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Fluticasone (floo-TIK-a-sone) belongs to the family of medicines known as corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines). It is used to help prevent the symptoms of asthma. When used regularly every day, inhaled fluticasone decreases the number and severity of asthma attacks. However, it will not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.

Inhaled fluticasone works by preventing certain cells in the lungs and breathing passages from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms.

This medicine may be used with other asthma medicines, such as bronchodilators (medicines that open up narrowed breathing passages) or other corticosteroids taken by mouth.

Special precautions

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For inhaled fluticasone, the following should be considered:

Allergies—tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to fluticasone. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, especially milk, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Inhaled fluticasone has not been studied in pregnant women. However, in animal studies, fluticasone given by injection was shown to cause birth defects. Also, too much use of corticosteroids during pregnancy may cause other unwanted effects in the infant, such as slower growth and reduced adrenal gland function.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether inhaled fluticasone passes into breast milk. However, in animals given fluticasone by injection, the medicine did pass into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Corticosteroids taken by mouth or injection have been shown to slow or stop growth in children and cause reduced adrenal gland function. If enough fluticasone is absorbed following inhalation, it is possible it also could cause these effects. Your doctor will want you to use the lowest possible dose of fluticasone that controls asthma. This will lessen the chance of an effect on growth or adrenal gland function. It is also important that children taking fluticasone visit their doctors regularly so that their growth rates may be monitored. Children who are taking this medicine may be more susceptible to infections, such as chickenpox or measles. Care should be taken to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles

Older adults—Inhaled fluticasone has been studied in elderly patients and has not been found to cause different side effects or other problems than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Other medical problems—the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of inhaled fluticasone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Herpes simplex (virus) infection of the eye or

• Infections (virus, bacteria, or fungus)—Inhaled fluticasone may make these infections worse

• Tuberculosis (active or history of)—Inhaled fluticasone may cause this infection to start up again

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

• White patches in mouth and throat 

• Diarrhea;  ear ache;  fever;  lower abdominal pain;  nausea;  pain on passing urine;  redness or discharge of the eye, eyelid, or lining of the eye;  shortness of breath;  sore throat;  trouble in swallowing;  vaginal discharge (creamy white) and itching;  vomiting 

• Blindness, blurred vision, eye pain;  large hives;  bone fractures;  diabetes mellitus [increased hunger, thirst, or urination];  excess facial hair in women;  fullness or roundness of face, neck, and trunk;  growth reduction in children or adolescents;  heart problems;  high blood pressure;  hives and skin rash;  impotence in males;  lack of menstrual periods;  muscle wasting;  numbness and weakness of hands and feet;  weakness ;  swelling of face, lips, or eyelids;  tightness in chest, troubled breathing, or wheezing 

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• Cough;  general aches and pains or general feeling of illness;  greenish-yellow mucus in nose ;  headache;  hoarseness or other voice changes;  loss of appetite;  runny, sore, or stuffy nose;  unusual tiredness;  weakness 

• Bloody mucus or unexplained nosebleeds;  dizziness;  eye irritation;  feeling 'faint';  giddiness;  irregular or painful menstrual periods;  irritation due to inhalant;  joint pain;  migraines;  mouth irritation;  muscle soreness, sprain, or strain;  sneezing;  stomach pain or burning 

• Aggression;  agitation;  bruising;  depression;  itching;  restlessness;  weight gain 

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Don’t let anyone else take your medicines.