Flonase
Drug Name
Flonase or Flucticasone
Drug Uses
The drug Flonase is prescribed for the treatment of allergic and non -allergic nasal symptoms like sneezing, congestion, runny nose and itching.
How Taken
The drug should be taken as per the directions of a doctor.
- When the drug is used for the first time the inhaler should be primed by the patient. In order to prime the inhaler it should be shaken for 5 seconds. One test spray should be pumped into the air away from the face. In order to ensure that the inhaler is fully primed this should be repeated five times.
- The inhaler has to be reprimed if it is dropped or not used for more than four weeks. In order to reprime the inhaler it should be shaken again for 5 seconds and a test spray should be pumped into the air. This step should be repeated once in order to ensure that the inhaler is fully primed.
- Unless prescribed otherwise by the doctor, the mouthpiece should be placed between the lips with the tongue rested flat. The doctor may advise one to hold the inhaler at a distance of 1 or 2 inches that is about 2 or 3 centimeters from the open mouth or he or she may advise the patient to use a spacing device. When the patient takes a slow deep breath the canister and the mouthpiece should be pressed together at the same time in order to release the dose of Flonase. Breathing should be continued slowly and the breath held for as long as comfortable and than one should breathe out through pursued lips or nose. Those who use more than one inhalation should wait for about 30 seconds. The inhaler has to shaken once again to repeat the above and one should ensure to keep the inhaler away from the eyes.
- One should use Flonase the same time every day in order to remember to use it.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Flonase, a corticosteroid, reduces the inflammatory reactions in the nasal airway of a person that are caused by air irritants and allergens.
Missed Dose
In case a person misses a dose of Flonase he or she should take it as soon as possible. If it is time for the next dose than the missed dose should be skipped and the person should continue the regular dose that is normally taken. 2 doses should not be taken at one time.
Storage
Flonase should be kept out of the reach of pets and children and it should be kept in a temperature between 39 and 86 degrees F and 4 and 30 degrees C.
Warnings Precautions
Flonase should not be used if
* A person is allergic to any ingredient that is present in the drug Flonase.
The doctor or healthcare provider should be contacted if any of the above occurs to the person.
Important
- Caution should be exercised if one switches from an oral steroid like prednisone to Flonase. It may take many months for the patients’ body to create natural steroids to handle severe and fatal events like injury, surgery, infection loss of blood electrolytes or a sudden asthma attack that are caused by stress. The doctor must be consulted immediately if these events occur. The patient may need to be prescribed the oral steroid again and one should always carry a card prescribing that he needs oral steroids like prednisone.
- Before any emergency, dental care or surgery one should inform the doctor that he or she is on Flonase.
- One should avoid contact with any person who has chicken pox or measles if he or she has not suffered from these ailments before.
- One should not spray in the eyes.
- Flonase should not be recommended for children less than 4 years of age as effectiveness in children have not yet been confirmed.
- There may be certain effects of corticosteroid in some children and teenagers. One should conduct growth checks on a regular basis.
- Proscar is not intended for children as safety and effectiveness has not been proved.
- In case of pregnancy and breast feeding the doctor needs to be consulted when taking Flonase.
Possible Side Effects
The doctor needs to be consulted if any of these side effects occur:
* infection of the nose and throat; nasal irritation or burning; nausea; nosebleed; runny nose; sore throat; stomach pain; vomiting, aches and pains; asthma symptoms; bronchitis; changes in or loss of senses of smell and taste; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; fever; flu-like symptoms such as headache, tiredness, muscle aches and fever.
One needs immediate medical checks if the following sever side effects occur:
* 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, severe allergic reactions like rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
More Information
* The drug Flonase should only be used on the recommendation of a doctor and should not be shared. If there are no improvements after using the drug a doctor must be consulted immediately.