Patient/caregiver was educated on how to take Flonase as follows:

  1. Take this medication as ordered by your physician. Do not change the dose on this medication without consulting your doctor.
  2. Flonase is mainly administered as a spray, inhaled via the nasal route, for management of inflammatory symptoms during flare-up of allergies.
  3. Flonase could also be administered as an aerosol, inhaled via the mouth, to control the release of chemical mediators of inflammation, control the mucus production in the airways, and reduce the swelling of the airways, during episodes of exacerbation of asthma and COPD.
  4. Flonase also can be used topically, to control the symptoms of inflammation during flare-up of skin allergies.
  5. Mark the date when you started to use the new spray bottle. Keep track of the number of sprays used from the container, to have a timely refill ordered.
  6. With Flonase nasal spray, remember to prime the unit, when you are starting on a new spray unit or if you have not used your spray unit for atleast 7 days.
  7. Before priming the pump, gently shake the unit for 5 seconds. This helps to evenly distribute the medication in the unit and would dispense the appropriate dose of medication upon activation.
  8. To prime the pump, hold the unit with the spray tip away from your face and press and release the pump for 5 times, until you notice a fine spray, upon dispensing.
  9. Remember to gently shake the unit for 5 seconds before every use. This helps to evenly distribute the medication in the unit and would dispense the appropriate dose of medication upon activation. You do not have to prime the pump before every day use.
  10. Remove the cap of the spray unit and hold the unit between the thumb at the base and the index and middle fingers on either side of the spray tip.
  11. Clean the spray tip, by wiping it with a tissue. Make sure the tip of the spray unit is clean, before inserting it into the nostril.
  12. Insert the tip of the spray unit into the nostril using the hand holding the medication and close the second nostril with the other hand.
  13. Breathe in slow and deep for a complete breath, for a count of 5 seconds. At the same time, activate the Flonase spray unit by pressing the medication unit once, between the thumb at the base and the two fingers on either side of the spray tip. Performing both these acts at the same time is a task that will help appropriate delivery of the medication.
  14. Withdraw the tip of the spray unit from the nostril and breathe out slowly.
  15. One activation of the Flonase spray unit counts for one dose of the medication. If you are ordered to have two activations as your dose, wait for a minute before activating the unit again.
  16. For the second activation, start with shaking the Flonase spray unit again for 5 seconds and repeating all the steps of the procedure throughout.
  17. Clean the spray tip after use, by wiping it with a clean tissue. Replace the cap on the Flonase spray tip, once you completed intake of your prescribed dose.
  18. Compliance with the use of Flonase inhalations as ordered, at regularly spaced intervals, is very important to control the signs and symptoms of inflammation in the nasal passages, during flare-up of allergies.
  19. If Flonase is prescribed for controlling symptoms of seasonal allergies, observing compliance with other measures to reduce exposure to pollen, such as, wearing a mask, avoiding outside environment during the times of high pollen count, and using humidifiers in the room to increase the environmental moisture, can contribute significantly towards better control of symptoms.
  20. Do not discontinue taking the medication without your physician’s consult, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after taking the medication.
  21. Your physician could change the dose of Flonase, based on the relief obtained or side-effects developed. While using Flonase, periodical examination of the nostrils and sinuses could be performed by your physician, to avoid any serious side-effects from developing. So, maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments, to update on the relief from symptoms. Be accommodative to the plan of dose changes, until you show an optimum response.
  22. Continue taking Flonase as ordered, even if your symptoms are under control. Abrupt discontinuation on Flonase intake can result in precipitating the inflammatory symptoms back again. Discontinuing the medication should only be on your physician’s recommendation.
  23. If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose, as it can lead to toxicity and serious side-effects with the drug. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.