Formoterol+fluticasone
About Formoterol+fluticasone
Fluticasone+formoterol is used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes) and emphysema (shortness of breath). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
Fluticasone+formoterol is a combination of two medicines: Formoterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (corticosteroids). Formoterol is a long-acting beta-agonist that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Formoterol makes breathing easier by widening the airways. Fluticasone acts by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways. Thereby, it provides relief from sneezing, runny or blocked nose and sinus discomfort. It helps to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children.
Your doctor will advise on how often you take Fluticasone+formoterol based on your medical condition. The common side effects of Fluticasone+formoterol include nausea, vomiting, respiratory tract infection, headache, sore throat, cough, bone, muscle or joint pain, increased heart rate, chills, tiredness and noisy breathing. Most of these side effects of Fluticasone+formoterol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not use Fluticasone+formoterol to treat sudden severe symptoms of asthma or as a rescue inhaler. Brief your medical history if you have heart, liver, or kidney diseases, high blood pressure, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), aneurysm (swelling of an artery), pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour), hyperadrenocorticism (high levels of cortisol), cataract and glaucoma, chickenpox or measles, immune system problem, seizure (fits), osteoporosis, and diabetes before taking Fluticasone+formoterol. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines. Fluticasone+formoterol is not recommended for children below five years of age.
Uses of Formoterol+fluticasone
Medicinal Benefits
Fluticasone+formoterol is used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fluticasone+formoterol improves pulmonary function and effectively treats and prevents the worsening of emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes). Fluticasone+formoterol is a combination of Formoterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (corticosteroid). Formoterol relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. It makes breathing easier by widening the airways. Fluticasone acts by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways. Fluticasone has potent vasoconstrictive (narrowing of the blood vessels) and anti-inflammatory activity.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Formoterol+fluticasone
Nausea
Vomiting
Respiratory tract infection
Headache
Sore throat
Cough
Bone, muscle or joint pain
Increased heart rate
Chills
Tiredness
Noisy breathing
Drug Warnings
Do not stop taking this medicine of your own unless advised by your doctor. Please do not use Fluticasone+formoterol to treat sudden severe symptoms of asthma or as a rescue inhaler. Before taking Fluticasone+formoterol, let your doctor know if have a history of heart, liver, kidney diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical conditions. Special precautions should be taken in patients with a fungal, bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection and tuberculosis since nasal or inhaled corticosteroids like Fluticasone can cause secondary infections. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Fluticasone+formoterol as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. Please let your doctor know if you plan to become pregnant or are already pregnant and a lactating mother. Fluticasone+formoterol is not recommended for children below five years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Fluticasone+formoterol may interact with fluid retention drugs (furosemide), corticosteroids (budesonide, mometasone, beclomethasone), bronchodilators (vilanterol, salmeterol, albuterol), respiratory drugs (ipratropium), drugs treating irregular heartbeat (sotalol) and blood pressure medicines (metoprolol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Fluticasone+formoterol may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid intake of grapefruit while being treated with Fluticasone+formoterol.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have any allergic reactions to medicines, heart, liver, kidney diseases, high blood pressure, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), aneurysm (swelling of an artery), pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor), hyperadrenocorticism (high levels of cortisol), eye disorders like cataract and glaucoma, chickenpox or measles, immune system problem, seizure (fits), osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) and diabetes, please inform your doctor before using Fluticasone+formoterol.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can worsen your side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Fluticasone+formoterol in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience drowsiness and increased/uneven heart rate while using Fluticasone+formoterol. This may affect your ability to drive. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.
Liver
cautionFluticasone+formoterol should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Fluticasone+formoterol.
Kidney
cautionFluticasone+formoterol should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Fluticasone+formoterol.
Children
cautionFluticasone+formoterol is not recommended for use for children less than five years of age. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending upon the condition of the child's disease and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
Know your triggers like allergens, such as pollen, dust and food items that make your asthma severe.
Quit smoking and avoid passive smoking. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of the medicine.
Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
Special Advise
It is advised to undergo blood examination to keep a check on your potassium levels since Fluticasone+formoterol can cause low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalaemia).
Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while using Fluticasone+formoterol since bronchodilators like Formoterol can cause low blood glucose levels.
Consult your diabetologist if you have diabetes before using Fluticasone+formoterol so that your insulin or other diabetic medication can be adjusted accordingly to maintain your blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than 2 times in a week and up to 4 nights in a month, whereas, in the case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises and self-care.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Fluticasone+formoterol is used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes) and emphysema (shortness of breath).
Fluticasone+formoterol is used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Fluticasone+formoterol consists of Formoterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (Fluticasone). Formoterol relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Fluticasone acts by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways.
Fluticasone+formoterol should be cautiously administered under doctor's guidance in seizures since bronchodilators like Formoterol can cause central nervous system stimulation that can lead to other adverse conditions. Please consult your doctor before using Fluticasone+formoterol if you have seizures.
Fluticasone+formoterol contains bronchodilator (Fluticasone), which can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence therapy with Fluticasone+formoterol is cautiously administered in patients with diabetes. Please monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly.
Bronchodilator (Formoterol) in Fluticasone+formoterol may decrease the potassium levels in your body, therefore should be used with caution. Please consult your doctor before taking Fluticasone+formoterol since low potassium levels can lead to other cardiovascular problems in patients with hypokalaemia.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Formoterol in Fluticasone+formoterol may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Fluticasone+formoterol to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on a sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Fluticasone+formoterol is not recommended for use when you are taking Sotalol or vice versa. Sotalol and Fluticasone+formoterol have opposing effects in the body. Sotalol may also trigger asthma attacks or worsen your breathing problems by narrowing the airways. Please consult your doctor before using other medicines with Fluticasone+formoterol.
Fluticasone+formoterol is not used for sudden breathing problems; your doctor may suggest a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems.
Fluticasone+formoterol is a combination medication used to manage and prevent symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains two active ingredients: fluticasone and formoterol.
Fluticasone+formoterol is a controller medication. It helps control and prevent asthma and COPD symptoms rather than providing immediate relief during an acute attack.
Yes, Fluticasone+formoterol contains a steroid. One of the active ingredients fluticasone is a corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation in the airways.
Yes, Fluticasone+formoterol may increase the heart rate. Fluticasone+formoterol contains formoterol which might activate receptors in the heart, leading to palpitations or a quicker heartbeat in some people. Consult the doctor if you experience palpitations or increased heart rate.
The side effects of Fluticasone+formoterol include nausea, vomiting, headache, increased heart rate, respiratory tract infection, sore throat, cough, bone, muscle, or joint pain, chills, tiredness, and noisy breathing. Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
No, Fluticasone+formoterol is not addictive. It is not a habit-forming medication.
No, Fluticasone+formoterol will not be more effective if taken more frequently. Increasing the dosage or frequency can increase the risk of side effects. So, use this medication as prescribed by the doctor.
Use Fluticasone+formoterol only if the doctor has prescribed it; it should not be used for sudden attacks. Limit your alcohol consumption because it can raise blood pressure and cause heart disease. Inform your doctor if you have any medication allergies, heart, liver, or kidney problems, high blood pressure, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), aneurysm (artery swelling), pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour), hyperadrenocorticism (high cortisol levels), eye conditions such as cataract and glaucoma, chickenpox or measles, immune system issues, seizures (fits), osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), and diabetes.
Fluticasone+formoterol can be stored in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. Keep it out of sight and reach of children.
