Patient was educated on side effects of using Flovent HFA as follows:
- Nasal ulceration and bleeding
- Flovent HFA use can result in nasal crusting and ulceration, thus contributing to episodes of nasal bleeding.
- Prolonged inhalation of Flovent HFA can also contribute to progressive thinning of the cartilage in the nasal septum and lead to perforation of the nasal cartilage.
- Also, being a steroid, Flovent HFA is also anti-inflammatory, opposes natural body defenses and thereby, contributes to poor wound healing.
- Steroid insufficiency
- Chronic use of high dose of the steroid medication, such as, Flovent HFA, carries the risk of feedback inhibition on the secretion of steroid hormones from the adrenal gland, with consequent reduced secretion of steroid hormones, thus resulting in adrenal insufficiency.
- Individuals can present with severe muscle weakness, fatigue, mood changes, depression, episodes of low blood pressure, dizziness and confusion, and shock, secondary to reduced blood levels of natural steroid hormone.
