WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLIXOTIDE DISKHALER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flixotide Diskhaler may be prescribed to ease breathing problems and to help prevent attacks of asthma in adults and children.

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take this medicine. This leaflet provides a summary only: for further information or advice ask your doctor or pharmacist.

 

 

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT FLIXOTIDE DISKHALER
  1. MAKE SURE that this medicine is suitable for you (see "Before taking your medicine" below)
    2.
  2. REMEMBER this medicine should only be inhaled into the lungs using a special kind of inhaler called a Flixotide Diskhaler Make sure that you have one and can use it properly If you have any difficulties or do not understand the leaflet that comes with it ash your doctor or pharmacist
    3.
  3. It is important that you take the medicine as your doctor has advised The directions should be given on the label If not, or you are not sure ask your doctor or pharmacist.
    4.
  4. Use your Flixotide Diskhaler every day, twice a day DO NOT STOP THE TREATMENT EVEN [F YOU FEEL BETTER unless told to do 50 by your doctor
    5.
  5. DO NOT inhale more doses or use your Flixotide Diskhaler more often than you were told
    6.
  6. If you are told to stop using this medicine, return any remaining disks to your pharmacist, unless your doctor has told you to keep them
    7.
  7. Keep the medicine OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN
    8.
  8. This medicine is NOT recommended for children below 4 years of age
    9.
  9. If there are problems after taking this medicine you will find help in this leaflet.

HOW YOUR MEDICINE WORKS

The name of your medicine is Flixotide Diskhaler It contains a medicine called fluticasone propionate and it is one of a group of medicines called "corticosteroids" These are frequently referred to simply as "steroids".

Steroids are used to treat asthma as they reduce the swelling and irritation in the walls of the small air passages in the lungs and 50 ease breathing problems.

When inhaled regularly steroids also help to prevent attacks of asthma.

BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

* If you are pregnant (or intending to become pregnant),

* If you are breast feeding a baby,

* If you have ever had to stop taking this or another medicine for this illness because you were allergic to it or it caused problems,

* If you are having treatment or have ever received treatment for tuberculosis (TB)

TELL YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE. In some circumstances this medicine may not be suitable and your doctor may wish to give a different one

Make sure that your doctor knows what other medicines you are taking, and you are seen regularly particularly during early treatment.

 

 

 

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TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

DOSE

For adults and children over 16 years

The usual starting dose is 1 blister (100 micrograms) of Flixotide Diskhaler 100

micrograms twice a day up to 4 blisters (1000 micrograms) of Flixotide Diskhaler

250 micrograms twice a day. Your doctor may wish to increase this to find the

dose which suits you and gives the best relief from your breathing problems.

For children over 4 years and up to 16 years

The usual starting dose is 1 blister (50 micrograms) of Flixotide Diskhaler 50

micrograms twice a day. This can be increased to 1 blister (100 micrograms) of

Flixotide Diskhaler 100 micrograms twice a day.

* It is VERY IMPORTANT that you keep to your doctor’s instructions as to how many doses to inhale and how often to use Flixotide Diskhaler.

* DO NOT inhale more doses or use your Flixotide Diskhaler more often than your doctor advises.

* It may take a few days for this medicine to work and it is VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE IT REGULARLY. DO NOT STOP TREATMENT EVEN IF FEELING BETTER unless told to do so by your doctor.

* DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE TO TREAT A SUDDEN ATTACK OF BREATHLESSNESS – it will not help. You will probably need a different kind of medicine in a different colour pack which your doctor may already have given you. If you have more than one medicine be careful not to confuse them.

IF A DOSE IS MISSED

* If you miss a dose. do not worry – the next dose should be taken when it is due

IF TOO MUCH IS TAKEN

* If you accidentally take a larger dose than recommended tell your doctor without delay or go to the nearest hospital Accident and Emergency Department. Take the medicine with you.

AFTER USING YOUR MEDICINE

* If your shortness of breath and wheeze does not become better after seven days or becomes worse tell your doctor as soon as possible.

* Very occasionally some people find that their throat or tongue becomes sore after inhaling this medicine or that their voice becomes a little hoarse. Rinsing your mouth with water immediately after inhaling each dose may help. Tell your doctor but do not stop treatment unless told to do so.

* If you feel unwell or notice anything unusual or which you do not understand tell your doctor as soon as possible.

* If you go into hospital for an operation, take the inhaler with you and tell the doctor what medicines you are taking.

 

STORING YOUR MEDICINE

* Keep the Flixotide disks in a safe place where they cannot be reached by children. Your medicine may harm those for whom it is not intended.

* Keep the disks away from direct heat or sunlight and store them below 30°C (86°F).

* Do not use this medicine after the date shown as ‘EXP’ on the Disks and carton.

* Do not puncture the blister until you are ready to inhale a dose.

WHAT’S IN YOUR MEDICINE

Flixotide disks are circular foil disks each having four blisters around the edge. Each blister contains 50, 100, 250 or 500 micrograms fluticasone propionate and lactose as a very fine powder which you inhale using a Flixotide Diskhaler. Your doctor will decide which strength you need.

REMEMBER: This medicine should only be taken by the person for whom it is given. Only a doctor can prescribe it. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if their symptoms are similar.

FURTHER INFORMATION

This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, then you should ask your doctor or the pharmacist.

You will be able to find more information about prescribed medicines from books which may be found in public libraries.

You may want to read this leaflet again Please DO NOT THROW IT AWAY until you have finished your medicine.

This leaflet has been prepared in accordance with guidance from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry The information given only applies to Flixotide Diskhaler.

These disks should only be used in a Flixotide Diskhaler.

Diskhaler and Flixotide are trade marks of the Glaxo Croup of Companies.

Manufactured by Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, Speke, Liverpool, L24 9JD, England.

Licence held by Glaxo Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, Stockley Park, UB11 1BT, England.

Leaflet prepared June 1993

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