Flonase
Generic Name: fluticasone nasal (floo TIK a sone)
Brand Names: Flonase, Veramyst
What is fluticasone nasal?
Fluticasone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause
inflammation.
Fluticasone nasal is used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny
nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.
Fluticasone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about fluticasone
nasal?
Before using fluticasone nasal, tell your doctor if you are using antibiotics such as
ketoconazole (Nizoral), or HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).
While using fluticasone nasal, tell your doctor if you have severe or ongoing nose bleed,
vision problems, sores in the nose that won't heal, or if you have fever, chills, body aches, or flu
symptoms.
Shake the medicine bottle well just before each use.
It may take up to several days of using this medicine before your symptoms improve.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week of treatment.
Store this medication in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture
and heat. Throw the medication away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still
medicine left in the bottle.
Fluticasone nasal can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid
being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if
you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in
people who are using fluticasone nasal.
Steroid medicines can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your
child is not growing at a normal rate while using fluticasone nasal.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using fluticasone
nasal?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have been sick or had an infection of
any kind. You may not be able to use fluticasone nasal until you are well.
Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
glaucoma or cataracts;
-
liver disease;
-
herpes simplex virus of your eyes;
-
tuberculosis or any other infection or illness;
-
sores or ulcers inside your nose; or
-
if you have recently had injury of or surgery on your nose.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to
an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether fluticasone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use fluticasone nasal without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Steroid medicines can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your
child is not growing at a normal rate while using fluticasone nasal.
How should I use fluticasone nasal?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in
larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
The usual dose of fluticasone nasal is 1 to 2 sprays into each nostril once per day.
Before using the spray for the first time, you must prime the spray pump. Shake the
medicine well and spray 6 test sprays into the air and away from your face. Prime the spray
pump any time you have not used your nasal spray for longer than 30 days, or if you have left the
cap off for 5 days or longer. Spray until a fine mist appears.
Shake the medicine bottle well just before each use.
It may take up to several days of using this medicine before your symptoms improve.
For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms
do not improve after a week of treatment.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects on your nose or sinuses, your
doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to
your doctor.
Store this medication in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture
and heat.
Throw the medication away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine
left in the bottle.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine.
An overdose of fluticasone nasal is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
However, long-term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy
bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and
waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.
What should I avoid while using fluticasone nasal?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water and
call your doctor.
Fluticasone nasal can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid
being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if
you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in
people who are using fluticasone nasal.
Fluticasone nasal side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
severe or ongoing nose bleed;
-
sores in the nose that won't heal;
-
vision problems; or
-
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
headache, back pain;
-
minor nose bleed;
-
menstrual problems, loss of interest in sex;
-
sinus pain, cough, sore throat; or
-
sores or white patches inside or around your nose.
This list is not complete and other side effects may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect fluticasone nasal?
Before using fluticasone nasal, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following
drugs:
-
certain antibiotics such as ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
-
HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with fluticasone nasal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluticasone nasal.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.06. Revision Date: 08/09/2007 10:20:36 PM.
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