Fluticasone HFA

Fluticasone HFA is an inhaler that belongs to a class of asthma medications known as inhaled corticosteroids. The medication contained in a fluticasone HFA inhaler can help prevent asthma attacks. Do not use the inhaler to treat an asthma attack -- the medication does not act fast enough to be effective in such situations. Side effects of fluticasone HFA can include upper respiratory tract infections, headaches, and sinus infections.

 

What Is Fluticasone HFA?

Fluticasone HFA (Flovent® HFA) is a prescription medication used to prevent asthma attacks.
 
"HFA" stands for hydrofluoroalkane, which is the propellant used in fluticasone HFA inhalers. Because fluticasone HFA uses hydrofluoroalkane, it is an environmentally-friendly inhaler. The fluticasone HFA inhaler has replaced the old fluticasone inhaler, which contained substances that may deplete the ozone layer.
 
(Click What Is Fluticasone HFA Used For? for more information on uses of fluticasone HFA, including possible off-label uses of the medication.)
 

Who Makes Fluticasone HFA?

Fluticasone HFA is made by GlaxoSmithKline and is sold as Flovent HFA.
 

How Does Fluticasone HFA Work?

Normally, air moves easily into and out of the lungs through a network of airways. But, if you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). The inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating (see Asthma Triggers). When the airways react, a few things happen: the muscles around these airways tighten, inflammation inside the airways increases, and cells inside the airways produce more mucus. This narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe.
 
Fluticasone HFA is an asthma medication that belongs to a group of drugs called inhaled corticosteroids, or steroids for short. Inhaled steroids go directly into the lungs and help to decrease the inflammation of airways that makes asthma attacks more likely. Because fluticasone HFA does not work quickly, it should not be used for treating an asthma attack. Rather, it is used twice a day in order to prevent asthma attacks.
 
Because fluticasone HFA is inhaled directly into the lungs, the rest of the body is exposed to lower steroid levels than is the case when taking steroids by mouth. This helps reduce or eliminate many of the side effects associated with long-term steroid use.
 
(Click Asthma Treatment for information about other medicines used for treating asthma.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;