Xhance

Fluticasone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Fluticasone nasal (for the nose) is used to treat nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.

The Xhance brand of this medicine is for use only in adults. Veramyst may be used in children as young as 2 years old. Flonase is for use in adults and children who are at least 4 years old.

Fluticasone nasal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use fluticasone nasal if you are allergic to it.

Fluticasone can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

To make sure fluticasone nasal is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• sores or ulcers inside your nose;

• injury of or surgery on your nose;

• tuberculosis or any other infection or illness;

• glaucoma or cataracts;

• liver disease;

• osteoporosis; or

• herpes simplex virus of your eyes.

If you use fluticasone nasal without a prescription and you have any medical conditions, ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe for you.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

It is not known whether fluticasone nasal will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether fluticasone nasal passes into breast milk or if it could affect a nursing baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

The usual dose of fluticasone nasal is 1 to 2 sprays into each nostril once or twice per day. Your dose will depend on the fluticasone brand or strength you use, and your dose may change once your symptoms improve. Follow all dosing instructions very carefully.

Xhance is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. Do not use Flonase in a child younger than 4 years old. Do not use Veramyst in a child younger than 2 years old.

Any child using fluticasone nasal should be supervised by an adult while using the nasal spray.

This medicine comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, and directions for priming the nasal spray device. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Shake the nasal spray just before each use.

If you switched to fluticasone from another steroid medicine, do not stop using the other steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about tapering your steroid dose before stopping completely.

To be sure fluticasone nasal is not causing harmful effects on your nose or sinuses, your doctor may need to check your progress on a regular basis.

It may take up to several days before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week of treatment.

Store fluticasone nasal in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Throw the spray bottle away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of fluticasone nasal is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Fluticasone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Fluticasone nasal (for the nose) is used to treat nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.

The Xhance brand of this medicine is for use only in adults. Veramyst may be used in children as young as 2 years old. Flonase is for use in adults and children who are at least 4 years old.

Fluticasone nasal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• antifungal medicine; or

• antiviral medicine to treat hepatis C or HIV/AIDS.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with fluticasone nasal, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause holes or ulcers in the cartilage of the nose and delay wound healing. Make sure your doctor knows if you have had nose surgery, a nose injury, or an infection in your nose in the last few months before using this medicine.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. This can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

You may get infections more easily while using this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have been exposed to someone with chickenpox or measles. Also tell your doctor if you develop white patches or sores in your nose while you are using this medicine. This could be symptoms of a candida or yeast infection.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. Talk to your doctor if you have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

This medicine may decrease bone mineral density when used for a long time. A low bone mineral density can cause weak bones or osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.

This medicine may slow down a child's growth. If you think your child is not growing properly while using this medicine, talk with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a very bad upset stomach or throwing up, very bad dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, not hungry, or weight loss.
• Bad nose irritation.
• Nose sores.
• Bad nosebleeds.
• Whistling sound when you breathe.
• Redness or white patches in mouth or throat.
• Change in eyesight.
• Nose discharge that is not normal.
• Very bad face pain.
• Crusting in the nose.
• Runny nose.
• Bone pain.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Nose or throat irritation.
• Nosebleed.
• Stuffy nose.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.