Flixotide Inhaler

Flixotide Inhaler Online

By Clinical Pharmacist Tyson Wilkman

You can request to order a Flixotide inhaler online from our fully registered online doctor and pharmacy service. Our doctors require you to complete an online medical questionnaire to check it is safe to prescribe for you. 

About Flixotide

Flixotide is a brand of inhalers that contain the active ingredient fluticasone propionate, a steroid. Two different types of inhalers are available: Flixotide Evohaler and Flixotide Accuhaler. Flixotide is known as a ‘preventer’ inhaler because it contains a steroid and helps to improve asthma symptoms over a long time. It does not improve symptoms instantly, but ‘reliever’ inhalers like Ventolin do. 

The Accuhaler is available in three strengths: 100 mcg, 250 mcg, and 500 mcg. The Evohaler is also available in three strengths: Flixotide 125 mcg, 250 mcg, and 50 mcg.

How does Flixotide work?

The active ingredient in the inhaler is fluticasone propionate, which belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids (often just called steroids). The steroid is inhaled straight into your lungs and works by reducing swelling, inflammation, and irritation in the lungs. This anti-inflammatory action helps to prevent asthma attacks and symptoms in people when taken regularly. This is why they are sometimes called asthma ‘preventers’.

If you have symptoms of breathlessness or wheezing, you should still use your ‘reliever’ inhaler to improve this. These inhalers help to open up your airways and relieve your symptoms, but they do not reduce the inflammation in your lungs. This is why you should have both a reliever and a preventer (steroid) inhaler as part of your asthma treatment.

How to use your inhaler

How you use your inhaler depends on what type of Flixotide inhaler you have been prescribed. The Asthma UK website has videos on how to use the Flixotide Evohaler and the Flixotide Accuhaler. You can use a spacer device for the Evohaler but not the Accuhaler.

If you are still unsure how to use your inhaler, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist and ask them to demonstrate how to use it.

Flixotide Alternatives

We also offer other steroid medicine inhalers such as Clenil, Pulmicort and Qvar. They need to be used regularly, every day. Steroid inhalers will not help to treat sudden asthma attacks where you feel breathless.

A different medicine is used for treating sudden attacks (called a ‘reliever’). If you have more than one inhaler, be careful not to confuse them. We stock the following relievers: Ventolin, Salbutamol, and Salamol. 

Some inhalers combine a reliever and a preventer. These can be a convenient option for asthmatics, examples include Seretide and Symbicort.

You should always discuss your asthma treatment with your GP or healthcare professional. You can ask them about different inhalers and discuss the benefits of the inhaler you are prescribed.

Flixotide Summary

Flixotide Side Effects

As with all medications, there can be some side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effects of Flixotide include a hoarse voice, sore throat and tongue, and oral thrush.  

Oral thrush is a common side effect of most steroid inhalers. The best way to reduce the likelihood of oral thrush is to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after using your inhaler.

See the patient information leaflet for more details on the side effects of this inhaler.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Flixotide Warnings

You should not use this inhaler if you are allergic to fluticasone or any of the other ingredients in the inhaler. If you notice that your asthma is getting worse, or you need to use your reliever inhaler more often, you should contact your doctor because you may need a stronger dose or different inhaler. 

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak to your doctor for advice about using your inhaler. 

If you notice any signs of an asthma attack, you should seek urgent medical attention immediately.