Cutivate

Pharmaceutical name: Fluticasone propionate

Corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins.

What is it used for?
Cutivate is used:
• to prevent the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

• to prevent asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Contraindications and cautions:
Cutivate is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components in the preparation. Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal from treatment. Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant (breast-feeding) or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Side effects:
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
* weakness, tired feeling, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss;
* wheezing or breathing problems after using this medication;
* skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
* changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist);
* worsening asthma symptoms.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
* headache;
* dryness in your mouth, nose, or throat;
* white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
* stuffy nose, sinus pain, cough; or
* hoarseness or deepened voice.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Interactions:
If you are also using a bronchodilator (a drug that opens the airways to improve breathing), use it first before using the Cutivate inhaler. This will allow more Cutivate to reach your lungs. Bronchodilators include albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), pirbuterol (Maxair), bitolterol (Tornalate), and others. Before using Cutivate, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
* amiodarone (Cordarone);
* HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept);
* certain antibiotics such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S.), or; o medicines for depression such as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox). If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Cutivate, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Cutivate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.