• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
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What is flunisolide inhalation?
Flunisolide is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Flunisolide inhalation is used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun. Flunisolide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of flunisolide inhalation?

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;

• fast or pounding heartbeats, pain or fluttering in your chest;

• 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.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;

• headache, dizziness;

• dryness in your mouth, nose, or throat;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, cough; or

• hoarseness or deepened voice.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I use flunisolide inhalation?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Flunisolide comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Do not use flunisolide inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use another, faster-acting inhalation medication to treat an asthma attack.

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What is the most important information I should know about flunisolide inhalation?
Do not use flunisolide inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use another, faster-acting inhalation medication to treat an asthma attack. Contact your doctor if your asthma symptoms do not improve after using flunisolide inhalation for 4 weeks. Seek medical attention if you think any of your asthma medications are not working as well as usual. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack. Your dosage needs may also change if you have surgery, are ill, are under stress, or have recently had an asthma attack.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect flunisolide inhalation?
There may be other drugs that can interact with flunisolide inhalation. 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.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Flunisolide has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. At high doses, flunisolide has been shown to be teratogenic in rabbits and rats. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Flunisolide is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.

In a review of 229,101 deliveries to Michigan Medicaid patients, 141 first-trimester exposures to flunisolide and 322 exposures anytime during pregnancy were recorded. A total of 5 birth defects were reported with first-trimester exposures (5 expected). (written communication, Franz Rosa, MD, Food and Drug Administration, 1994) These data do not support an association with adverse fetal outcome.

There are no data on the excretion of flunisolide into human milk. Other glucocorticoids are excreted into human milk in low concentrations. The manufacturer recommends that caution be use when administering flunisolide to nursing women.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Primary treatment of severe acute asthmatic attacks or status asthmaticus when intensive measures (e.g., oxygen, parenteral bronchodilators, IV corticosteroids) are required.
• Known hypersensitivity to flunisolide or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of flunisolide inhalation is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using flunisolide inhalation?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have been sick or had an infection of any kind (especially tuberculosis). You may not be able to use flunisolide inhalation until you are well. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether flunisolide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use flunisolide inhalation without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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