DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Fluticasone Nasal Spray (flue-TIK-a-sone)
Brand Name: Flonase

Fluticasone Spray is used for:

Treatment of allergic and nonallergic nasal symptoms including congestion, sneezing, itching, and runny nose.

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

Do NOT use Fluticasone Spray if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Fluticasone Spray

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Fluticasone Spray:

Some medical conditions may interact with Fluticasone Spray. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have recently experienced an ulcer of the nasal septum, nasal surgery, or nasal trauma
• if you have active or inactive tuberculosis or a positive skin test for tuberculosis
• if you have infections of the respiratory tract, untreated fungal or bacterial infections, parasitic or viral infections, measles, chickenpox, herpes simplex in or around the eye, or recently received a vaccination
• if you have diarrhea
• if you have glaucoma or cataracts

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fluticasone Spray. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Certain medicines that act on the liver (eg, protease inhibitors [eg, ritonavir], ketoconazole) because they may increase the actions and side effects of Fluticasone Spray

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fluticasone Spray may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fluticasone Spray:

Use Fluticasone Spray as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Fluticasone Spray. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Shake gently before each use.
• If needed, prime the spray pump according to the directions in the extra patient leaflet.
• 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 Fluticasone Spray, and should improve within a couple of days. The full benefit may not be achieved until you have used Fluticasone Spray for several days. If symptoms do not improve or if the condition worsens, contact your health care provider.
• Use Fluticasone Spray on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
• Using Fluticasone Spray at the same time each day will help you remember to use it.
• Continue to use Fluticasone Spray even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Fluticasone 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.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fluticasone Spray.

Important safety information:

• Use caution if you switch from an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) to Fluticasone 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 Fluticasone 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.
• Fluticasone 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 Fluticasone Spray.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Fluticasone Spray while you are pregnant. It is not known if Fluticasone Spray is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Fluticasone Spray, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Fluticasone Spray:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, 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.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

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.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Fluticasone Spray:

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

General information:

• If you have any questions about Fluticasone Spray, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Fluticasone 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.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fluticasone Spray. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.