Pronunciation
floo-TI-ka-sone [Pronunciation]

Trade Name(s)

• Flovent HFA

• Flovent Diskus

Pregnancy Category
Category C

Ther. class.
anti inflammatories steroidal

Pharm. class.
corticosteroids

• Maintenance and prophylactic treatment of asthma

• May decrease requirement for or avoid use of systemic corticosteroids and delay pulmonary damage that occurs from chronic asthma

Potent, locally acting anti-inflammatory and immune modifier

Therapeutic Effect(s):
Decreases frequency and severity of asthma attacks

Absorption: <1% (aerosol), 8% (powder). Action is primarily local after inhalation

Distribution: 10–25% of inhaled corticosteroids is deposited in the airways if a spacer device is not used. With the use of a spacer, a greater percentage may reach the respiratory tract. Crosses the placenta and enters breast milk in small amounts

Protein Binding: 91%

Metabolism and Excretion: Metabolized by the liver after absorption from lungs; <5% excreted in urine; remainder excreted in feces

Half-life: 7.8 hr

TIME/ACTION PROFILE (improvement in symptoms)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
Inhalation	within 24 hr	1–4 wk†	several days after DC

†Improvement in pulmonary function; decreased airway responsiveness may take longer

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity (contains propellants)

• Acute attack of asthma/status asthmaticus

Use Cautiously in:

• Active untreated infections

• Diabetes or glaucoma

• Underlying immunosuppression (due to disease or concurrent therapy)

• Systemic corticosteroid therapy (should not be abruptly discontinued when inhalable therapy is started; additional corticosteroids needed in stress or trauma)

• Hepatic dysfunction

• Severe milk protein allergy (powder for oral inhalation contains lactose)

• OB: Lactation: Pedi: Pregnancy, lactation, or children <12 yr (for aerosol) or <4 yr (for powder) (safety not established; prolonged or high-dose therapy may lead to complications)

CNS: headache, dizziness.

EENT: dysphonia, hoarseness, oropharyngeal fungal infections, nasal stuffiness, rhinorrhea, sinusitis.

Resp: bronchospasm, cough, upper respiratory tract infection, wheezing.

GI: diarrhea.

Endo: adrenal suppression (high-dose, long-term therapy only), ↓ bone mineral density, ↓ growth (in children), Cushing's syndrome.

MS: muscle pain.

Misc: CHURG-STRAUSS SYNDROME, fever.

*CAPITALS indicates life-threatening.
*italic indicates most frequent.

Drug-Drug

• Ketoconazole↓ metabolism and ↑ levels of fluticasone

• Ritonavir significantly increases fluticasone serum concentrations and may result in systemic corticosteroid effects (concurrent use is NOT recommended)

Aerosol for oral inhalation

• Inhaln (Adults and Children ≥12 yr): Patients whose previous asthma therapy included bronchodilators alone—88 mcg twice daily initially, may be ↑ up to 440 mcg twice daily; Patients whose previous therapy included other inhaled corticosteroids—88–220 mcg twice daily initially, may be ↑ up to 440 mcg twice daily; Patients whose previous therapy included oral corticosteroids—440 mcg twice daily initially, may be ↑ up to 880 mcg twice daily.

Powder for oral inhalation

• Inhaln (Adults and Children ≥ 12 yr): Patients whose previous asthma therapy included bronchodilators alone—100 mcg twice daily initially, may be ↑ up to 500 mcg twice daily; Patients whose previous therapy included other inhaled corticosteroids—100–250 mcg twice daily initially, may be ↑ up to 500 mcg twice daily; Patients whose previous therapy included oral corticosteroids—500–1000 mcg twice daily.

• Inhaln (Children 4–11 yr): Patients whose previous asthma therapy included bronchodilators alone-50 mcg twice daily initially, may be ↑ up to 100 mcg twice daily; Patients whose previous therapy included other inhaled corticosteroids-50 mcg twice daily initially, may be ↑ up to 100 mcg twice daily.

• Inhalation aerosol (Flovent HFA): 44 mcg/metered inhalation in 10.6-g canisters (120 metered inhalations), 110 mcg/metered inhalation in 12-g canisters (120 metered inhalations), 220 mcg/metered inhalation in 12-g canisters (120 metered inhalations)

» Cost: 44 mcg/inhalation $90.00/inhaler, 110 mcg/inhalation $118.99/inhaler, 220 mcg/inhalation $193.52/inhaler.

• Powder for inhalation (Flovent Diskus): 50 mcg, 100 mcg, 250 mcg

• In combination with: salmeterol (Advair). See combination drugs

• Monitor respiratory status and lung sounds. Assess pulmonary function tests periodically during and for several months after a transfer from systemic to inhalation corticosteroids

• Assess patients changing from systemic corticosteroids to inhalation corticosteroids for signs of adrenal insufficiency (anorexia, nausea, weakness, fatigue, hypotension, hypoglycemia) during initial therapy and periods of stress. If these signs appear, notify health care professional immediately; condition may be life-threatening

• Monitor for withdrawal symptoms (joint or muscular pain, lassitude, depression) during withdrawal from oral corticosteroids

• Monitor growth rate in children receiving chronic therapy; use lowest possible dose

• May cause decreased bone mineral density during prolonged therapy. Monitor patients with increased risk (prolonged immobilization, family history of osteoporosis, post-menopausal status, tobacco use, advanced age, poor nutrition, chronic use of drugs that can reduce bone mass [anticonvulsants, oral corticosteroids]) for fractures

Lab Test Considerations

• Periodic adrenal function tests may be ordered to assess degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression in chronic therapy. Children and patients using higher than recommended doses are at highest risk for HPA suppression

» May cause ↑ serum and urine glucose concentrations if significant absorption occurs

• Ineffective airway clearance (Indications)

• Risk for infection (Side Effects)

• After the desired clinical effect has been obtained, attempts should be made to decrease dose to lowest amount required to control symptoms. Gradually decrease dose every 2–4 wk as long as desired effect is maintained. If symptoms return, dose may briefly return to starting dose

• Inhaln: Allow at least 1 min between inhalations of aerosol medication

• Advise patient to take medication exactly as directed. If a dose is missed, take as soon as remembered unless almost time for next dose. Instruct patient to read the Patient Information and Instructions for Use before using and with each Rx refill, in case of new information. Advise patient not to discontinue medication without consulting health care professional; gradual decrease is required

• Advise patients using inhalation corticosteroids and bronchodilator to use bronchodilator first and to allow 5 min to elapse before administering the corticosteroid, unless otherwise directed by health care professional

• Advise patient that inhalation corticosteroids should not be used to treat an acute asthma attack but should be continued even if other inhalation agents are used.

• Patients using inhalation corticosteroids to control asthma may require systemic corticosteroids for acute attacks. Advise patient to use regular peak flow monitoring to determine respiratory status

• Caution patient to avoid smoking, known allergens, and other respiratory irritants

• Advise patient to notify health care professional if sore throat or mouth occurs

• Advise female patients to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding

• Instruct patient whose systemic corticosteroids have been recently reduced or withdrawn to carry a warning card indicating the need for supplemental systemic corticosteroids in the event of stress or severe asthma attack unresponsive to bronchodilators

• Aerosol for Inhalation: Instruct patient in the proper use of the metered-dose inhaler. Inhaler should be primed before using for first time by releasing 4 sprays into air, away from face. When inhaler has not been used for more than 7 days, reprime unit by releasing 1 spray into air away from face. Shake inhaler well. Exhale completely and then close lips firmly around mouthpiece. While breathing in deeply and slowly, press down on canister. Hold breath for as long as possible to ensure deep instillation of medication. Remover inhaler from mouth and breathe out gently. Allow 1–2 min between inhalations. Rinse mouth with water or mouthwash after each use to minimize fungal infections, dry mouth and hoarseness. Wash inhalation assembly at least once weekly in warm running water (see Medication Administration Techniques)

• Powder for Inhalation: Do not use with a spacer. Exhale completely and then close lips firmly around mouthpiece. While breathing in deeply and slowly, press down on canister. Hold breath for as long as possible to ensure deep instillation of medication. Remover inhaler from mouth and breathe out gently. Allow 1–2 min between inhalations. After inhalation, rinse mouth with water and spit out (see Medication Administration Techniques). Never wash the mouthpiece or any part of the Diskus inhaler. Discard Diskus inhaler device 6 wks (50-mcg strength) or 2 mo (100-mcg and 250-mcg strengths) after removal from protective foil overwrap pouch or after all blisters have been used (whichever comes first)

Management of the symptoms of chronic asthma