Flovent HFA Uses

Flovent HFA is used for the maintenance (long-term) treatment of asthma. Regular use of this inhaler can prevent symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, and cough. This medicine helps to decrease the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. However, it is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used to treat sudden symptoms (an asthma episode that has already started). Your doctor will prescribe a rescue inhaler for fast relief from acute bronchospasm (severe asthma attack).

There may be other uses of Flovent HFA—your doctor or pharmacist can give you further drug information.

Flovent HFA Mechanism of Action

Flovent HFA contains fluticasone propionate which is an inhaled corticosteroid. The medication works by decreasing inflammation (swelling and irritation) in the airways to make breathing easier.

Flovent HFA Doses

Flovent HFA comes as a pressured aluminum canister (metered dose inhaler). The device aerosolizes the medicine (converts it to a fine mist) for oral inhalation. 

The inhalation aerosol provides a dose of 44 mcg, 110 mcg, or 220 mcg per actuation. There is a counter that starts at 124 and goes down each time the inhaler is used. The inhaler should be discarded when the dose counter reaches 000.

The usual dose of Flovent HFA for adults and children 12 years of age and older is as follows:

• Patients on bronchodilators alone: Recommended initial dose of 88 mcg twice daily (2 actuations of 44 mcg twice per day) with the doses taken about 12 hours apart. The maximum recommended dose is 440 mcg twice per day. 
• Patients on inhaled steroids: Recommended initial dose of 88 mcg to 220 mcg twice daily. The maximum recommended dose is 440 mcg twice daily.
• Patients on oral corticosteroids: Recommended initial dose of 440 mcg twice daily. The maximum recommended dose is 880 mcg twice daily.

The recommended starting dose of Flovent HFA in children between 4 and 11 years of age is 88 mcg twice daily. The maximum recommended dose in this age group is 88 mcg twice daily.

Other dosage forms of fluticasone propionate include a dry powder inhaler that contains a fine powder for oral inhalation (Flovent Diskus inhaler, Armonair, Armonair Respiclick, and Arnuity Ellipta).