Flixotide

NHS Senior Clinical Pharmacist, Irsalan Ahmed (MPharm) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

'Flixotide is a long-term maintenance treatment of mild, moderate and severe asthma that contains a corticosteroid which helps to reduce lung inflammation'.

If you think Flixotide is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Flixotide is classified as a preventer inhaler. It is usually prescribed to people who are in need of a reliever inhaler more than twice a week for the relief of breathing difficulties. It is also prescribed for asthma sufferers whose sleep has been disturbed more than once a week. Flixotide should be used regularly on a daily basis to reduce the inflammation of the lungs and prevent shortness of breath, wheezing, and asthma attacks.

Breathing usually improves between three to seven days after starting the Flixotide treatment. It is important that you keep using the Flixotide inhaler regularly even if you the asthma symptoms have improved significantly. It will prevent the breathing problems from coming back.

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Flixotide patient information leaflet.

Flixotide evohaler, accuhaler, and nebules all contain beclometasone as its active ingredient. Beclometasone is a corticosteroid.

Corticosteroids are hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands. They are important in controlling inflammatory responses. Beclometasone is a man-made derivate of these natural hormones. It is used to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Corticosteroids, while often simply called steroids are different from the anabolic steroids that are at times abused by some bodybuilders and athletes.

When beclometasone is breathed in, it is absorbed into the cells of the airways and the lungs, stopping the cells from releasing chemicals that cause immune and allergic responses resulting in inflammation. By stopping the release of the chemicals, beclometasone reduces the inflammation in the lungs that constricts the airways, making it difficult for the air to get in and out. Regular use of beclometasone helps in preventing the attacks of asthma and wheezing.

Flixotide is effective in preventing asthma attacks and the associated symptoms such as the inflammation of the lungs. Using beclometasone regularly on a daily basis can avoid the symptoms of asthma even before its occurrence and help asthma sufferers live a normal life. Flixotide can also be used together with other reliever treatments in the event of an unexpected attack.

Flixotide should be used twice a day each day on a regular basis, as directed by your doctor. Strictly follow the instructions of your doctor on how to properly use your inhaler and how many puffs you need to take each time. Do not suddenly stop the use of this inhaler, even if your symptoms have improved or disappeared, unless ordered by your doctor. Abruptly stopping treatment could cause your asthma to flare-up again.

If you are using a reliever inhaler at the same time you are using Flixotide, use the reliever inhaler first to open your airways before you take a dose from Flixotide inhaler.

It is important you learn how to correctly use your inhaler. Failure to do so will result in not breathing the right dose of medicine into your lungs. Follow the instructions provided for in the information leaflet that comes with your inhaler.  Your doctor or your nurse could show you the proper use of this inhaler.

Flixotide is available as two different types of inhaler device – the evohaler and the accuhaler.

The Flixotide evohaler is a meter dose inhaler that delivers the medicine as a fine mist or spray. While using this inhaler, you will need to co-ordinate the pressing down of the canister and breathing in the spray.

The Flixotide accuhaler is a dry powder inhaler that comes pre-loaded with blisters containing individual doses of the medication as a powder. You need to slide the lever on the inhaler when you want to take a dose. Sliding the lever opens a blister, making a dose ready for your inhalation. You will need to breathe out fully, put the inhaler mouthpiece to your lips and breathe in steadily and deeply through your mouth.

Rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after each use of Flixotide. This will minimize the developing of oral thrush, a fungal infection, in your mouth. Oral thrush could be associated with inhaled corticosteroids. Consult your doctor if you developed white patches in your throat or mouth, as they are the symptoms of thrush.

Flixotide dosage

The usual dose of Flixotide is twice a day, daily, or as directed by your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dose of your medication without the approval of your doctor.

Medicines and their side effects can affect individual users in different ways. Not everyone who uses Flixotide will experience the possible side effects.

The following is the very common side effect of Flixotide:

• Thrush infection of the mouth and throat. This side effect can be avoided by rinsing the mouth out with water and spitting it out right after you use inhaler. Your doctor can prescribe an antifungal medication when you get oral thrush.

The following are the common side effects of Flixotide:

• Hoarse voice
• Throat irritation

The following individual need extra monitoring while they are using Flixotide:

• Those with history of tuberculosis
• Those with viral or fungal infections in the airways.
• Those with diabetes

Flixotide should not be used by individuals who are allergic or intolerant to any of the ingredients of this medicine. Check the ingredients of this medicine to find out if you have specific allergies or intolerances.

It is important to control asthma during pregnancy, as it could pose a threat to the developing baby. Whenever possible, asthma medication should be taken by inhaler to minimize the amount of medicines entering the bloodstream and crosses the placenta the developing baby.

The amount of medicine that passes into the breastmilk after an inhaler use is negligible and will not likely cause any harm to the nursing infant.

You could continue using Flixotide while you are pregnant or breastfeeding as long as you inform your doctor.

It is important that you share with your doctor a list of all medications that you are taking before you start using Flixotide. Inform your doctor that you are using Flixotide before you start using any other medication.

You can safely buy Flixotide online at UK Meds. You will first need to have an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Flixotide is the right medication for your medical condition.