Esiflo 500 Transcaps

Esiflo 500 Transcaps is a prescription combination medicine for asthma that contains salmeterol and fluticasone propionate in each capsule, with the exact labelled strength of 500 micrograms fluticasone propionate plus 50 micrograms salmeterol. It belongs to the inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2-agonist (ICS/LABA) class. Esiflo 500 Transcaps is used as maintenance treatment to help prevent asthma symptoms such as wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It is not meant for quick relief of an acute asthma attack.

How it works: Salmeterol relaxes the muscles around the airways for up to many hours, which helps keep air moving more easily through the lungs. Fluticasone propionate reduces swelling and irritation inside the airways, and in this capsule form the medicine is inhaled so it works directly in the lungs.

Esiflo 500 Transcaps is a higher-strength capsule option compared with Esiflo 250 Transhaler and Esiflo Hfa 125 Transhaler, so it is usually chosen for people whose asthma needs stronger controller treatment after a doctor has assessed them. Because it contains the higher labelled corticosteroid dose, it may be used when lower strengths are not enough to keep symptoms under control, but it is not intended to replace a rescue inhaler. It may not feel like an instant-relief medicine; its benefit is mainly in regular daily control.

• Maintenance treatment of asthma
• Prevention of wheezing and breathlessness
• Long-term control of airway inflammation
• Reducing nighttime asthma symptoms
• Helping lower the need for rescue inhaler use

• Use Esiflo 500 Transcaps only with the inhaler device your pharmacist or doctor recommends for this capsule form; do not swallow the capsule.
• Remove the capsule from the strip only when you are ready to use it, then place it in the inhaler device exactly as instructed.
• Inhale the full capsule dose by mouth as directed; do not chew, crush, or open the capsule unless your specific device instructions say to.
• Take it at the same times each day if your prescriber has scheduled regular use.
• Do not use Esiflo 500 Transcaps for sudden asthma attacks; keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler for emergencies.
• If your mouth is dry or irritated after inhaling, rinse your mouth and spit the water out to lower the risk of thrush.

Each Esiflo 500 Transcaps capsule provides the labelled high-strength dose of fluticasone propionate 500 micrograms plus salmeterol 50 micrograms. Your doctor decides whether it should be taken once or twice daily based on your asthma severity and response to treatment; do not change the schedule on your own. Do not use more than the amount prescribed, because higher-than-recommended inhaled corticosteroid/LABA exposure can increase side effects without improving control.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Salmeterol + Fluticasone Propionate may include:

• Headache
• Throat irritation
• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Oral thrush (white patches in the mouth or throat)
• Cough after inhalation
• Shakiness or tremor
• Fast heartbeat or palpitations, which may be more noticeable with this higher-strength capsule

• Esiflo 500 Transcaps is a higher-strength controller medicine and should be used only if your doctor has determined that this dose is appropriate.
• Do not use it to treat sudden asthma symptoms; keep your rescue inhaler available at all times.
• Rinse and spit after use to reduce the risk of oral thrush, which can be more likely with inhaled steroids.
• Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, thyroid disease, diabetes, seizure disorders, or low potassium.
• Use caution if you are sensitive to beta-agonists, because salmeterol can cause tremor, palpitations, or nervousness.
• Avoid smoking and exposure to triggers, because they can reduce asthma control and make this higher-strength medicine less effective.
• Tell your prescriber if you need frequent rescue inhaler use, because that may mean your asthma is not well controlled.

• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, or cobicistat can raise fluticasone levels and increase steroid side effects.
• Other LABA medicines or long-acting bronchodilators should generally not be used together unless your prescriber specifically directs it.
• Beta-blockers, including some eye drops, may reduce salmeterol’s effect and can worsen bronchospasm.
• Diuretics and other medicines that lower potassium can increase the risk of low potassium when combined with salmeterol.
• MAO inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants may increase cardiovascular side effects if used close together with salmeterol.

Store Esiflo 500 Transcaps in the original strip/box at room temperature, protected from moisture, and keep the capsules dry until use.