Common questions about inhaled fluticasone - Brand name: Flixotide

Fluticasone is a type of medicine called a steroid (also called a corticosteroid).

Fluticasone works by reducing swelling (inflammation) of the airways in your lungs to make breathing easier. It also stops symptoms such as wheezing and coughing developing.

It does not help to treat an asthma attack when you suddenly get coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.

Fluticasone does not work immediately for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

You'll usually start to wheeze less often after you have been using fluticasone for 3 to 7 days.

Once your symptoms have improved, you may find you use your other inhaler (called a reliever) less often.

If your shortness of breath or wheezing does not get better after 7 days of using fluticasone, or if it gets worse, let your doctor or nurse know as soon as possible.

If you use your inhaler or nebuliser as recommended by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, you're unlikely to get any lasting side effects.

Inhalers generally deliver a small amount of steroid medicine exactly where you need it. This limits the amount of steroid reaching the rest of your body. It also keeps the risk of side effects as low as possible.

However, for children and teenagers using a high dose steroid inhaler, their height and weight needs to be monitored carefully. This is to make sure the steroid is not affecting their growth. Talk to their doctor if you're worried. They'll be able to explain the benefits and risks of giving your child fluticasone.

Equally, adults taking high doses (using either an inhaler or a nebuliser) have an increased risk of getting adrenal gland problems or weak bones (osteoporosis) over time. This is because more of the steroid gets into your body.

Your doctor will monitor you closely and may prescribe medicines to help strengthen your bones. Calcium-rich foods (such as milk and cheese, or non-dairy milks with added calcium) and regular exercise can also help keep bones healthy.

Do not stop using your inhaled fluticasone without speaking to your doctor first.

If you have an inhaler or nebuliser to control asthma or COPD, your breathing problems may return if you suddenly stop using it.

You might feel wheezy or short of breath. Your chest may feel tight and you could start to cough.

You do not need to stop fluticasone before surgery. Your breathing could worsen if you suddenly stop treatment.

If you're having surgery or having emergency treatment, for example after an accident, tell the person treating you that you're taking fluticasone. Your doctor may decide you need extra steroids for a while.

If you've been given a blue steroid treatment card, show your card to anyone treating you so they can plan your treatment.

Fluticasone inhalers are used to help prevent symptoms in people with asthma and COPD.

There are similar preventer inhalers that contain other steroids, such as beclometasone, budesonide and mometasone. They can look very different and some are for adults only.

It's important to only use your own fluticasone inhaler. Your inhaler may be different to a friend or relative's. Their inhaler might contain a different dose of fluticasone.

Preventer inhalers are different from the inhalers used during asthma attacks. These are called bronchodilators or reliever inhalers.

Steroid emergency card (red card)

If you're prescribed steroid medicines such as fluticasone, your adrenal glands may not make as much of some of the hormones your body needs such as cortisol (known as the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency.

It's more likely to happen if you take high doses for a long time (especially tablets and injections) or if you regularly use different kinds of steroids at the same time (such as a steroid nasal spray and a steroid inhaler).

Your doctor or pharmacist will assess your risk of adrenal insufficiency based on the type and dose of steroids you're taking, and may recommend that you carry a steroid emergency card. This card is the size of a credit card and fits in your wallet or purse.

The Addison's Disease Self-Help Group (ADSHG) website has more information about the NHS steroid emergency card.

Blue steroid card

If you're on a high dose of fluticasone, your doctor or pharmacist will also give you a blue steroid treatment card. It tells you how you can reduce the risks of side effects. It also gives details of your doctor, how much fluticasone you take and how long the treatment will last for.

If you need any medical or dental treatment, show your blue steroid card to the doctor or dentist.

Fluticasone does not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

For most people, using inhaled fluticasone will not affect their ability to drive a car or cycle.

Yes, you can drink alcohol while using fluticasone.

Try not to smoke. Smoking irritates the lungs and will make your breathing problem worse.

Fluticasone will also work better if you do not smoke.

Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you're finding it hard to stop smoking. Stop smoking treatments are available on the NHS.

There are several things you can do to help your condition when you're living with asthma or COPD. These include:

• stopping smoking – not smoking can significantly reduce how severe and frequent your symptoms are
• exercising regularly – exercise is unlikely to trigger your symptoms once you're getting appropriate treatment
• healthy eating – aim for a healthy, balanced diet and lose excess weight if you need to
• getting vaccinated – it's a good idea to have the annual flu vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccination

Some people say that using an air filter or air purifier helps with their asthma symptoms. However, there needs to be more research into this.