Uses
Fluticasone and vilanterol oral inhalation is used to control wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD; a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways, that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Fluticasone is in a class of medications called steroids. It works by reducing swelling in the airways. Vilanterol is in a class of medications called long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs). It works by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
Side Effects Of Fluticasone And Vilanterol Oral Inhalation
Fluticasone and vilanterol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- nervousness
- shaking of a part of your body that you cannot control
- joint pain
- runny nose or sore throat
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- hives
- rash
- swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
- pounding fast, or irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness that begins after you inhale fluticasone and vilanterol.
- white patches in the mouth or throat
- fever, chills, or other signs of infection
- cough, difficulty breathing, or change in the color of sputum (the mucus you may cough up)
Fluticasone and vilanterol may increase the risk that you will develop glaucoma or cataracts. You will probably need to have regular eye exams during your treatment with fluticasone and vilanterol. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following: pain, redness, or discomfort of the eyes; blurred vision; seeing halos or bright colors around lights; or any other changes in vision. You will probably need to have regular eye exams and bone tests during your treatment with fluticasone and vilanterol.
Fluticasone and vilanterol may increase your risk of developing osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication.
Fluticasone and vilanterol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using fluticasone and vilanterol:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fluticasone (Flonase, Flovent), vilanterol, any other medications, milk protein, or any of the ingredients in fluticasone and vilanterol inhalation. Ask your pharmacist or check the Patient Information for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor if you use another LABA such as formoterol (Perforomist, in Dulera, in Symbicort) or salmeterol (in Advair, Serevent). These medications should not be used with fluticasone and vilanterol inhalation. Your doctor will tell you which medication you should use and which medication you should stop using.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole, and voriconazole (Vfend); beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran); clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac); conivaptan (Vaprisol); diuretics (‘water pills’); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase); other medications for COPD; nefazodone; telithromycin (Ketek; no longer available in the U.S.); and troleandomycin (TAO; no longer available in the U.S.). Also, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them during the past 2 weeks: antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Silenor), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors including isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Many other medications may also interact with fluticasone and vilanterol, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects
- tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become weak and fragile), and if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, seizures, hyperthyroidism (a condition in which there is too much thyroid hormone in the body), diabetes, tuberculosis (TB), glaucoma (an eye disease), cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eyes), any condition that affects your immune system, or heart or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you have a herpes eye infection, pneumonia, or any other type of infection.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using fluticasone and vilanterol, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using fluticasone and vilanterol.
- tell your doctor if you have never had chickenpox or measles and have not been vaccinated against these infections. Stay away from people who are sick, especially people who have chickenpox or measles. If you are exposed to these infections or if you develop symptoms of these infections, call your doctor immediately. You may need to get a vaccine (shot) to protect you from these infections.
Dosage Of Fluticasone And Vilanterol Oral Inhalation
The combination of fluticasone and vilanterol comes as a powder to inhale by mouth using a special inhaler. It is usually inhaled once a day. Inhale fluticasone and vilanterol at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not use fluticasone and vilanterol inhalation during sudden asthma or COPD attack. Your doctor will prescribe a short-acting (rescue) inhaler to use during asthma and COPD attacks.
Fluticasone and vilanterol inhalation controls the symptoms of asthma and COPD but does not cure them. Continue to use fluticasone and vilanterol even if you feel well. Do not stop using fluticasone and vilanterol without talking to your doctor. If you stop using fluticasone and vilanterol inhalation, your symptoms may return.
Before you use fluticasone and vilanterol inhalation for the first time, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist to show you how to use the inhaler. Practice using your inhaler while they watch you.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
