Flixotide

• Inhalation medicine (puffer)
• Used to treat asthma and COPD
• Preventer, use every day
• Also suitable for use in children

Flixotide is an inhalation medicine. It contains the active ingredient fluticasone propionate. Fluticasone propionate belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids (often just called steroids). Flixotide works by reducing swelling and irritation in the lungs. It has what is called an ‘anti-inflammatory action’.

Flixotide is prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When used every day, Flixotide helps to ease breathing problems and prevent asthma attacks.

Flixotide needs to be used every day, even if you have no asthma symptoms. This is because Flixotide is a type of asthma medicine known as a ‘preventer’. A different medicine is used for treating sudden attacks (called a ‘reliever’). It takes a few days for this medicine to start to work. Flixotide is most effective after several weeks of use.

Flixotide is available as a spray, powder and nebuliser solution. The medicine is inhaled with an inhaler (spray), diskus (powder) or nebuliser (nebuliser solution). Consult the package leaflet for detailed instructions. Follow these instructions closely.

It is important to space the doses (puffs) evenly throughout the day, preferably in the morning and evening.

Dosage

Dosage is determined by a doctor for each specific patient depending on the condition and symptoms. The general dosage guidelines are as follows:

For asthma

• Adults and adolescents aged 16 years and above: 100 to 500 micrograms twice a day. Your doctor may increase this dose to get your symptoms under control.
• Children aged 4 to 16: 50 to 200 micrograms twice a day.
• Children aged 1 to 4: The medicine is usually breathed in using a spacer device (Babyhaler). Dosage should be determined by a doctor.

For COPD

• Adults: 500 micrograms twice a day. Only the Flixotide Diskus 500 inhaler is suitable for the treatment of COPD.

Alcohol/driving

This medicine does not interact with alcohol. Flixotide does not affect your ability to drive.

If you use too much/forget to use/stop using Flixotide

If you use more puffs than prescribed by your doctor, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to use Flixotide, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.

Do not stop using Flixotide without talking to your doctor.

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of the ingredients (see section 'What Flixotide contains').

When should this medicine be used with caution?

• If you are taking other corticosteroid medicines for allergy, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. Switching from steroid tablets to a puffer must be done gradually. Never decide unilaterally to discontinue the use of your old medicine.
• If you use high doses of Flixotide for a long time, the way steroids are produced by your body may be affected. This can cause children and adolescents to grow more slowly as well as other side effects (see the package leaflet). Your doctor will want to see you (or your child) regularly to monitor the effects of this medicine.
• Consult a doctor before taking this medicine if you have ever been treated for diabetes, tuberculosis (TB) or a fungal infection in the mouth (thrush).
• If you find your medicine is not working as well as before or your breathing suddenly gets worse after inhaling your medicine, go and see your doctor. In the latter case, you should stop using Flixotide immediately, use your reliever and seek medical advice urgently.

For more warnings, see the package leaflet.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before using Flixotide.

Other medicines and Flixotide

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal medicines. In particular tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Antiviral and antifungal medicines (e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole). Some of these medicines may increase the amount of fluticasone propionate in your body. This can increase your risk of experiencing side effects.
• Corticosteroids (taken by mouth or administered by injection). Recent use of these medicines may increase the risk of Flixotide affecting your adrenal gland.

Like all medicines, Flixotide can cause side effects, although some people may not experience any. Side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine include:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• Fungal infections in the mouth or throat (thrush). Problems with your mouth and throat can be reduced by rinsing your mouth with water straight after inhaling your dose.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Pneumonia (lung infection) in patients with COPD. Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: increased sputum production, change in sputum colour, fever, increased cough, increased breathing problems).
• Hoarseness.
• Bronchitis in patients with COPD.
• Bruising.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Allergic skin reactions.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Thrush (candidiasis) in the oesophagus.

See the package leaflet for a complete list of side effects. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you experience severe side effects. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

The active substance is fluticasone propionate.

Read the package leaflet before use. The official package leaflet of Flixotide Diskus is available for download here.