Flixotide

Flixotide is the brand name for fluticasone propionate inhaler, a corticosteroid used for the regular preventive management of asthma.

It is prescribed for patients who require anti-inflammatory therapy to control airway inflammation, reduce symptoms, and prevent asthma exacerbations.

Flixotide is not intended for the relief of acute bronchospasm.

Fluticasone propionate acts locally in the lungs to suppress the inflammatory processes that underlie asthma.

It reduces the infiltration of inflammatory cells, decreases oedema in the airways, and diminishes mucus hypersecretion.

With regular use, this leads to reduced airway hyper-responsiveness and fewer symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.

Flixotide is available as a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and as an Accuhaler (dry powder inhaler).

It is suitable for use in adults and children and is often prescribed when short-acting bronchodilators alone are insufficient to control asthma symptoms.

Regular, consistent use is essential to achieve and maintain benefit, even during symptom-free periods.

Use Flixotide regularly at the same times each day, even when you feel well.

Shake the metered-dose inhaler before each use, breathe out gently, place the mouthpiece between your lips, and inhale slowly and deeply while pressing the canister.

Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly. Rinse your mouth with water and spit out after each dose to reduce the risk of oral thrush.

If using a spacer device, follow the instructions provided with it.

Adults: 100 to 500 micrograms twice daily, depending on asthma severity. Severe asthma may require up to 1,000 micrograms twice daily. Children aged 4 to 16: 50 to 200 micrograms twice daily.

Once asthma is well controlled, the dose should be titrated down to the lowest dose that maintains good symptom control. Review your treatment with your doctor regularly.

Common (1 in 10 to 1 in 100): oral candidiasis (thrush), hoarseness, throat irritation. Uncommon (1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000): skin bruising, headache.

Rare (1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000): hypersensitivity reactions including rash, urticaria, and angioedema.

Very rare (less than 1 in 10,000): adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children, decreased bone mineral density, glaucoma, cataracts, hyperglycaemia.

Systemic effects are more likely at high doses used over prolonged periods.

Do not use Flixotide to treat an acute asthma attack; always carry your reliever inhaler for this purpose.

Transferring from oral corticosteroids to inhaled therapy should be done gradually under medical supervision, as adrenal insufficiency may occur.

High-dose inhaled corticosteroids over long periods may cause systemic effects including adrenal suppression, particularly in children.

Growth should be monitored regularly in children receiving prolonged treatment. Patients should be alert to worsening asthma control, which may indicate the need to step up treatment.

Flixotide is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to fluticasone propionate or any of the excipients.

It is not designed for the primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute asthma episodes requiring intensive medical management.