Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Inhaled fluticasone and vilanterol combination is used to prevent asthma attacks and treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not used to relieve an asthma attack that has already started. For relief of an asthma attack that has already started, you should use another medicine. If you do not have another medicine to use for an attack or if you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop using this medicine without telling your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Inhaled fluticasone and vilanterol combination comes with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read the directions carefully before using this medicine. If you do not understand the directions or you are not sure how to use the inhaler, ask your doctor to show you what to do. Also, ask your doctor to check regularly how you use the inhaler to make sure you are using it properly.

Use this medicine at the same time each day.

Do not stop using this medicine or other breathing medicines that your doctor has prescribed for you unless you have discussed this with your doctor.

To use the inhaler:

  • This medicine comes in a foil tray. Peel back the lid to open the tray.
  • Slide the inhaler cover down until you hear a clicking sound. The inhaler is now ready to use. Do not open the cover of the inhaler until you are ready to use it. If you open and close the inhaler without inhaling the dose, you will lose the medicine.
  • Turn your head away from the inhaler and breathe out fully. Do not breathe into the inhaler.
  • Put the mouthpiece between your lips and close your lips around the mouthpiece. Do not block the air vent with your fingers.
  • Breathe in through your mouth as deeply as you can until you have taken a full deep breath. Do not breathe through your nose.
  • Hold your breath and remove the mouthpiece from your mouth. Continue holding your breath as long as you can up to 3 or 4 seconds before breathing out slowly. This gives the medicine time to settle in your airways and lungs.
  • When you are finished, you may clean the mouthpiece with a dry tissue, if needed, before closing the inhaler cover.
  • The inhaler has a window that shows the number of doses that are left. This tells you when you are getting low on medicine. When the inhaler has less than 10 doses left, the left half of the counter will show up in red to remind you to refill your prescription.

Rinsing your mouth with water after each dose may help prevent hoarseness, throat irritation, and infection in the mouth. However, do not swallow the water after rinsing.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For inhalation dosage form (powder):
    • For treatment of asthma:
      • Adults—One inhalation once a day. Each inhalation contains 100 or 200 micrograms (mcg) of fluticasone and 25 mcg of vilanterol.
      • Children 12 to 17 years of age—One inhalation once a day. Each inhalation contains 100 mcg of fluticasone and 25 mcg of vilanterol.
      • Children 5 to 11 years of age—One inhalation once a day. Each inhalation contains 50 mcg of fluticasone and 25 mcg of vilanterol.
      • Children younger than 5 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment and prevention of worsening attacks of COPD:
      • Adults—One inhalation once a day. Each inhalation contains 100 micrograms (mcg) of fluticasone and 25 mcg of vilanterol.
      • Children—Use is not recommended.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Do not take more than 1 inhalation per day.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Keep this medicine in a dry place away from heat and sunlight. Throw away this medicine 6 weeks after it has been opened or when the counter reads 0.