Flovent

Drug Name

Flovent (Fluticasone Propionate)

Drug Uses

Flovent Spray is used for treatment of allergic and non-allergic nasal symptoms including congestion, sneezing, itching, and runny nose.

How Taken

Use Flovent Spray as directed by your doctor.

• Shake gently before each use.
• To use a nose spray, gently blow your nose. Sit down and tilt your head back slightly. Place the tip of the spray container into the nose. Using a finger from your other hand, press against the opposite nostril to close it off. Breathe gently through the open nostril and squeeze the spray container. If you are using more than 1 spray, wait for 1 to 2 minutes between sprays. After using the medicine, rinse the tip of the spray unit in hot water and dry with a clean tissue to prevent contamination.
• Symptoms can start to improve as soon as 12 hours after you start using Flovent Spray, and should improve within a couple of days. The full benefit may not be achieved until you have used Flovent Spray for several days.
• Use Flovent Spray on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
• Using Flovent Spray at the same time each day will help you remember to use it.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Flovent Spray is a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammatory reactions in the nasal airway in response to allergens and irritants in the air.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Flovent Spray, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Flovent Spray between 39 and 86 degrees F (4 and 30 degrees C). Keep Flovent Spray out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Flovent Spray if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Flovent Spray.

• Use caution if you switch from an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) to Flovent Spray. It may take several months for your body to make enough natural steroids to handle events that cause physical stress. Such events may include injury, surgery, infection, loss of blood electrolytes, or a sudden asthma attack. These may be severe and sometimes fatal. Contact your doctor right away if any of these events occur. You may need to take an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) again. Carry a card at all times that says you may need an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) if any of these events occur.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Flovent Spray before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• If you have not had chickenpox or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does.
• Avoid spraying in the eyes.
• Flovent Spray should not be used in children younger than 4 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in children and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use Flovent Spray.
• Proscar is not recommended for use in children; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Flovent Spray while you are pregnant. It is not known if Flovent Spray is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Flovent Spray, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• aches and pains; asthma symptoms; bronchitis; changes in or loss of senses of smell and taste; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; fever; flu-like symptoms (headache, tiredness, muscle aches, fever); infection of the nose and throat; nasal irritation or burning; nausea; nosebleed; runny nose; sore throat; stomach pain; vomiting.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); cataracts; growth suppression in children; hoarseness; increased pressure in the eye; infection or pain in the nose or throat; nasal septum perforation; repeated nosebleeds; voice changes.

More Information

Flovent Spray is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.