fluticasone / salmeterol

• Risk factors: Using albuterol more often | Using too much Wixela Inhub

Don't use Wixela Inhub during an asthma attack or COPD flare-up because it won’t give quick relief. Instead, use a rescue inhaler like albuterol if you're having trouble breathing.

If you notice you’re using your rescue inhaler more often than usual, tell your pulmonologist since this might mean your condition is getting worse. Never take more doses of Wixela Inhub than prescribed since this won’t help your breathing and can raise your risk for serious side effects like heart problems, tremors, and dizziness.

• Risk factors: Using too much Wixela Inhub | Using together with other LABAs

Don't use more Wixela Inhub than prescribed. Taking too much can cause serious heart problems and can be life-threatening. You also shouldn't use another medication that contains a long-acting beta agonist (LABA) while using Wixela Inhub. Tell your care team about all inhalers and breathing medications you use so they can check for possible interactions.

• Risk factor: Not rinsing and spitting after using Wixela Inhub

Wixela Inhub contains fluticasone, a steroid that can sometimes cause a mouth and throat infection called oral thrush. To help prevent thrush, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after each dose.

If you do get thrush, your pulmonologist might prescribe an antifungal medication and ask you to pause Wixela Inhub. Let them know if you notice symptoms of thrush, such as white patches in your mouth, cotton-like feeling in your mouth, pain while eating or swallowing, or loss of taste.

• Risk factors: COPD | Older adults

Wixela Inhub can raise the risk of pneumonia in people with COPD. Pneumonia can sometimes have symptoms similar to a COPD flare-up, so contact your care team if you develop new or worsening cough, fever, chills, or trouble breathing.

• Risk factors: Active, chronic (long-term), or recurrent infection | Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking other medications that can weaken the immune system

Fluticasone, the corticosteroid in Wixela Inhub, can weaken your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight infections. Certain infections, such as chickenpox and measles, can become more serious. Avoid close contact with people who have these infections, and contact your care team right away if you're exposed. Also let your care team know if you develop signs of an infection, such as fever, chills, or body aches.

Tell your care team about any current or past infections before starting Wixela Inhub. This includes tuberculosis (TB), fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections and herpes infections of the eye. They might recommend a different treatment until the infection is under control.

• Risk factors: High doses of Wixela Inhub | Stressful events (e.g., surgery)

Fluticasone, the corticosteroid in Wixela Inhub, can rarely affect your body's ability to make its own steroid hormones. At recommended doses, it usually doesn't affect your adrenal glands, which make important hormones that help your body respond to stress. But using high doses or more than prescribed can lead to adrenal insufficiency, a condition where your body doesn't make enough of these hormones.

Tell your care team if you develop unusual tiredness, weakness, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting, especially during illness, surgery, or other physical stress.

Wixela Inhub can sometimes cause paradoxical bronchospasm, which means your airways tighten instead of relax. This is rare but can be life threatening. If you notice more wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing after using Wixela Inhub, stop using it and use a rescue inhaler (like albuterol) right away. Contact your prescriber since you might need to switch to a different treatment.

• Risk factors: Allergy to milk proteins (lactose)

Serious allergic reactions to Wixela Inhub are possible. These reactions can include hives, swelling of the face or throat, rash, or trouble breathing. Stop using this inhaler right away if you have any of these reactions and get medical help. Because Wixela Inhub contains lactose, people with a severe milk protein allergy shouldn't use this medication.

• Risk factors: High blood pressure | Heart rhythm problems | Using more Wixela Inhub than recommended

Salmeterol, one of the medications in Wixela Inhub, can rarely affect your heart and nervous system. It can cause a fast or irregular heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, chest pain, shaking, nervousness, dizziness, or headache. The risk is higher if you use more than the recommended dose.

Tell your care team if you develop a fast or pounding heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, or other bothersome symptoms. Get medical help right away for severe chest pain, fainting, seizures, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat.

• Risk factors: Using Wixela Inhub long term | Older adult | Unable to move for a long period of time | Family history of osteoporosis | Poor diet | Postmenopausal | Smoking | Using medications that can cause bone loss

Long-term use of fluticasone, the corticosteroid in Wixela Inhub, might lower your bone mineral density, which can weaken your bones. It's not clear how much this affects your risk of broken bones. Your care team might check your bone health before and during treatment if you're at higher risk for bone loss, especially if you have COPD.

Fluticasone, the corticosteroid in Wixela Inhub, might slow growth in children. Your child's care team will likely check their height regularly during treatment. They'll also try to use the lowest dose that keeps your child's asthma under control.

• *Risk factors: Long-term use of Wixela Inhub *

Long-term use of fluticasone, the corticosteroid in Wixela Inhub, can raise your risk of eye problems, including glaucoma and cataracts. These conditions can affect your vision and might not cause symptoms right away.

Tell your care team if you notice blurry vision, eye pain, or other changes in your eyesight. If you use Wixela Inhub for a long time, your care team might recommend regular eye exams.

Wixela Inhub can sometimes raise your blood sugar and lower your potassium levels. Low potassium is usually mild and temporary, but it can cause tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, a racing heartbeat, or a "pins and needles" feeling in your hands or feet. Tell your care team if you develop these symptoms. They might monitor your potassium or blood sugar if you're at higher risk.