Should I Use Flovent for the Treatment of Asthma?

Question: Should I Use Flovent for the Treatment of Asthma?

Answer: Flovent (fluticasone) is a good choice for an inhaled steroid for the control of asthma symptoms. Flovent is used to treat the underlying inflammation that occurs in many people who have asthma. Inhaled steroids are typically used every day in order to control symptoms of asthma, while albuterol is used only for treatment of the immediate symptoms of asthma. Flovent is available in two formulations: as a metered dose inhaler (MDI) and as a powder diskus. This medicine is indicated for adults and children 4 years of age an older, at a recommended starting dose of 88 micrograms twice a day of the MDI, and 50mcg of the diskus for children 4 to 11 years of age. For adults and children 12 years of age and older, the recommended starting dose depends on what treatment, if any, the person was taking prior to starting Flovent, although ranges from 88mcg twice a day to 440mcg twice a day for the MDI and 100mcg twice a day to 1,000mcg twice a day for the diskus. Flovent is available in three strengths as an MDI (44mcg, 110mcg and 220mcg) and as three strengths as a diskus (50mcg, 100mcg and 250mcg).

There are many brands of inhaled steroids available to treat the underlying inflammation of asthma, and these medications all work about the same. Flovent does have the advantage of offering the above-mentioned different formulations. In addition, while all inhaled steroids are presumed to have some temporary effects on a child’s growth, Flovent has been shown in at least two studies that there was no significant effect on a child’s growth after one year of using 50mcg to 100mcg twice daily. Otherwise, Flovent is considered to have similar side effects as other inhaled steroids.

According to the package insert, Flovent Diskus should not be used by people with milk allergy. This is due to the theoretical concern that the lactose used for the powder inhaler is derived from milk, which could contain some small amount of milk protein. There has been at least one report of a milk-allergic person who experienced a severe allergic reaction to a lactose-based dry powder inhaler, which was subsequently found to contain small amounts of milk protein. While these reports are extremely rare, it appears that some lactose-based dry powder inhalers, such as Flovent Diskus, could contain milk protein, and therefore should be avoided by people with milk allergy.

Learn more about best medications for the treatment of asthma.

_Sources:

_{Stefanovic IM, Verona E, Cicak B, Vrsalovic R. No effect of fluticasone propionate on linear growth in preschool children with asthma. Pediatr Int. 2011 Feb 22. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-200X.2011.03334.x.}

_{Nowak-Wegrzyn A, et al. Contamination of Dry Powder Inhalers for Asthma with Milk Proteins Containing Lactose. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;113:558-60.}

_{Allen DB, et al. Growth in Asthmatic Children Treated with Fluticasone Propionate. Fluticasone Propionate Asthma Study Group. J Pediatr. 1998 Mar;132(3 Pt 1):472-7.}

_{Flovent HFA Package Insert. GSK Pharmaceuticals. Website accessed March 20, 2011.}

_{Flovent Diskus Package Insert. GSK Pharmaceuticals. Website accessed March 20, 2011.}

_{Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Accessed Februrary 28, 2011.}

_{DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.}