expect it will have for you. fluticasone propionate and under 12 years. The safety and eformoterol fumarate dihydrate help efficacy of FLUTIFORM inhaler If you have any concerns about to control your asthma symptoms and have not been assessed in children using this medicine , ask your prevent asthma attacks. under 12 years of age. doctor or pharmacist. FLUTIFORM inhaler is known as a Keep this leaflet with the medicine . Do not use FLUTIFORM inhaler 'preventer'. It does not work if you after the expiry date (EXP) printed You may need to read it again. are already having an asthma attack, you are already wheezing and on the pack. breathless. You will need to use a If you use it after the expiry date has fast acting 'reliever' medicine if this passed, it may not work very well.

3 What FLUTIFORM happens. Do not use it if the packaging is inhaler is used for Your doctor may have prescribed torn or shows signs of tampering. it for another reason. If you are not sure whether you FLUTIFORM inhaler is used to help Ask your doctor if you have any should be using FLUTIFORM . with asthma in people who need questions about why it has been inhaler , talk to your doctor or regular treatment. prescribed for you. pharmacist. Asthma is a disease where the lining FLUTIFORM inhaler is not of the lungs become inflamed (red addictive. Before you start to use it and swollen), making it difficult to Tell your doctor or pharmacist if This medicine is only available with breathe. This may be due to an you have allergies to any other a doctor's prescription. allergy to house dust mites, smoke, Medicines , foods, preservatives or air-borne pollution or other irritants. dyes. Symptoms of asthma include Tell your doctor or pharmacist if shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and cough.

4 Before you use you have or have had any of the FLUTIFORM inhaler following medical conditions: FLUTIFORM inhaler contains two heart problems or disease, an different Medicines called fluticasone propionate and eformoterol fumarate When you must not use it irregular heartbeat or if you have been told that your heart trace is dihydrate. Do not use FLUTIFORM inhaler if abnormal Fluticasone propionate belongs to a you are allergic to fluticasone group of Medicines known as propionate, eformoterol fumarate FLUTIFORM inhaler 1. an abnormal bulging of a blood buy without a prescription from medicine used to treat an vessel wall (aneurysm) your pharmacy, supermarket or underactive thyroid gland liver problems health food shop. (levothyroxine). diabetes Some Medicines and FLUTIFORM medicine to induce labour inhaler may interfere with each other. (oxytocin). high blood pressure These include: alcohol. glaucoma Medicines to treat depression or If you are going to have an operation an overactive thyroid gland mood/mental disorders (such as under a general anaesthetic, please adrenal glands not working monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tell the doctor at the hospital that you properly tricyclic antidepressants, are using this inhaler .)

5 Phenothiazines), or you have tumour of the adrenal gland These Medicines may be affected by taken any of these types of low blood levels of potassium. Medicines in the last two weeks or may affect FLUTIFORM inhaler . If you are taking these Medicines , Tell your doctor or pharmacist if Medicines known as beta- talk to your doctor or pharmacist who you currently have an infection. blockers, which may be used to will advise you on what to do. You If you use FLUTIFORM inhaler treat high blood pressure or may need to use different amounts of while you have an infection, the glaucoma including those that are your Medicines , or take different medicine may hide some of the signs eye drops Medicines . of an infection. This may make you Medicines used to treat high FLUTIFORM inhaler contains a very think, mistakenly, that you are better blood pressure or fluid build-up small amount of sodium or that it is not serious. Medicines used to treat heart cromoglycate, however patients who Tell your doctor or pharmacist if failure (such as digoxin) are currently using cromoglycate (to you have or have had tuberculosis treat conditions such as asthma, Medicines used to treat abnormal (TB).

6 Allergic rhinitis and allergic heart rhythms (such as quinidine, Tell your doctor or pharmacist if disopyramide, procainamide) conjunctivitis) should continue their you are pregnant or intend to normal medication. Medicines used to treat fungal become pregnant. Your doctor or pharmacist has more infections (such as ketoconazole, Your doctor or pharmacist will itraconazole) information on Medicines to be discuss the possible risks and careful with or avoid while using Medicines used to treat viral benefits of using FLUTIFORM FLUTIFORM inhaler . infections, including HIV (such inhaler during pregnancy. as ritonavir, atazanavir, indinavir, Tell your doctor or pharmacist if nelfinavir, saquinavir). you are breastfeeding or plan to Medicines used to treat bacterial How to use breastfeed. infections (antibiotics, such as FLUTIFORM inhaler Your doctor or pharmacist will clarithromycin, telithromycin, discuss the possible risks and furazolidone).

7 Benefits of using FLUTIFORM How much to use Medicines used to treat allergies, inhaler during breastfeeding. Follow the instructions given to hayfever, coughs, colds and Tell your doctor if you are going to runny nose you by your doctor and have an operation, or are feeling pharmacist. other Medicines containing stressed. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell steroids You may need additional steroid you exactly how much to use. certain other Medicines used to medicine during these times. Adults and adolescents 12 years treat asthma or breathing If you have not told your doctor or conditions (such as theophylline and older: pharmacist about any of the above, or aminophylline) Your doctor will decide what dose tell them before you use and what strength of FLUTIFORM . Medicines used for weight FLUTIFORM inhaler . inhaler you should use, depending on reduction purposes the severity of your asthma. Taking other Medicines medicine to treat Hodgkin's disease (procarbazine) The usual dose is two inhalations Tell your doctor or pharmacist if twice a day; two in the morning and you are taking any other medicine to treat Parkinson's two in the evening.

8 Disease (levodopa). Medicines , including any that you FLUTIFORM inhaler 2. Adolescents should not use the temperature, and then spray away highest strength inhaler from your face 2 times before use. ( FLUTIFORM inhaler 250 Using your inhaler : micrograms/10 micrograms). How to use it The instructions for using FLUTIFORM inhaler are given in this leaflet. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how to use FLUTIFORM . inhaler . The medicine is contained in an aerosol can (canister) (see Diagram 5. Hold your breath for as long as 1) which sits inside a plastic possible. Finally, remove the dispenser (also known as an inhaler from your mouth and actuator). The actuator also has a breathe out slowly. Do not dose counter to tell you how many breathe out into the inhaler . doses ("puffs") are left after each The medicine in FLUTIFORM . 6. Keep the inhaler in a vertical puff. Do not remove the canister inhaler must only be breathed into position for about half a minute from the actuator as this can interfere your lungs through the mouth.

9 And then shake the inhaler prior to with the dose counter. 1. Remove the mouthpiece cover slowly repeating Steps 2 to 5. and check that your mouthpiece is 7. Replace the mouthpiece cover. clean and free from any dust. The inhaler should be shaken Do not perform steps 2 to 5 too immediately before releasing quickly. each puff. If you see a 'mist' from the top of the 2. Sit upright or stand. Breathe out inhaler or around your mouth when slowly and as deeply as possible. you use your inhaler , then you may not have inhaled your medicine properly. Have another dose by repeating from Step 2 above. Always rinse your mouth out, gargle with water or brush your teeth after you have used your inhaler and spit out the residue. Before you use your inhaler for the This may help prevent you first time, or if it has not been used developing a hoarse voice or sore for more than 3 days, it needs to be mouth, throat or tongue. 'primed' to ensure it works If you have weak hands, it may be properly and gives you the correct easier to hold the inhaler in both dose.

10 Hands placing both index fingers on To 'prime' the inhaler : the canister and both thumbs on the 3. Hold your inhaler upright (as base of the inhaler . Remove the mouthpiece cover shown in Diagram 3) and put the and shake the inhaler well. mouthpiece in your mouth with If you have difficulty using your inhaler , your doctor may also Spray away from your face by your lips around it. Do not bite the mouthpiece. recommend a spacer, a device to help pressing down on the canister. you use your medicine properly. This step should be performed 4 4. Breathe in slowly and deeply times. through your mouth and, at the Your doctor or pharmacist will same time, press down on the advise you how to use your spacer Also, in case of freezing conditions, canister to release one puff. (as device with your inhaler . It should the inhaler must be primed. Allow 30. shown in Diagram 4) also come with instructions for use minutes warm up to room and care.