Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment

Composition of Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment

Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment contains Fluticasone Propionate (0.005% w/w). It belongs to the Inhaled bronchodilator / corticosteroid class of medicines.

Uses of Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment

This medicine is used in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Key benefits

• Acts directly in the lungs with minimal effect elsewhere
• Prevents attacks when used daily as a preventer
• Portable and fast acting

How Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment works

Fluticasone is breathed straight into the lungs, where it opens the airways and reduces the swelling inside them, so less of the medicine reaches the rest of the body.

How to take Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment

Clean and dry the affected area, then apply a thin layer and rub it in gently. Wash your hands before and after use, unless your hands are the area being treated. This is for use on the skin only — do not swallow it. Follow the dose and the duration written on your prescription.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Apply it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next application, skip the missed one — applying extra does not make up for it.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine can cause a racing heart, marked tremor, headache and a fall in blood potassium. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment

Most side effects of Fluskin are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Throat irritation
• Hoarse voice
• Oral thrush
• Tremor
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment

Warnings and precautions

Know which of your inhalers is the reliever and which is the preventer. A preventer must be used every day even when you feel well; a reliever is for symptoms. Seek emergency care if your reliever is not working, if you cannot speak a full sentence, or if you are using the reliever far more often than usual. Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after every steroid inhaler dose to prevent thrush and hoarseness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to watch your technique — poor technique is the commonest reason an inhaler seems not to work. Use a spacer if one has been advised, particularly for children.

Do not take Fluskin if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Not for anyone with a known allergy to the propellant used in the inhaler.

Interactions with other medicines

Beta blockers, including eye drops for glaucoma, can tighten the airways and reduce the effect of your reliever.

How to store Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment

Store below 30°C, away from direct sunlight. Close the cap tightly after each use. Keep out of the reach of children.

Expert advice for Fluskin 0.005 % Ointment

Keep a spare reliever and check the counter so you are not caught with an empty one. Follow your written asthma action plan if you have one. Do not stop a preventer because you feel better — that is the medicine working.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

EAST WEST PHARMA

Therapeutic class:

Anti-asthmatic

Drug class:

Inhaled bronchodilator / corticosteroid