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Formoterol+fluticasone

About

Formoterol+fluticasone is a respiratory medication, primarily used to treat and prevent asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes) and emphysema (shortness of breath). 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 that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.

Formoterol+fluticasone is a combination of two medicines, namely: Formoterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (corticosteroids). Formoterol is a long-acting beta-agonist that relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Formoterol makes breathing easier by widening the airways. Fluticasone 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. It helps to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children.

Your doctor will advise on how often you take Formoterol+fluticasone based on your medical condition. The common side effects of Formoterol+fluticasone 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+fluticasone 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+fluticasone to treat sudden severe symptoms of asthma or as a rescue inhaler. Brief your medical history if you have heart, liver, kidney diseases, high blood pressure, hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood), aneurysm (swelling of an artery), pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor), hyperadrenocorticism (high levels of cortisol), cataract and glaucoma, chickenpox or measles, immune system problem, seizure (fits), osteoporosis, and diabetes before taking Formoterol+fluticasone. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines. Formoterol+fluticasone is not recommended for children below five years of age.

Uses of Formoterol+fluticasone

Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bronchitis and Emphysema.

Medicinal Benefits

Formoterol+fluticasone is used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Formoterol+fluticasone 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+fluticasone is a combination of Formoterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (corticosteroid). Formoterol relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. It makes breathing easier by widening the airways. Fluticasone acts by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways. Fluticasone has potent vasoconstrictive (narrowing of the blood vessels) and anti-inflammatory activity.

Directions for Use

Please read the instruction leaflet provided with the pack before using Formoterol+fluticasone. Inhaler: Hold the inhaler with the mouthpiece facing downwards. Form a tight seal by placing your lips around the mouthpiece. Start breathing slowly with your mouth and push down the inhaler once. Remove the inhaler and breathe normally. Rotacap: Rotacap is a capsule with powdered medication which is placed in Rotahaler. Rotahaler is a breath-activated plastic inhalation device which releases the medication when you breathe. Place the rotahaler between your teeth and seal it with your lips. Tilt your head slightly and breathe with your mouth deeply while you press the rotahaler. Remove the device and breathe out normally. Autohaler: Autohaler is a breath-activated device that releases the medication when you inhale. Shake the autohaler well before using. Hold it upright and push the lever up. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and seal your lips around it. Breathe in slowly and deeply to release the medication from the device. Hold your breath for 10 seconds and breathe out normally. Push the lever down and replace the cap. Capsule: The capsule should not be taken through the mouth. The capsule form contains powdered medication, which is to be inserted into the inhaling device/inhaler. It releases the medicine when you breathe in deeply with your mouth through the inhaler. Rotadisk: Rotadisk is a silver-coloured aluminium foil disk that contains four blisters to place the medication. The medicine is to be inhaled through the mouth from the Rotadisk using a plastic device called Diskhaler.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Formoterol+fluticasone

  • 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. Please do not use Formoterol+fluticasone to treat sudden severe symptoms of asthma or as a rescue inhaler. Before taking Formoterol+fluticasone, let your doctor know if have a history of heart, liver, kidney diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other medical conditions. Special precautions should be taken in patients with a fungal, bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection and tuberculosis since nasal or inhaled corticosteroids like Fluticasone can cause secondary infections. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Formoterol+fluticasone as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. Please let your doctor know if you plan to become pregnant or are already pregnant and a lactating mother. Formoterol+fluticasone is not recommended for children below five years of age.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction: Formoterol+fluticasone may interact with fluid retention drugs (furosemide), corticosteroids (budesonide, mometasone, beclomethasone), bronchodilators (vilanterol, salmeterol, albuterol), respiratory drugs (ipratropium), drugs treating irregular heartbeat (sotalol) and blood pressure medicines (metoprolol).

Drug-Food Interaction: Formoterol+fluticasone may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid intake of grapefruit while being treated with Formoterol+fluticasone.

Drug-Disease Interaction: 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 tumor), 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, please inform your doctor before using Formoterol+fluticasone.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:

  • FUROSEMIDE
  • BUDESONIDE
  • MOMETASONE
  • BECLOMETASONE
  • VILANTEROL
  • SALMETEROL
  • ALBUTEROL
  • IPRATROPIUM
  • SOTALOL
  • METOPROLOL
  • Safety Advice

    • Safety Warning

      Alcohol

      caution

      Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine as it can worsen your side effects.

    • Safety Warning

      Pregnancy

      caution

      The safety of Formoterol+fluticasone in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.

    • Safety Warning

      Breast Feeding

      caution

      It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

    • Safety Warning

      Driving

      caution

      Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience drowsiness and increased/uneven heart rate while using Formoterol+fluticasone. This may affect your ability to drive. Seek medical attention if the symptoms persist longer.

    • Safety Warning

      Liver

      caution

      Formoterol+fluticasone should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Let 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+fluticasone.

    • Safety Warning

      Kidney

      caution

      Formoterol+fluticasone should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Formoterol+fluticasone.

    • Safety Warning

      Children

      caution

      Formoterol+fluticasone is not recommended for use for children less than five years of age. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending upon the condition of the child's disease and age.

    Habit Forming

    No

    Diet & Lifestyle Advise

    • Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
    • 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 blood examination to keep a check on your potassium levels since Formoterol+fluticasone can cause low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalaemia).
    • Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels while using Formoterol+fluticasone since bronchodilators like Formoterol can cause low blood glucose levels.
    • Consult your diabetologist if you have diabetes before using Formoterol+fluticasone so that your insulin or other diabetic medication 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 symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than 2 times in a week and up to 4 nights in a month whereas, in case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. 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+fluticasone is used to treat and prevent respiratory disorders like asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Formoterol+fluticasone consists of Formoterol (bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (Fluticasone). Formoterol relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Fluticasone acts by blocking prostaglandin's production (chemical messengers) that cause inflammation (swelling) of the airways.

    Formoterol+fluticasone should be cautiously administered under doctor's guidance in seizures since bronchodilators like Formoterol can cause central nervous system stimulation that can lead to other adverse conditions. Please consult your doctor before using Formoterol+fluticasone if you have seizures.

    Formoterol+fluticasone contains bronchodilator (Fluticasone), which can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence therapy with Formoterol+fluticasone is cautiously administered in patients with diabetes. Please monitor your blood glucose levels regularly and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly.

    Bronchodilator (Formoterol) in Formoterol+fluticasone may decrease the potassium levels in your body, therefore should be used with caution. Please consult your doctor before taking Formoterol+fluticasone 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 go back to your regular dosing schedule.

    Formoterol in Formoterol+fluticasone may cause dry mouth as a temporary side effect in some people. It is not necessary for everyone taking Formoterol+fluticasone to experience this side effect. However, to avoid such side effects, drink plenty of water, regularly rinse your mouth, practice good oral hygiene and suck on a sugarless candy. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor.

    Formoterol+fluticasone is not recommended for use when you are taking Sotalol or vice versa. Sotalol and Formoterol+fluticasone have opposing effects in the body. Sotalol may also trigger asthma attacks or worsen your breathing problems by narrowing the airways. Please consult your doctor before using other medicines with Formoterol+fluticasone.

    Formoterol+fluticasone is not used for sudden breathing problems; your doctor may suggest a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems.

    Available Medicines for

    Formoterol+fluticasone

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