How to Use Fluticasone – Easy Steps for Inhaler and Nasal Spray

If you’ve been prescribed fluticasone, chances are you have asthma, COPD, or nasal allergies. The drug works well, but only if you use it right. Below you’ll find a straightforward guide that walks you through each step, so you get the most benefit with the fewest side effects.

Using Fluticasone Inhaler

First, make sure your inhaler is clean and not empty. Shake it for about 5 seconds – this mixes the medication inside. Then, follow these steps:

• Sit or stand up straight. Good posture lets the medicine reach deep into your lungs.
• Breathe out fully. Get all the air out of your lungs before you bring the inhaler to your mouth.
• Place the mouthpiece in your mouth. Close your lips around it, but don’t bite.
• Press down once and inhale slowly. Press the canister while starting a gentle, steady breath. This helps the drug settle instead of hitting the throat.
• Hold your breath for about 10 seconds. This gives the medicine time to absorb.
• Breathe out gently. Avoid blowing straight into the inhaler again.

If you need more than one puff, wait about 30 seconds between doses and repeat the steps. Remember to rinse your mouth with water after each use – this cuts down on thrush (a yeast infection) that can happen when steroid particles sit in the throat.

Using Fluticasone Nasal Spray

The nasal spray works a bit differently because it targets the lining inside your nose. Here’s how to do it without waste:

• Blow your nose first. Clear any mucus so the spray can reach the tissue.
• Shake the bottle. A quick shake mixes the medication.
• Aim the tip slightly outward. Point it away from the middle of the septum (the cartilage wall) to avoid irritation.
• Close one nostril, breathe in gently through the other.
• Press the spray once while inhaling. You’ll feel a soft puff; that’s all you need.
• Breathe out through your mouth. This clears any extra spray from the throat.

If you use it twice daily, do one spray in each nostril at the same time of day. Consistency helps keep symptoms steady.

A few extra tips:

• Set a reminder. It’s easy to forget a dose when you’re busy.
• Watch the expiration date. Old spray loses potency and can irritate your nose.
• Don’t share your inhaler or spray. The medication is prescribed for you alone.

If you notice worsening wheezing, severe throat irritation, or nosebleeds that don’t stop, call your doctor. Those could be signs you need a dosage change or a different treatment.

Using fluticasone correctly takes just a minute or two each time, but the payoff is smoother breathing and fewer allergy flare‑ups. Keep this guide handy, follow the steps, and you’ll get the most out of your prescription.