Flovent (Fluticasone) is a corticosteroid used to treat asthma. This medicine is also used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not stop an asthma attack once one has started. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Flovent is a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammatory reactions in the airways in response to allergens and irritants in the air.
Flovent is used to prevent bronchial asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.
Flovent may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not use Flovent to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use another, faster-acting inhalation medication to treat an asthma attack.
Contact your doctor if your asthma symptoms do not improve after using Flovent for 2 weeks.
Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well as usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.
Your dosage needs may change if you have surgery, are ill, are under stress, or have recently had an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks.
If you were switched from an oral (taken by mouth) steroid to Flovent, you may need to go back to taking the oral medicine if you are under stress or have an asthma attack or other medical emergency. Carry an identification card or wear a medical alert ID to let others know that you may need an oral steroid in an emergency.
You should not use Flovent if you are allergic to fluticasone.
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 Flovent until you are well.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using Flovent, 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 Flovent without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Flovent can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 4 years old without the advice of a doctor.
Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis.
