Formoterol-Fluticasone Propionate

What Is Formoterol–Fluticasone Propionate?

Formoterol–fluticasone propionate is a combination inhalation medicine. It places two active ingredients in a single inhaler:

• Formoterol fumarate: a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) that relaxes the muscles around the airways.
• Fluticasone propionate: an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that reduces swelling and irritation inside the airways.

Drug class: Inhaled corticosteroid / long-acting beta2-agonist (ICS/LABA) combination.

Approved Uses

Where this combination is available, it is approved for:

• Asthma: regular (maintenance) treatment in people for whom a combination of an inhaled steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator is appropriate, such as when a steroid alone does not give enough control. Approved ages depend on the country and strength, and usually include adolescents and adults.

This product is generally not approved for COPD. It is not a rescue inhaler and does not replace a fast-acting reliever for sudden symptoms.

Availability

This combination is sold under different brand names in different countries, and it is not available everywhere. Availability, approved ages, and labeling vary. A prescriber or pharmacist can confirm what applies locally.

Available Formulations and Strengths

Formoterol–fluticasone propionate is available as a pressurized metered-dose inhaler (aerosol), and in some countries as a breath-activated version. Strengths are written as fluticasone propionate / formoterol fumarate in micrograms (mcg) per puff.

Formulation	Common Strengths	Notes
Metered-dose inhaler (aerosol)	50/5 mcg, 125/5 mcg, 250/10 mcg	Measured puff delivered by pressing the canister. A spacer may be advised.
Breath-activated inhaler (where available)	Strengths vary by country	Releases the dose when the person breathes in.

What Is the Recommended Dosage of Formoterol–Fluticasone Propionate?

A licensed healthcare professional chooses the dose based on:

• The condition: this medicine is used for asthma, and the strength depends on how severe the asthma is.
• Age: adolescents and adults may use different strengths, and children may be given a specific lower strength where approved.
• How well asthma is controlled, and whether symptoms have improved or worsened over time.
• Other health conditions, including liver and heart problems.

Body weight is not normally used to select the dose.

Dosage Form

• Inhalation aerosol, taken by mouth only.

General Use Information

This medicine is typically used twice daily, about 12 hours apart, and usually more than one puff is needed per dose. The exact number of puffs depends on the strength prescribed. Using extra doses does not improve control and can increase the chance of serious side effects, especially heart-related ones. Follow your specialist’s instructions and the pharmacy label.

Shake the inhaler as directed, and prime it if the label says to. Rinse your mouth with water after each use and spit the water out. This lowers the risk of mouth and throat infections.

How Formoterol–Fluticasone Propionate Works

The two ingredients act in complementary ways:

• Formoterol relaxes the tight muscle bands around the breathing tubes. It starts to work fairly quickly after inhalation, and its effect lasts about 12 hours.
• Fluticasone propionate is a steroid that calms swelling and sensitivity in the airway lining, so the airways react less to triggers such as pollen, smoke, or cold air.

Together they help reduce wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. This medicine manages asthma but does not cure it. It works best when used every day as prescribed, even when symptoms are quiet. The anti-inflammatory benefit builds over days to weeks.

Is a Prescription Required to Buy Formoterol–Fluticasone Propionate Online?

Yes. Formoterol–fluticasone propionate is available by prescription only.

Which Specialist Can Help?

• A pulmonologist (lung specialist) often treats harder-to-control asthma.
• An allergist/immunologist often treats asthma linked to allergies.
• A primary care provider or pediatrician may also prescribe it and follow the patient over time.

Buying Safely

• Buy only from licensed pharmacies that ask for a valid prescription.
• Be wary of sites that sell inhalers without a prescription or at prices that seem too low. Such products may be counterfeit, expired, badly stored, or contain the wrong ingredients.
• Make sure the inhaler is sealed, properly labeled, and has an expiration date. If anything looks odd, ask a pharmacist.

Side Effects of Formoterol–Fluticasone Propionate

Many people do well on this medicine, but side effects can occur. Not everyone will have them.

Common Side Effects

• Headache
• Sore or irritated throat, hoarseness, or cough
• Thrush (white or yellow patches) in the mouth or throat
• Colds and other upper respiratory infections
• Shakiness, tremor, nervousness, or muscle cramps
• Fast or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
• Dizziness

Serious Side Effects

These are uncommon but important:

• Breathing that suddenly gets worse right after a dose (paradoxical bronchospasm)
• Allergic reactions: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or trouble breathing
• Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or high blood pressure
• Low potassium or high blood sugar levels
• Eye problems, such as blurred vision, cataracts, or glaucoma
• Reduced bone density with long-term use
• Suppressed adrenal function or signs of excess steroid effect, mainly after long-term use or when changing from steroid tablets
• Slower growth in children
• Greater risk of infection, or worsening of infections such as tuberculosis, herpes, or fungal infections
• Pneumonia, which has been reported with inhaled steroids, especially in people with COPD

When to Get Medical Help Right Away

Seek emergency care if there is:

• Severe trouble breathing, or breathing that worsens after using the inhaler
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Chest pain or a very fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fainting or severe dizziness

Contact a healthcare professional soon if symptoms are getting worse, the rescue inhaler is needed more often, or white patches appear in the mouth.

Drug Interactions

Other medicines can change how this inhaler works or raise the risk of side effects. Give your specialist and pharmacist a full list of everything you use.

Prescription Medicine Categories

• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, which can raise fluticasone levels and increase steroid effects. Examples include some antifungals (such as ketoconazole or itraconazole), some antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), and some HIV medicines (such as ritonavir-containing products).
• Other long-acting beta2-agonists and other beta-agonists, including other combination inhalers and oral products.
• Beta-blockers, including some eye drops, which can block the effect of formoterol and may cause breathing trouble in some people.
• Diuretics (“water pills”) and theophylline-type medicines, which can add to potassium-lowering effects.
• MAOIs and tricyclic antidepressants, which may heighten formoterol’s effects on the heart and blood vessels.
• Medicines that can affect heart rhythm (QT prolongation).

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines

• Decongestants and some cold and allergy products may raise heart rate or blood pressure.
• Other OTC inhalers or asthma products should be used only with a healthcare professional’s approval.

Supplements and Herbal Products

• Stimulant-type supplements (for example, those with high caffeine, ephedra-like ingredients, or bitter orange) may add to heart-related effects.
• St. John’s wort and other herbal products can change how the body handles medicines. Ask before using them.

Never start, stop, or change a medicine or supplement without talking to a licensed professional.

Safety & Important Considerations

Not for Sudden Symptoms

Keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler on hand as directed. Get emergency help if the rescue inhaler does not work.

Avoid Extra Doses

Taking more than prescribed can cause serious heart problems. Do not use another LABA-containing product at the same time unless a healthcare professional says to.

Liver Disease

The liver clears both ingredients. People with liver disease may have higher drug levels and need closer follow-up.

Kidney Disease

Dose changes are not usually needed for kidney disease, but share any kidney conditions with your provider.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
• Uncontrolled asthma can also pose risks in pregnancy, so treatment choices should be made together with a specialist.
• It is not fully known whether the ingredients pass into breast milk in meaningful amounts.

Children and Older Adults

• Children: Approved ages differ by country and strength. Growth should be checked regularly in children using inhaled steroids.
• Older adults: Heart disease, bone loss, and other conditions may call for closer monitoring.

Conditions to Discuss Before Starting

Tell your healthcare professional if you have, or have had:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat
• Seizures
• Thyroid disease or diabetes
• Low potassium
• Liver disease
• Osteoporosis
• Glaucoma, cataracts, or other eye problems
• An untreated infection, such as tuberculosis

Monitoring

Your care team may:

• Track symptoms, lung function tests, and how often you need your rescue inhaler
• Check eyes, blood sugar, bone health, or growth in children during long-term use

Switching From Steroid Tablets

If you are changing from oral steroids, your doctor will lower the steroid dose gradually. Do not stop steroid tablets suddenly.

Safety Information From Regulators

Regulators advise that asthma medicines containing a LABA should be used together with an inhaled corticosteroid, not on their own. Products containing inhaled steroids also carry warnings about bone loss, eye changes, and infections. Read the current prescribing information and patient leaflet that come with your inhaler.

Who This Medication Is For

Formoterol–fluticasone propionate is intended for:

• People with asthma, within the label’s age limits, who need regular, long-term controller treatment with both an inhaled steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator, as decided by their healthcare professional.

It is a maintenance (controller) medicine. A specialist decides if it is appropriate after reviewing symptoms, lung tests, prior treatments, and overall health.

Who Should Not Take Formoterol–Fluticasone Propionate

Do not use this medicine if:

• You are having a sudden, severe asthma attack (status asthmaticus) or need fast relief. It is not for primary treatment of these emergencies.
• You are allergic to formoterol, fluticasone propionate, or any other ingredient in the inhaler.

Important Precautions

Use extra caution and speak with your specialist if you have heart disease, seizure disorders, thyroid problems, diabetes, low potassium, liver disease, eye conditions, bone loss, or an active infection. Avoid strong CYP3A4-inhibiting medicines unless a healthcare professional has reviewed the risks.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose

• Skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.
• Never double up or take extra doses to catch up.
• If you often forget doses or are unsure what to do, contact a licensed healthcare professional or pharmacist.
• If symptoms worsen after a missed dose, follow your asthma action plan and get medical help if needed.

Related medications to Formoterol–Fluticasone Propionate

Other ICS/LABA combination inhalers include:

• Salmeterol–fluticasone propionate
• Fluticasone furoate–vilanterol
• Budesonide–formoterol
• Mometasone furoate–formoterol
• Beclometasone–formoterol (available in some countries)

Other people use an inhaled steroid alone or add-on asthma treatments, depending on their condition.

These options differ in device type, dosing schedule, approved ages, and side effects. Do not switch or stop treatment without guidance. Any change should be made after consulting a licensed medical specialist.

Storage Instructions

• Store at room temperature, usually not above 77°F (25°C), unless the label says otherwise. Protect from freezing and from direct sunlight.
• Keep the inhaler dry and away from moisture, such as steamy bathrooms.
• The canister is pressurized. Do not puncture it, burn it, or keep it near heat or open flame, even when empty.
• Follow the label for how long the inhaler can be used after opening, and stop using it when the dose counter reads zero.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets. Never share your inhaler with anyone.
• Dispose of expired or empty inhalers as advised by your pharmacist or local disposal program.

Disclaimer:

This page is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must consult a licensed pulmonologist, allergist, or other relevant medical specialist before starting, changing, or stopping treatment. Treatment decisions must be based on a full clinical evaluation by a qualified specialist. Always follow the prescribing information and patient leaflet provided with your medicine.