Fluticasone and Salmeterol (Inhalation-Local)
Brand Names : Advair Diskus
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding
to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against
the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For
fluticasone and salmeterol , the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to fluticasone or salmeterol.
Pregnancy - The combination of fluticasone and salmeterol has
not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown
that the fluticasone and salmeterol causes problems. Before taking this medicine,
make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether the combination of fluticasone
and salmeterol passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into
breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding.
Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss
this with their doctor.
Children - Corticosteroids taken by mouth or injection have
been shown to slow or stop growth in children and cause reduced adrenal gland
function. If enough fluticasone is absorbed following inhalation, it is possible
it also could cause these effects. Your doctor will want you to use the lowest
possible dose of fluticasone that controls asthma. This will lessen the chance
of an effect on growth or adrenal gland function. It
is also important that children taking fluticasone visit their doctors regularly
so that their growth rates may be monitored.
Children who are taking
this medicine may be more susceptible to infections, such as chickenpox or
measles. Care should be taken to avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles.
If the child is exposed or the disease develops, the doctor should be contacted
and his or her directions should be followed carefully. Before this medicine
is given to a child, you and your child's doctor should talk about the good
this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information
comparing the use of fluticasone and salmeterol in the elderly with other
age groups, this medicine has been used in elderly patients and is not expected
to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in
younger adults. Elderly people who have cardiovascular disease may have increased
chances of side effects from this medicine.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
fluticasone and salmeterol, it is especially important that your doctor and
pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [e.g., Elavil], amoxapine
[e.g., Asendin], clomipramine [e.g., Anafranil], desipramine [e.g., Norpramin],
doxepin [e.g., Sinequan], imipramine [e.g., Tofranil], nortriptyline [e.g.,
Pamelor], protriptyline [e.g., Vivactil], trimipramine [e.g., Surmontil])
or
-
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g.,
Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline
[e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) - Taking fluticasone
and salmeterol while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking MAO inhibitors
may increase side effects
-
Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral],
atenolol [e.g., Tenormin], betaxolol [e.g., Kerlone], bisoprolol [e.g., Zebeta],
carteolol [e.g., Cartrol], carvedilol [e.g., Coreg], celiprolol [e.g., Cardem],
esmolol [e.g., Brevibloc], labetalol [e.g., Normodyne], metoprolol [e.g.,
Lopressor], nadolol [e.g., Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g., Trasicor], penbutolol
[e.g., Levatol], pindolol [e.g., Visken], propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol
[e.g., Betapace], timolol [e.g., Blocadren]) - Use of these medicines
can block the beneficial effect of salmeterol
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of fluticasone and salmeterol combination. Make
sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
-
Measles or
-
Herpes simplex (virus) infection of the eye or
-
Infections (virus, bacteria, or fungus) or
-
Tuberculosis (active or history of) - Inhaled fluticasone can
reduce the body's ability to fight off these infections
-
Heart or blood vessel disease or
-
High blood pressure or
-
Overactive thyroid or
-
Seizures - This medicine may worsen these conditions
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