Flutiform Inhaler

Flutiform is an aerosol inhaler, often called a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI), and it contains two active ingredients: fluticasone and formoterol. This combination inhaler is ideal for individuals with severe asthma to help prevent ongoing symptoms.

Fluticasone helps to lessen swelling and inflammation in the lungs. Formoterol works by keeping your lung airways open, making it easier for you to breathe.

Regularly using a Flutiform inhaler as part of your asthma treatment will help improve your breathing over time and prevent wheezing and breathlessness.

Flutiform is a preventer inhaler, designed to help you manage and improve your asthma symptoms over time. It's typically prescribed for those with severe asthma due to its higher doses of active ingredients. Fluticasone, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), works by reducing certain cells in the lungs from releasing chemicals that lead to inflammation, which is what makes your chest feel tight.

Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator, often referred to as a long-acting beta 2 agonist. These medications help keep your lung airways open, preventing blockages that can lead to wheezing and breathlessness, making it easier for you to breathe.

The Flutiform inhaler isn't suitable for use during an asthma attack. If your chest feels tight and you're wheezing, you should use a fast-acting reliever inhaler, such as salbutamol.

Flutiform is available in various doses, and your clinician will prescribe the safest one to manage your asthma symptoms.

If you have severe asthma, your doctor might suggest using the 250mcg fluticasone/10mcg formoterol strength.

If your symptoms are moderate, you may be given the 125mcg fluticasone/5mcg formoterol dose.

For mild symptoms, a clinician may recommend the 50 mcg fluticasone/5 mcg formoterol dose.

At the moment, Flutiform is only available as an aerosol inhaler, also known as a pMDI. This inhaler is activated by pressing a button, so you'll need to coordinate pressing it with inhaling.

There was another version called Flutiform K-haler, which was bioequivalent to Flutiform, meaning it was the same. This inhaler was breath-actuated, so the dose was released when you breathed in, instead of pressing down on it. It was available in two doses: 125mcg/5mcg and 50mcg/5mcg.

The Flutiform K-haler was discontinued in August 2021.

There isn't another inhaler like Flutiform with the same combination of active ingredients, apart from the K-haler, which is no longer available.

Alternatively, you might be able to use individual inhalers, each containing one of the active ingredients:

Flixotide Evohaler or Accuhaler, both of which contain fluticasone; and:

Atimos Modulite, Formoterol Easyhaler, and Oxis Turbohaler all contain formoterol.

If you have severe asthma, our clinicians will guide you on the best ways to manage your symptoms. This will likely involve a combination treatment of a corticosteroid and a LABA.

Even though Flutiform has fluticasone, which can be used to treat COPD, it should not be used for COPD.

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, your doctor will recommend which inhalers can help manage your symptoms.

People with COPD will require an inhaler with the right amount of fluticasone to help manage their symptoms.

If you have any worries about using Flutiform, it's best to talk to your prescriber. Some less common symptoms you might notice are headaches, an irregular heartbeat, or a sore throat.

If it seems like your asthma is getting worse, let your doctor know as your dosage might need adjusting. If you're having an asthma attack, be sure to use your reliever inhaler.

Formoterol, the active ingredient, can cause effects like low potassium levels in the blood, irregular heartbeats, nausea, and muscle pain. However, these effects weren't observed in clinical trials for Flutiform inhalers.

It's also important to understand that inhaled corticosteroids can influence the usual levels of steroid hormones made by the adrenal gland, but this is less likely than with oral tablets.

Inhaled steroids can be taken in smaller doses, making them safer for long-term use and causing fewer side effects compared to tablets.