Flutiform inhaler

What is Flutiform?

Flutiform is an aerosol inhaler, also known as a pressurised metered dose inhaler (pMDI), which contains two active ingredients: fluticasone and formoterol. This combination inhaler is suitable for people with severe asthma to help prevent long-term symptoms.

Fluticasone is used to reduce swelling and inflammation in the lungs. Formoterol keeps the airways in your lungs open, allowing you to breathe easier.

Using a Flutiform inhaler as part of your regular asthma treatment will, in the long term, improve your breathing and stop you from feeling wheezy and breathless.

What is it used for?

Flutiform is a preventer inhaler meaning it will help you manage and improve your asthma symptoms over a long period. It is usually for those with severe asthma because of the higher doses of ingredients.
Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and this steroid reduces certain cells in the lung from releasing a chemical that causes inflammation in the lungs. This is what causes you to have a tight chest.

Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator (LABA), also known as a long-acting beta 2 agonist. LABAs work by preventing the airways in your lungs from being blocked (which causes wheezing and breathlessness) so it’s easier to breathe.

Flutiform inhaler won’t work if you’re having an asthma attack. If you already have a tight chest and are feeling wheezy then you need to use a fast-acting reliever inhaler like salbutamol.

What doses does Flutiform come in?

Flutiform comes in a few different doses and your clinician will prescribe you the safest dose to help treat your asthma symptoms.

The lowest strength (50/5 mcg) might be suitable for you if your asthma isn’t fully controlled by your regular steroid-only inhaler. Higher strengths (125/5 mcg and 250/10 mcg) are available if you have stronger symptoms needing more intensive treatment.

What types of Flutiform inhalers are there?

Currently, Flutiform only comes in one form, as an aerosol inhaler (also called a pMDI). This type of inhaler is button-activated, so you’ll need to sync releasing the dose with taking a breath in.

There was another form called Flutiform K-haler and it was bioequivalent to (the same as) Flutiform. It came as a breath-actuated inhaler meaning the dose was activated by breathing in rather than pressing down on the inhaler. It came in two different doses: 125mcg/5mcg and 50mcg/5mcg.

The Flutiform K-haler was discontinued in August 2021. ^[1]

How to use Flutfiform

You should use your Flutiform inhaler regularly every day: two puffs in the morning and two puffs in the evening. The inhaler has a counter on it so you can keep track of how much is left. It should be green to start with. If there are less than 50 it will change to yellow. When there are less than 30 puffs it will change to red and you should order a new inhaler.

Before you use your inhaler for the first time, you need to prepare it. To do this, shake it and release one puff into the air away from your face. Repeat this step three more times for a total of four puffs. If you haven’t used your inhaler for more than three days, or if it’s been exposed to freezing temperatures, release a puff before you use it.

• Remove the mouthpiece cover and shake well
• Breathe out as deeply and slowly as you can
• Place the inhaler in your mouth and with your finger(s) on top of the canister
• As you breathe in, press down on the inhaler to release a puff
• Breathe in slowly and deeply again for 4-5 seconds
• Hold your breath and remove the inhaler. Hold as long as you can.
• Breathe out and repeat the steps for your second puff.

I don’t think it’s working, what should I do?

If you are still feeling wheezy and breathless whilst using Flutiform, still use it but please contact your clinician so they can advise you on any further treatment you may need. Once your asthma is under control, a clinician may start to reduce your dose of Flutiform.

If you have used too much of your inhaler, please speak to your doctor as soon as you can as this can cause serious side effects. Large doses may cause lower steroid hormone levels which can affect how well the adrenal glands work.

If you’ve forgotten to use your inhaler, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Is there a technique to use Flutiform inhalers?

If you have difficulty using your inhaler, there is something called a spacer device such as the AeroChamber Plus Flow-Vu. This spacer device will help you to breathe in the medicine properly. If you see a clinician in person, they will show you how to use it with the inhaler to ensure that it’s effective in your treatment for asthma.

If you have used any aerosol inhaler before, then you can use the same technique and apply it to a Flutiform inhaler. The only difference is that Flutiform inhalers also have a counter so you can keep track of how many doses are left.

If you need more help, get in touch with one of our clinicians and they’d be happy to help.