Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Fluticasone as follows:
- Fluticasone should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of arrhythmias and reduced serum potassium levels. Fluticasone, being a steroid, carries the risk of lowering the blood potassium levels. Low potassium levels in the blood contributes significantly to development of new or aggravation of underlying cardiac arrhythmias Also, many medications belonging to the antibiotic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic groups carry risk of causing life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Avoid taking Fluticasone along with medications belonging to the above-mentioned groups, to prevent any dangerous arrhythmias from developing. Individuals can present with signs and symptoms of worsening cardiac arrhythmia, such as, episodes of chest pain, rapid irregular heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
- Steroid use can result in suppression of the overall immune system. Due to the immunosuppression caused by the steroid Fluticasone, individuals using Fluticasone are more prone to opportunistic infections. Discuss with your physician regarding your history of opportunistic infections and your safety with the use of Fluticasone. Fluticasone should be avoided or used cautiously in individuals with history of opportunistic infections, as it can result in flaring up of infections, such as, candida, secondary bacterial and viral infections. Patients can present with signs and symptoms of opportunistic infections involving oral cavity, nasal cavity, throat, and respiratory tract, such as, fever, throat irritation, cough, stomach upset, and white patches on the tongue and walls of oral cavity.
