Flovent HFA Tips from Pharmacists

• Flovent HFA is for maintenance (long-term) treatment of asthma. It helps to decrease how often you have asthma symptoms and how severe they are. Your doctor will prescribe a rescue inhaler such as albuterol (Ventolin) for use during an acute asthma exacerbation (asthma attack).

• Use Flovent HFA (inhaled fluticasone) regularly, twice daily, with the doses 12 hours apart. This drug can help to control asthma but does not cure the condition. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor.

• Make sure you understand how to use the inhaler and keep it clean. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Start using a new inhaler when the dose counter on your current inhaler reads 000, even if there appears to be some medicine left in the inhaler. Any doses left will not give you the full benefit.

• Remember to rinse your mouth and spit out the water after using the Flovent HFA (inhaled fluticasone) inhaler each time. This will lower your risk of oral thrush.

• Clean your inhaler with a clean cotton swab dampened with water and a clean tissue dampened with water. Allow it to air-dry rather than wipe with a dry tissue. Do not wash or rinse the inhaler in water.