fluticasone propionate HFA
Fluticasone propionate HFA (also known as Flovent HFA) is a steroid inhaler. Vets often prescribe it off-label for cats and dogs to treat inflammatory airway problems. This includes breathing or lung problems like asthma. The dosage depends on your pet’s weight and how severe their lung condition is. It’s usually used twice every day with a spacer and face mask made for pets. Side effects are rare but can include a sore throat or being more thirsty or hungry. Fluticasone propionate HFA isn’t used as a rescue inhaler.
What is Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets?
What is Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets used for?
How Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets works
Fluticasone propionate HFA is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). It helps stop the body from releasing chemicals that cause inflammation (swelling). This helps lower inflammation.
Since this steroid gets breathed in, it mainly works to control inflammation in the lungs. This helps open up the airways and makes it easier for your pet to breathe.
Drug facts
Side effects of Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets
The following side effects might get better over time as your pet gets used to the medication. Let your veterinarian know immediately if your pet continues to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Side effects aren't common. See “Other Side Effects.”
Less Common Side Effects
- Sore throat
- Being more thirsty
- Being more hungry
- Urinating more
- Panting
- Sleeping more than usual
Fluticasone propionate HFA serious side effects
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet experiences any of the following.
- Changes to stress hormone levels (typically with long-term use): changes in appetite and thirst, panting, dull coat, fur loss, weight gain around the belly
- Oral thrush (fungal infection in the mouth): white or yellow patches in the mouth, gums, or inner cheeks; redness in the mouth; a lot of drooling
The following Fluticasone propionate HFA side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Flu-like symptoms—fever, chills, muscle pain, cough, headache, fatigue
- Low adrenal gland function—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness, fatigue, dizziness
- Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
- Sinus pain or pressure around the face or forehead
- Thrush—white patches in the mouth
- Wheezing or trouble breathing that is worse after use
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in taste
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Hoarseness
- Sore throat
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Pros and cons of Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets
Pros
- Generally fewer side effects than steroid pills like prednisone
- Helps make it easier for your pet to breathe in the long run
Cons
- Doesn’t help relieve sudden trouble breathing
- Takes about 2 weeks to start working
- Can sometimes be hard to give to pets using the inhaler and mask
Pharmacist tips for Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets
- Your cat or dog will need a spacer and mask that fits well around their mouth and nose. Without this, pets can't close their mouth well around the fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler to get the full dose. Don’t use homemade masks or ones made for people. Ask your vet about how to fit and use the spacer and mask the right way for your pet.
- For the best results, give your pet fluticasone propionate HFA usually twice a day at around the same times. This helps prevent breathing problems from getting worse.
- Use the fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler as part of a long-term plan to help manage ongoing lung problems in pets. It’s not for emergency relief because it doesn’t work fast enough.
- Your pet might get oral thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth, while using fluticasone propionate HFA. To help prevent this, wipe their tongue with a wet cloth or give them water each time after using the inhaler. This helps wash away the medication. Tell your vet if you see white or yellow patches on your pet’s tongue, gums, or inner cheeks or if their mouth looks red. These can be signs of oral thrush.
Tips on how to use the fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler
- Before using a new fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler for the first time: Prime the inhaler by giving 4 test sprays into the air. Shake the inhaler well for 5 seconds before each spray. This makes sure your pet gets their full dose when they need the medication. Aim the sprays away from your face to avoid irritation.
- How to give your pet fluticasone propionate HFA: Shake the inhaler for 5 seconds before using each time to mix the medication inside well. Hold the mask snugly over your pet’s snout. Press down on the canister to spray the medication out into the spacer. Hold the mask in place as your pet takes about 7 to 10 breaths to make sure all the medication gets inhaled. Then, remove the mask.
- Follow your vet’s instructions on how to clean the spacer and mask.
- If you haven’t used the fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler for more than 7 days or if you’ve dropped it: Re-prime the inhaler. Shake the inhaler well for 5 seconds and give 1 spray into the air. Spray away from your eyes and face.
- The fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler has a dose counter that shows how many puffs are left. When it shows “000,” it means there’s no medication left. Even if you see a small puff when you press down on the inhaler, your pet might not be getting the full dose. Ask your pharmacist for a refill if the counter says “000.”
Common questions about Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets
Sometimes, dogs need to take prednisone and fluticasone propionate HFA together. But it's usually for a short time. This is the case when starting the fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler or switching from prednisone. Vets often give oral steroids like prednisone together with the inhaler for the first 10 to 14 days of treatment. This helps your dog feel better while waiting for fluticasone propionate HFA to start working. And if your dog switches to the inhaler after taking prednisone for a long time, the vet will slowly lower the prednisone dose. They’ll start the inhaler during the switch to help keep symptoms under control. Talk to your vet about giving prednisone and fluticasone propionate HFA together.
Fluticasone propionate HFA is safe for most dogs, but some might have side effects like a sore throat. If your dog uses it for a long time, there’s a risk that they could get symptoms similar to Cushing’s disease. This includes being very thirsty or hungry, urinating often, gaining weight around the belly, and having changes in their coat. If you see these signs, talk to your vet.
Before giving fluticasone propionate HFA to your dog, shake the inhaler for 5 seconds to mix the medication inside. Use the spacer and mask made for your dog’s snout as your vet tells you to. Gently hold the mask to their snout to make a good seal. Press down on the canister to give 1 puff of medication. Let your dog take about 7 to 10 breaths as you keep holding the mask to their snout. Afterwards, wipe their tongue or give them some water to rinse their mouth. Ask your vet about how to use the fluticasone propionate HFA inhaler with your dog.
You can buy fluticasone propionate HFA for cats at most regular pharmacies if you have a prescription for it from a licensed veterinarian. This medication is actually approved for people. But vets often use it for cats because there’s no pet version. Ask your vet or pharmacist where to get fluticasone propionate HFA for your cat.
Yes, fluticasone propionate HFA is a steroid that helps with certain lung problems in cats and dogs. This steroid medication comes as an inhaler, and your pet breathes it in through the mouth. Inhaled steroids like fluticasone propionate HFA can sometimes cause a fungal infection in the mouth called thrush. This can look like white or yellow patches in the mouth. To help prevent this, wipe your pet’s tongue with a wet cloth or give them water after each inhalation.
Yes. Fluticasone propionate HFA expires after the date printed on the box and on the canister inside the inhaler. After this expiration date, it’s not clear if the medication works well or is safe for your pet. Ask your pharmacist for a refill if it’s past the expiration date.
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Risks and warnings for Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets
Fluticasone propionate HFA can cause some serious health issues. This risk might be even higher for certain pets. If this worries you, talk to your veterinarian about other options.
Changes in stress hormone levels
- Risk factors: Using fluticasone propionate HFA for a long time | Taking a high dose of fluticasone propionate HFA
If your pet needs to use fluticasone propionate HFA for a long time or if you give them too much, it can possibly affect your pet’s cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone that the body makes to handle physical stress.
Fluticasone propionate HFA works like cortisol. When there’s too much cortisol in your pet’s body, it can cause a condition called Cushing’s disease. Signs include being more hungry and thirsty, urinating more, and panting. Your pet might also get a dull coat, lose fur, or gain weight around the belly. If you see any of these signs, call your veterinarian right away.
Weakened immune system
- Risk factors: Using fluticasone propionate HFA for a long time
Fluticasone propionate HFA can sometimes weaken your pet’s immune system. This can make it easier for them to get sick. It’s more likely to happen when your pet needs to take fluticasone propionate HFA for a long time.
Some infections have included a mite infection around a dog’s nose or a mouth infection called oral thrush. To help prevent thrush, wipe your pet’s mouth with a wet cloth or have them drink water each time after using the inhaler. Talk to a vet if you think your dog has an infection while using fluticasone propionate HFA.
Fluticasone propionate HFA dosage forms for pets
Hfa inhaler| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44mcg | 1 hfa inhaler | $131.05 | $131.05 |
| 110mcg | 1 hfa inhaler | $164.75 | $164.75 |
| 220mcg | 1 hfa inhaler | $247.60 | $247.60 |
Typical dosage for Fluticasone propionate HFA
The dose depends on how much your pet weighs and how severe their lung problem is. Pets breathe in the medication through their mouth.
In general, the dose is as follows.
-
Cats and dogs weighing 44 lbs or less: The typical dose is 110 mg (one puff of the 110 mcg inhaler) every 12 hours.
- For cats with more severe symptoms, the vet might raise the dose to 220 mcg every 12 hours.
-
Dogs weighing more than 44 lbs: The typical dose is 220 mcg (one puff of the 220 mcg inhaler) every 12 hours.
How much does Fluticasone propionate HFA cost?
$120.64
What are alternatives to Fluticasone propionate HFA for pets?
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