FLIXOTIDE 250 MICROGRAMS EVOHALER - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Patient leaflet - FLIXOTIDE 250 MICROGRAMS EVOHALER

1. What Flixotide is and what it is used for

2. What you need to know before you use Flixotide

3. How to use Flixotide

4. Possible side effects

5. How to store Flixotide

6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. what flixotide is and what it is used for

Fluticasone propionate belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids (often just called steroids). A very small dose of steroid is needed when it is inhaled. This is because it is inhaled straight to your lungs.

Flixotide works by reducing swelling and irritation in the lungs. It has what is called an ‘antiinflammatory action’.

Flixotide helps to prevent asthma attacks in people who need regular treatment. This is why it is sometimes called a ‘preventer’. It needs to be used regularly, every day.

Flixotide will not help treat sudden asthma attacks where you feel breathless.

A different medicine is used for treating sudden attacks (called a ‘reliever’).
If you have more than one medicine, be careful not to confuse them.

2. what you need to know before you use flixotide

Do not use:

if you are allergic to fluticasone propionate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking if:

you have ever been treated for tuberculosis (TB).
you are using Flixotide at the same time as taking steroid tablets.

Also if you have just finished taking steroid tablets. In both cases, you should carry a steroid warning card until your doctor tells you not to carry one.

If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before using Flixotide.

If you find your reliever medicine is not working as well as before, or you need to take more than usual, go and see your doctor.

If your breathing suddenly gets worse, this can be life-threatening so seek medical advice urgently.

Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

Other medicines and Flixotide

Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. Remember to take this medicine with you if you have to go into hospital.

In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:

a type of antiviral medicine known as a ‘protease inhibitor’ (such as ritonavir) or cobicistat containing products which may increase the effects of fluticasone propionate. Your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking these medicines.
medicines used to treat fungal infections (such as ketoconazole).

If you are not sure if any of the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Flixotide.

Using Flixotide with food and drink

You can use Flixotide at any time of day, with or without food.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Flixotide is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.

3. how to use flixotide

Flixotide comes in three different strengths. Your doctor will have decided which strength you need. Always use Flixotide exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Using this medicine

The medicine in Flixotide should be inhaled using a special kind of inhaler called an Evohaler.

Make sure that you have one and can use it properly.
Instructions on how to use the inhaler are given as a step-by-step guide.
If you are over 16 years of age and are on higher doses (above 1,000 micrograms daily) you should take your medicine via the Volumatic™ large-volume spacer device to help reduce side-effects in the mouth and throat. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to advise you about this.
Some people find it difficult to release a puff of medicine just after they start to breathe in. The Volumatic™ spacer device helps to overcome this problem. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to advise you about this.
It takes a few days for this medicine to work and it is very important that you use it regularly.

Adults and Children over 16 years of age

Mild asthma

The usual starting dose is 100 micrograms twice a day.

Moderate to severe asthma

The usual starting dose is 250 to 500 micrograms twice a day.
The most taken should be 1000 micrograms twice a day.

Flixotide Evohaler 250 micrograms is not recommended for children below 16 years of age.

It is recommended that children being treated with steroids, including Flixotide Evohaler have their height checked regularly by their doctor.

If you are using high doses of an inhaled steroid for a long time you may sometimes need extra steroids for example during stressful circumstances such as a road traffic accident or before an operation. Your doctor may decide to give you extra steroid medicines during this time.

Patients who have been on high doses of steroids, including Flixotide Evohaler for a long time, must not stop taking their medicine suddenly without talking to their doctor. Suddenly stopping treatment can make you feel unwell and may cause symptoms such as vomiting, drowsiness, nausea, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, low blood sugar level and fitting.

Instructions for use

Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist should show you how to use your inhaler. They should check how you use it from time to time. Not using the Flixotide Evohaler properly or as prescribed, may mean that the medicine will not help your asthma as it should.

The medicine is contained in a pressurised canister in a plastic casing with a mouthpiece.

Testing your inhaler

1. When using the inhaler for the first time, test that it is working. Remove the mouthpiece cover by gently squeezing the sides with your thumb and forefinger and pull apart.
2. To make sure that it works, shake it well, point the mouthpiece away from you and press the canister to release a puff into the air. If you have not used the inhaler for a week or more, release two puffs of medicine into the air.

Using your inhaler

It is important to start to breathe as slowly as possible just before using your inhaler.

1. Stand or sit upright when using your inhaler.
2. Remove the mouthpiece cover (as shown in the first picture). Check inside and outside to make sure that the mouthpiece is clean and free of objects.
3. Shake the inhaler 4 or 5 times to ensure that any loose objects are removed and that the contents of the inhaler are evenly mixed.
4. Hold the inhaler upright with your thumb on the base, below the mouthpiece. Breathe out as far as is comfortable. Do not breathe in again yet.
5. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth between your teeth. Close your lips around it. Do not bite.
6. Breathe in through your mouth. Just after starting to breathe in, press down on the top of the canister to release a puff of medicine. Do this while still breathing in steadily and deeply.
7. Hold your breath; take the inhaler from your mouth and your finger from the top of the inhaler.

Continue holding your breath for a few seconds, or as long as is comfortable.

8. If your doctor has told you to take two puffs, wait about half a minute before you take another puff by repeating steps 3 to 7.
9. Afterwards, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out.
10. After use always replace the mouthpiece cover straight away to keep out dust. Replace the cover by firmly pushing and clicking into position.

Practise in front of a mirror for the first few times. If you see a ‘mist’ coming from the top of your inhaler or the sides of your mouth you should start again.

Older children or people with weak hands may find it easier to hold the inhaler with both hands. Put the two forefingers on top of the inhaler and both thumbs on the bottom below the mouthpiece. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to advise you.

Cleaning your Evohaler

To stop your inhaler blocking, it is important to clean it at least once a week.

To clean your inhaler:

Remove the mouthpiece cover.
Do not remove the metal canister from the plastic casing at any time.
Wipe the inside and outside of the mouthpiece and the plastic casing with a dry cloth or tissue.
Replace the mouthpiece cover.

Do not put the metal canister in water.

If you use more Flixotide than you should

If you use more than you should, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

It is important that you take your dose as stated on the pharmacist’s label or as advised by your doctor. You should not increase or decrease your dose without seeking medical advice.

If you forget to use Flixotide

Take the next dose when it is due.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.

If you stop using Flixotide

Do not stop treatment even if you feel better unless told to do so by your doctor.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

If you notice any of the following serious side effects, stop using this medicine and talk to your doctor straight away. You may need urgent medical treatment.

allergic reactions (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) – the signs include skin rashes, redness, itching or weals like nettle rash or hives
severe allergic reactions (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people) – the signs include swelling of your face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, itchy rash, feeling faint and light headed and collapse
your breathing or wheezing gets worse straight after using your inhaler

Other side effects include :

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

thrush in the mouth and throat

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

sore tongue or throat
hoarseness of voice

Problems with your mouth and throat can be reduced by doing certain things straight after inhaling your dose. These are brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth or gargling with water and spitting it out. Tell your doctor if you have these problems with your mouth or throat, but do not stop treatment unless you are told to.

The following side effects have also been reported in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):

Pneumonia and bronchitis (lung infection). Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: increased sputum production, change in sputum colour, fever, chills, increased cough, increased breathing problems
Bruising

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

thrush (candidiasis) in the oesophagus

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

sleeping problems or feeling worried, over-excited and irritable. These effects are more likely to occur in young people
joint pains
indigestion
level of sugar (glucose) in your blood may be increased
the way steroids are produced by your body may be affected when using Flixotide. This is more likely to happen if you use high doses for a long period of time (e.g. 400 micrograms daily in children). This can cause:
young people to grow more slowly
something called ‘Cushing’s syndrome’. This happens when you have too much steroid in your body and it can cause thinning of your bones and eye problems (such as cataracts and glaucoma which is high pressure in the eye)

Your doctor will help stop this happening by making sure you use the lowest dose of steroid which controls your symptoms.

Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

depression, feeling restless or nervous. These effects are more likely to occur in children
nosebleeds
blurred vision

Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if:

after 7 days of using Flixotide your shortness of breath or wheezing does not get better, or gets worse
you or your child is on high doses of inhaled steroid and become unwell with vague symptoms such as tummy ache, sickness, diarrhoea, headache or drowsiness. This can happen during an infection such as a viral infection or stomach upset. It is important that your steroid is not stopped suddenly as this could make your asthma worse and could also cause problems with the body’s hormones

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. how to store flixotide

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Clean your inhaler on a weekly basis and if it becomes blocked as described under ‘Cleaning’,
Do not use Flixotide after the expiry date, which is stated on the label and carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C.
Protect from heat, frost and direct sunlight.
The metal canister contains a pressurised liquid. Do not puncture, break or burn, even when apparently empty.
If the inhaler gets very cold, take the metal canister out of the plastic case and warm it in your hands for a few minutes before use. Never use anything else to warm it up.
If your inhaler shows any signs of deterioration or if it doesn't work properly, take it back to your pharmacist.
If you are told to stop taking this medicine, return the inhaler to your pharmacist to be destroyed.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. contents of the pack and other information

What Flixotide contains

The active substance is fluticasone propionate. Each metered actuation provides 250 micrograms of fluticasone propionate.
The other ingredient is a CFC-free propellant: Norflurane (HFA 134a).

What Flixotide Evohaler looks like and contents of the pack

Flixotide Evohaler is one, two-piece, two tone orange ‘L’ shaped, moulded, plastic evohaler comprising an aluminium alloy pressurised canister sealed with a metering valve. The canister is fitted into a plastic actuator incorporating an atomising mouthpiece and fitted with a dustcap.
Each inhaler provides 120 metered actuations.

Blind or partially sighted?

Please be ready to give the following information: Product name: Flixotide 250 micrograms Evohaler Reference No: 21828/0486

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