Medication Information Leaflet
What is this medication for?
Relvar inhaler is used to help control symptoms in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a disease affecting the lungs which make it harder for the person to breathe as the disease gets worse.
Relvar contains two ingredients, Vilanterol and Fluticasone. Vilanterol helps to keep the airways open, making it easier for air to move in and out of the lungs. Fluticasone is a type of steroid and helps to reduce and prevent swelling and inflammation in the airways.
Relvar is normally referred to as a ‘preventer’ or ‘controller’ inhaler as it helps to prevent symptoms such as breathlessness in asthma and COPD. It can also help to reduce the chances of having an asthma attack.
How should I take or use this medication?
- Use your Relvar inhaler every day to control your condition.
- Do not stop using your inhaler even when you feel well or do not have any symptoms.
- Please refer to the Relvar Ellipta’s patient information leaflet to learn how to use the inhaler.
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies
- You are taking oral medications to treat fungal infections such as itraconazole or ketoconazole.
- You have high blood pressure
- You have heart, liver or thyroid problems
- You have diabetes
- You have low blood potassium levels
Relvar will not stop an asthma attack that has already started as it takes a longer time for the medication to work. Thus, you should always carry a fast-acting inhaler, such as Salbutamol inhaler, that would open up your airways quickly to relieve your breathlessness during an asthma attack. Fast-acting inhalers are normally referred to as ‘reliever’ inhalers.
Please see your healthcare professional if your asthma symptoms get worse. Signs include:
- Having to use your ‘reliever’ inhaler more often than before
- Your wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing) or chest tightness gets worse
- Your ‘reliever’ inhaler doesn’t help you as well as before
These symptoms may mean that your condition could be getting worse and you may need extra treatment.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
- Increase chance of experiencing throat irritation, oral fungal infection (seen as white patches in mouth), hoarseness of voice and coughing. You can prevent these side effects by:
- Rinsing your mouth with water and spitting the water out after rinsing.
- Brushing your teeth each time after you use your Relvar inhaler
- Dizziness
- Headache
The dizziness and headache may happen but should get better over time. Check with your doctor if any of these symptoms are serious or do not go away.
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. Keep the cap on when not in use.
How do I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
When should I throw away this medication?
Check the dose counter and change the inhaler once the dose counter indicates zero doses or one month after you opened it.
Disclaimer
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on September 2022
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