How To Use Flovent HFA

Flovent HFA (fluticasone propionate) is an aerosol for oral inhalation. It should be used twice a day with the provided metered dose inhaler. Try to take the medicine at the same time(s) every day, with the two doses roughly 12 hours apart.

Priming

Make sure you understand the patient instructions on how to use the aerosol inhaler. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Before using the inhaler for the first time, you will need to prime it by spraying it 4 times into the air (away from your face and eyes). Shake the inhaler well before each spray for 5 seconds. You will need to prime the inhaler again if you haven’t used it for 7 days or longer.

Dosing

Read the prescription label and patient information leaflet carefully. Take Flovent HFA exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dose or dosage frequency without your doctor’s approval. 

The metered dose inhaler has a dose counter that shows 124 on a new inhaler. You should discard the inhaler when the dose counter reaches 000, even if there is some medicine remaining in the inhaler. If you use the inhaler after the counter is at 000, you may not get the full benefit of the medicine. Floating the canister in water is not an accurate way to tell how many doses remain in the inhaler.

Proper Use

1. Ensure that the metal canister is firmly fitted in the orange plastic actuator and that the dose counter window is visible.
2. Remove the cap from the mouthpiece by pressing on the sides and pulling it off. 
3. Make sure there is no debris or foreign objects in the mouthpiece.
4. Shake the inhaler for 5 seconds with the mouthpiece down.  
5. Exhale forcefully through your nose and mouth to push out as much air from your lungs as possible.
6. Place the mouthpiece of the inhaler in your mouth and close your lips around it. 
7. Take a deep breath as you push on the top of the metal canister until it goes all the way down. 
8. Once the spray is released, remove your finger from the metal canister and remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Keep your mouth closed after removing the mouthpiece. 
9. Hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as you can. Breathe out slowly. 
10. Wait about 30 seconds. Shake the inhaler for 5 seconds. Repeat the above steps for the second actuation. 
11. Rinse your mouth with water after each use. Do not swallow the water (spit it out). This will lower the risk of oral candidiasis (a fungal infection of the mouth).
12. Replace the cap back on the mouthpiece. 

If a child is using the inhaler, observe them each time to ensure they are using it correctly.

Note: Do not use the actuator supplied with your Flovent HFA inhaler with any other inhaled medications. Do not use an actuator or spacer device that came with other inhaled medicines with Flovent HFA.

Timing and Dose of Other Medications

Talk to your doctor about the timing of your other asthma medications. If you are on other inhaled medications, you may need to allow a certain amount of time between Flovent HFA and your other inhaled medicines.

If you are on oral corticosteroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone), your doctor may start slowly lowering the dose of your oral steroids after you have been on Flovent HFA for a week. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions carefully.

Continuing Treatment

Flovent HFA can help to prevent asthma attacks but will not treat sudden symptoms. Your doctor will prescribe a rescue inhaler for use during acute attacks. You should notice an improvement in your symptoms within a day of starting this medicine, but it can take 2 weeks or longer to get the full benefit. 

Flovent HFA can help to prevent asthma symptoms but does not cure the underlying condition. Do not stop using Flovent HFA without consulting your healthcare provider. If your symptoms are well controlled, your doctor may try lowering the dose. If you do not get an improvement in your symptoms, your doctor may increase the dose. Tell your doctor if you need to use rescue inhalers more often or if the rescue inhaler is not controlling your symptoms during an acute asthma attack. 

Storage

Store the Flovent HFA metered dose inhaler with the mouthpiece facing down. Do not store the inhaler near an open flame or heat source - this can cause it to explode. Do not dispose of the inhaler in an incinerator or fire. Do not puncture the canister.

Cleaning the Inhaler

Clean your Flovent HFA inhaler at least once a week after your evening dose. This will prevent medicine buildup from causing a blockage in the spray. 

Remove the cap from the mouthpiece by pressing on the sides and pulling it off. Do not remove the metal canister from the plastic actuator.

Clean the small circular opening in the metal canister from where the medicine sprays out. Use a clean cotton swab dampened with water. Use gentle twisting motions to remove any residual medicine. Repeat with a new swab dampened with water if any medicine remains.

Clean the inside of the mouthpiece with a clean tissue dampened with water. Allow the inhaler to air-dry overnight. Replace the cap on the mouthpiece after the plastic actuator is completely dry.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose of Flovent HFA, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose.

Storage: Store Flovent HFA at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in its original container, tightly closed. Store the inhaler with the mouthpiece down. Keep the inhaler away from heat sources or open flames (high temperatures can cause it to explode). Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused Flovent HFA should be disposed of in a way that other people, children, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw Flovent HFA into a fire or incinerator. Do not puncture the canister. Avoid flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash. The best way to properly discard expired or unneeded Flovent HFA is through a drug take-back program or your local waste disposal company. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on Flovent HFA. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about Flovent HFA, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice.

Discounted prices for Flovent HFA
 start at $13.42.

Get your FREE BuzzRx card and 
start saving today!

CHECK PRICES