Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate
About
Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is a combination medication primarily used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes).
Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is a combination of two medicines, namely: Formoterol fumarate (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone propionate (corticosteroids). Formoterol fumarate is a long-acting beta-agonist that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Thereby making breathing easier by widening the airways. Fluticasone propionate acts by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways. Thereby, it provides relief from sneezing, runny or blocked nose and sinus discomfort.
Use Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate as advised by the doctor. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on your medical condition. The common side effects of Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate include nausea, vomiting, respiratory tract infection, headache, sore throat, cough, bone, muscle or joint pain, increased heart rate, chills, tiredness and noisy breathing. Most of these side effects of Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not use Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate to treat sudden severe asthma symptoms or as a rescue inhaler. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines. Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is not recommended for children below five years of age. If you experience severe difficulty in breathing, please consult a doctor immediately so that alternative medicine may be prescribed. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood.
Uses of Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate
Medicinal Benefits
Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate improves pulmonary function and effectively treats and prevents the worsening of emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes). Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is a combination of Formoterol fumarate and Fluticasone propionate. Formoterol fumarate is a long-acting β₂ agonist and bronchodilator. It relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. It makes breathing easier by widening the airways. Fluticasone propionate belongs to the class of corticosteroids. It acts by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways. Together, Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate helps treat asthma and COPD.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Respiratory tract infection
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Bone, muscle or joint pain
- Increased heart rate
- Chills
- Tiredness
- Noisy breathing
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not stop taking this medicine of your own unless advised by your doctor. Before taking Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate, let your doctor know if you have a history of heart, liver, kidney diseases, high blood pressure, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), aneurysm (swelling of an artery), pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour), hyperadrenocorticism (high levels of cortisol), eye disorders like cataract and glaucoma, chickenpox or measles, immune system problem, seizure (fits), osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) and diabetes. Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate may cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood). Therefore they should be used with caution in patients with hypokalaemia to prevent any cardiovascular effects. Special precautions should be taken in patients with a fungal, bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection and tuberculosis since nasal or inhaled corticosteroids like Fluticasone propionate can cause secondary infections. Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and inform your doctor if you already have diabetes before using Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate. Please let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is not recommended for children below five years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate may interact with fluid retention drugs (e.g. furosemide), corticosteroids (e.g. budesonide, mometasone, beclomethasone), bronchodilators (e.g. vilanterol, salmeterol, albuterol), respiratory drugs (e.g. ipratropium), drugs treating irregular heartbeat (e.g. sotalol) and blood pressure medicines (e.g. metoprolol).
Drug-Food Interactions: Limit alcohol intake since it may cause a rise in blood pressure leading to heart diseases.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have any allergic reactions to medicines, heart, liver, kidney diseases, high blood pressure, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), aneurysm (swelling of an artery), pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour), hyperadrenocorticism (high levels of cortisol), eye disorders like cataract and glaucoma, chickenpox or measles, immune system problem, seizure (fits), osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) and diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can worsen your side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you plan to conceive or are already pregnant before starting Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedFormoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is unlikely to affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate.
Children
cautionFormoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is not recommended for use in children less than five years of age. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending upon the condition and age of the child.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over-the-counter medicines, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate.
- Know your triggers like allergens, such as pollen, dust and food items that make your asthma severe.
- Quit smoking and avoid passive smoking. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
- Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
Special Advise
- It is advised to undergo a blood examination to check your potassium levels since Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate can cause low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalaemia).
- Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while using Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate since bronchodilators like Formoterol fumarate can cause low blood glucose levels.
- Consult your diabetologist if you have diabetes before using Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate so that your insulin or other diabetic medication doses can be adjusted accordingly to maintain your blood sugar levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, especially at night. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises and self-care.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate consists of Formoterol fumarate (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone propionate (Fluticasone). Formoterol fumarate relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Fluticasone propionate acts by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways. Together, Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate helps treat asthma and COPD.
Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate may raise blood glucose levels. Therefore, please consult your doctor if you are diabetic. Please monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly.
Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate may decrease the potassium levels in your body. Please consult your doctor before taking Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate since low potassium levels can lead to other cardiovascular problems in patients with hypokalaemia.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule.
Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate to experience this side effect. However, to avoid dry mouth, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on sugarless candy. If the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.
Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is not recommended for use when taking Sotalol or vice versa. Sotalol and Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate have opposing effects on the body. Sotalol may also trigger asthma attacks or worsen breathing problems by narrowing the airways. Please consult your doctor before using other medicines with Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate.
No, Formoterol Fumarate+fluticasone Propionate is not used for sudden breathing problems; your doctor may suggest a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems.
