“Flixotide” for children: instructions for use and dosage for inhalation

Choosing the appropriate medication can be a daunting task when your child experiences breathing difficulties as a result of illnesses like asthma. An inhaler called "Flixotide" is frequently prescribed to treat respiratory conditions by lowering airway inflammation. But for it to be effective, you must know how to use it correctly.

We’ll walk you through how to use "Flixotide" for kids in this post, including how to give the right dosage during inhalation treatment. We’ll explain the procedures in plain language so you can feel comfortable assisting your child in breathing more easily, regardless of whether you’re new to this medication or just want more clarification.

Release form and composition

A measured aerosol called "fluidotide" is created and inhaled. Aluminum inhalers with a dosing mechanism are used to sell the medication. A white suspension with micronized fluticasone propionate as its main ingredient is found inside the canister. There are three different Flixotide aerosols that are produced: 50 mcg, 125 mcg, and 250 mcg, depending on how much fluticasone is in one dose. There are 60 or 120 doses per bottle. The aerosol also includes the non-toxic gas tetrafluoroethane in addition to the active ingredient. Additionally, there is a medication known as "Flixotide Nebules" that is an inhalation suspension; however, it is not registered in Russia.

Principle of action

By acting locally, the drug—a glucocorticoid hormone—reduces the signs and symptoms of inflammation and allergic reactions when inhaled. The use of "Flixotide" reduces the severity of symptoms and significantly lowers the frequency of exacerbations of diseases that result in obstruction of the airways. Fluticasone works by reducing the synthesis of pro-inflammatory chemicals like prostaglandins and histamine, which are involved in allergic reactions. The medication also has an impact on neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, and other cell division. The medication has very little effect on the adrenal glands and hypothalamus when taken as prescribed.

Following "Flixotide" inhalation, the therapeutic effect begins to manifest within 24 hours and reaches its peak after one to two weeks of use.

Indications

Prophylactic use of the medication is recommended for bronchial asthma, particularly in cases of protracted and recurrent attacks. Patients older than one year old may be treated with "Flixotide" for this illness. Because it is recommended as a preventative measure, the aerosol is used even when there are no attacks. When combined with bronchodilators, it is also used to treat obstructive pulmonary diseases in adults.

Flixotide is a drug that works by lessening airway inflammation to assist kids with asthma or other respiratory conditions. The most common method of administration is inhalation, which gets the medication into the lungs directly. Depending on the child’s age and condition, different dosages and instructions apply; therefore, it’s critical to carefully follow the doctor’s advice to guarantee a safe and effective course of treatment.

Contraindications

1. hypersensitivity to fluticasone or tetrafluoroethane;
2. asthmatic status (it should first be relieved by other means);
3. acute bronchospasm.

Only a physician should supervise Flixotide inhalations if the patient has glaucoma, cirrhosis of the liver, pulmonary tuberculosis, hypothyroidism, or any infections.

Side effects

The following side effects are possible when taking lixotide:

• hoarseness of the voice (it is recommended to get rid of it by rinsing with water after inhalation);
• candidal stomatitis or candida infection of the pharynx (in this situation, local antifungal agents are prescribed);
• skin allergies or Quincke"s edema (in very rare cases, anaphylaxis occurs);
• behavioral disorders in the form of increased activity, anxiety or irritability;
• increased shortness of breath after the procedure (this effect is called paradoxical bronchospasm);
• sleep disorders;
• bruises;
• increased blood glucose levels;
• systemic effects that appear due to the negative effect on the adrenal glands.

Instructions for use

The medication is only inhaled, and this is done through the mouth.

An auxiliary device with a face mask called a spacer is needed for the smallest patients.

Typically, an aerosol with 50 μg of the active ingredient per dose is used on children. For the majority of children, one inhalation of 50 or 100 μg of fliksotide is sufficient to control asthma. When taken in this dosage, the medication is taken twice daily.

A single dose may be increased to 200 μg if necessary. Generally speaking, 100 mcg inhalations are advised for children ages 1-4 due to their more intense nasal breathing and narrower bronchial lumen, which results in less active substance entering the respiratory tract.

Typically, "fliksotide" treatment lasts three to six months. Many patients receive higher dosages at the start of therapy; these are then lowered to the lowest amount that will work for that specific patient once the therapeutic effect starts. The drug should be phased out gradually.

Overdose and drug interaction

Suppression of the adrenal function is possible if the dose of Flixotide is greatly exceeded, but it will only last a few days and doesn’t need emergency care (the adrenal cortex’s function will recover on its own). When a child receives a larger dosage of the drug, the risk of a chronic overdose increases. It can significantly suppress the adrenal glands’ ability to function, which results in growth retardation and other undesirable symptoms.

Regarding the medication’s interaction with other medications, "Flixotide" can be mixed with any other medication because of its localized effect and inhalation delivery method. The aerosol’s drug incompatibility is not mentioned by the manufacturer.

Terms of sale and storage

You need a prescription from a physician in order to purchase "Flixotide" at a pharmacy. A bottle of the medication, which contains 50 milligrams of the active ingredient in a single dose, typically costs between 550 and 650 rubles. This type of medication has a two-year shelf life.

The can should be kept out of direct sunlight at a temperature of up to +30 degrees until it expires; do not chill it, as this will lessen its therapeutic effect. A small child should not be able to access it either.

Reviews

The majority of the time, children’s drug use is beneficial. The inhaler is referred to as an efficient way to stop asthma attacks. Parents say that after a few days of therapy, the therapeutic effects of flixotide become apparent. The medication’s high cost and requirement for long-term use are drawbacks.

It is crucial that you closely adhere to your doctor’s dosage recommendations and instructions when administering "Flixotide" to children. Your child’s breathing can be helped by inhalation treatment, but for optimal effects, it must be administered correctly.

Make sure your child always uses the inhaler as directed and keep an eye out for any possible side effects, like coughing or irritation of the throat. As soon as any strange symptoms manifest, get in touch with a medical expert.

Asthma management for your child may benefit from "Flixotide" if it is used in conjunction with appropriate supervision and routine examinations.

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