Fluticasone and Salmeterol (Inhalation-Local)

Brand name(s): isk

Proper Use of This Medicine

Inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol is used to prevent asthma attacks. It is not used to relieve an asthma attack that has already started. For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another medicine. If you do not have another medicine to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without telling your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

In order for this medicine to help prevent asthma attacks, it must be used every day in regularly spaced doses, as ordered by your doctor.

Rinsing your mouth with water after each dose may help prevent hoarseness, throat irritation, and infection in the mouth. However, do not swallow the water after rinsing.

Inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol is used with a special inhaler that comes with patient directions. Read the directions carefully before using this medicine. If you do not understand the directions or you are not sure how to use the inhaler, ask your health care professional to show you what to do. Also, ask your health care professional to check regularly how you use the inhaler to make sure you are using it properly.

To use the disposable inhaler for inhalation powder:

• To open the inhaler, push the thumbgrip away from you as far as it will go. You will hear a click and feel a snap. When open, the mouthpiece will appear.
• Slide the mouthpiece lever away from you as far as it will go until it clicks. The inhaler is now ready to use. If you close the inhaler or push the lever again, you will lose medicine.
• Turn your head away from the inhaler, and breathe out to the end of a normal breath. Do not breathe into the inhaler.
• Holding the inhaler level, put the mouthpiece between your lips and teeth, and close your lips around the mouthpiece. Do not bite down on the mouthpiece. Do not block the mouthpiece with your teeth or tongue.
• Breathe in through your mouth as deeply as you can until you have taken a full deep breath. Do not breathe through your nose.
• Hold your breath and remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Continue holding your breath as long as you can up to 10 seconds before breathing out slowly. This gives the medicine time to settle in your airways and lungs.
• Turn your head away from the inhaler, and breathe out slowly to the end of a normal breath. Do not breathe into the inhaler.
• If your doctor has told you to inhale more than one puff of medicine at each dose, take the second puff following exactly the same steps you used for the first puff.
• When you are finished, close the inhaler. Place your thumb on the thumbgrip, and slide it back toward you as far as it will go. You will hear it click shut.
• Keep the inhaler dry. Do not wash the mouthpiece, or any other part of the inhaler. You may use a dry cloth to wipe it clean.
• The inhaler has a window that shows the number of doses remaining. This tells you when you are getting low on medicine. The doses counting down from 5 to 0 will show up in red to remind you to refill your prescription.

Dosing-

The dose of inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the direction on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For powder for inhalation
  • For bronchial asthma
    • Adults and children 4 years of age and older: One inhalation twice a day, about 12 hours apart.
    • Children up to 4 years of age: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with chronic bronchitis
    • Adults: One inhalation (250/50) twice a day, about 12 hour apart.
    • Children: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose-

If you miss a dose of this medicine skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage-

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store at room temperature.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Store away from direct heat or sunlight.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

The inhaler contents should be used within 1 month after opening the moisture-protective foil wrap or before the expiration date, whichever comes first.

Last Revised: 02/14/2005