Evocair MDI (Fluticasone Propionate And Salmeterol Xinafoate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Evocair MDI Used For?
Evocair MDI is a combination inhaler that helps manage breathing problems in people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who need regular treatment.
Primary Uses
Evocair MDI is prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in people who require ongoing daily treatment. It helps control breathing difficulties throughout the day and night.
How It Works
Evocair contains two active ingredients that work together. Fluticasone propionate is a corticosteroid that reduces swelling and irritation in the airways, making breathing easier. Salmeterol xinafoate is a bronchodilator that keeps the breathing tubes open and provides relief for up to twelve hours. Together, they help control your breathing difficulties when taken regularly.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive and is different from anabolic steroids sometimes misused by athletes.
Emergency Use: DO NOT use Evocair to treat sudden breathing attacks – it will not help. You need a different rescue medicine like salbutamol for emergencies.
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How to Take Evocair MDI
Evocair must be inhaled into your lungs through your mouth using the metered dose inhaler. It's very important to use this medicine regularly every day, twice a day, even when you feel well.
Dosage Instructions
For Asthma – Adults and adolescents 12+ years: Two puffs twice daily from prescribed strength (50/25, 125/25, or 250/25 micrograms). Children 4+ years: Two puffs of 50/25 strength twice daily. For COPD – Adults: Two puffs twice daily from prescribed strength (125/25 or 250/25 micrograms). Take at the same time each day for best results. Can be taken with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue with your normal schedule. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as planned. If you become wheezy before your next dose, use your rescue inhaler as usual.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Always rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after using Evocair to prevent mouth irritation.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Soreness in mouth, throat or tongue
- Hoarseness
- Headache
- Muscle cramps
- Joint pain
- Increased heart rate
- Skin rash
- Bruises
- Sweating, trembling, feeling nervous or anxious
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased blood pressure
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Pneumonia (lung infection)
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing (allergic reaction)
- Swelling of face, eyelids, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Eye problems (cataracts, glaucoma)
- Rounded face
Special Monitoring
Some side effects like changes in blood sugar levels, blood pressure, or bone density can only be detected through regular tests. Long-term high-dose steroid use may affect your adrenal glands. Your doctor will monitor these with periodic tests.
Important Warnings
Before using Evocair MDI, make sure your doctor knows about all your medical conditions and other medications you're taking.
Who Should Not Take Evocair MDI
Do not use Evocair if you are allergic to fluticasone propionate, salmeterol xinafoate, or any other ingredients. Signs of allergic reaction include wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, chest pain, hay fever, lumpy rash, or fainting. Also avoid if the medicine is expired or packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: allergies to medicines, foods, or dyes; thrush in your mouth; tuberculosis; diabetes; thyroid problems; high blood pressure; heart problems; low blood potassium levels; or if you're taking other steroid medicines.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits with you. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this medicine.
Surgery Alert: Always tell surgeons and anesthetists that you're taking Evocair before any surgery, as it may affect other medicines used during the procedure.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Evocair and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you're taking.
Important: These interactions may require dose adjustments or different medicines. Check with your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you're taking.
- Beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure
- Ketoconazole used to treat fungal infections
- Ritonavir used to treat HIV infection
Alcohol & Driving
Evocair is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, but it's wise to be cautious until you know how it affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but always consult your doctor about alcohol use while taking any medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. However, be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Evocair affects you personally.
Storage
Keep Evocair in a dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C, away from direct heat or sunlight. If your inhaler becomes very cold, it may not work properly, so keep it away from frost. The metal canister is pressurized – never burn it or puncture it, even when empty. Store away from moisture, heat, or sunlight (not in bathrooms, cars, or on window sills). Keep where children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you've used too much Evocair, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, increased breathing rate, significant muscle tremor, headache, increased blood pressure, and increased blood sugar levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Evocair contains salmeterol which provides effects lasting up to twelve hours. However, this is a maintenance medication that needs to be used regularly twice daily to control your condition – it's not for immediate relief of breathing attacks.
Yes, it doesn't matter if you take Evocair before or after food. The medication is inhaled into your lungs, so food timing doesn't affect how it works.
No, Evocair is not addictive. The corticosteroids in this medicine are not the same as anabolic steroids sometimes misused by athletes.
Don't stop taking Evocair suddenly without checking with your doctor. If you stop suddenly, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects. Your doctor will gradually reduce your dose if you need to stop the medicine.
If your breathing or wheezing gets worse immediately after using Evocair, stop using it right away and contact your doctor as soon as possible. This could indicate an allergic reaction or other serious problem.
Clean your inhaler at least once a week. Remove the mouthpiece cover, wipe inside and outside of the mouthpiece and plastic casing with a dry cloth, then replace the cover. Never put the metal canister in water.
Your inhaler has a counter showing remaining doses. Consider getting a replacement when the counter shows 020. Never use the inhaler when the counter shows 000 – dispose of it safely at that point.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.