Flutide

Patients will need to be trained on the use of the inhaler and their asthma should be regularly reassessed by a doctor, so that the strength of this inhaler they are receiving remains optimal and is only changed on medical advice. The dose should be titrated to the lowest dose at which effective control of symptoms is maintained.

Patients should be given the strength of this inhaler containing the appropriate Fluticasone Propionate dosage for the severity of their disease.

Asthma:
Fluticasone Propionate 125 mcg & Formoterol Fumarate 5 mcg inhaler only

• The recommended dose for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above: Two inhalations (puffs) twice daily normally taken in the morning and in the evening.
• For adults only: The total daily dose can be further increased if asthma still remains poorly controlled by administering the highest strength of this combination product- i.e. Fluticasone Propionate 250 mcg & Formoterol Fumarate 10 mcg inhaler- two inhalations (puffs) twice daily. This highest strength is for use in adults only; it should not be used in adolescents aged 12 years and above.
• Children under 12 years: No data are available for this strength of this inhaler in children.
• This inhaler in any strength is not recommended for use in children less than 12 years of age.

Fluticasone Propionate 250 mcg & Formoterol Fumarate 10 mcg inhaler only

• The recommended dose for adults: Fluticasone Propionate 250 mcg & Formoterol Fumarate 10 mcg inhaler- two inhalations (puffs) twice daily normally taken in the morning and in the evening.
• Adolescents under 18 years and children: No data are available for this strength of this inhaler in children or adolescents. This inhaler in any strength is not recommended for use in children less than 12 years of age.
• This inhaler 250 microgram/10 microgram per actuation should not be used in adolescents.

COPD: Fluticasone Propionate 250 mcg & Formoterol Fumarate 10 mcg, two inhalations (puffs) twice daily normally taken in the morning and in the evening.

Undesirable effects which have been associated with this inhaler during clinical development are given in the table below, listed by system organ class. The following frequency categories form the basis for classification of the undesirable effects as: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 and <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 and <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 < 1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

There are no data available from clinical trials on overdose with this inhaler, however, data on overdose with both single drugs are given below:

FormoterolFumarate: An overdose of Formoterol would likely lead to an exaggeration of effects that are typical for ß2 agonists; in which case the following adverse experiences may occur: angina, hypertension or hypotension, palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, prolonged QTc interval, headache, tremor, nervousness, muscle cramps, dry mouth, insomnia, fatigue, malaise, seizures, metabolic acidosis, hypokalaemia, hyperglycaemia, nausea and vomiting.

Fluticasone Propionate: Acute overdose with Fluticasone Propionate usually does not constitute a clinical problem. The only harmful effect after inhalation of a large amount of the drug over a short period is suppression of hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical (HPA) axis function. HPA axis function usually recovers in a few days, as verified by plasma cortisol measurements. Treatment with the inhaled corticosteroid should be continued at the recommended dose to control asthma.

This inhaler (a pressurised inhalation, suspension) which contains two active ingredients:

• Fluticasone propionate which belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. Steroids help to reduce swelling and inflammation in the lungs.
• Formoterol fumarate dihydrate which belongs to a group of medicines called long-acting beta 2 agonists. Long-acting beta 2 agonists are long-acting bronchodilators which help the airways in your lungs to stay open, making it easier for you to breathe.

Together these two active ingredients help to improve your breathing. It is advised that you should use this medicine every day as directed by your doctor or asthma nurse.

This medicine helps to prevent breathing problems such as asthma and helps to stop you becoming breathless and wheezy. However, it does not work if you are already having an asthma attack i.e. you are already breathless and wheezing. You will need to use a fast acting ‘reliever’ medicine such as salbutamol if this happens.

Respiratory corticosteroids