What class of drug is fluticasone?

Fluticasone belongs to the class of drugs known as inhaled corticosteroids. This class is primarily used to reduce inflammation and control symptoms in individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhaled corticosteroids work by delivering medication directly to the lungs, which minimizes systemic side effects associated with oral corticosteroids, like weight gain or increased blood pressure.

Inhaled corticosteroids like fluticasone function by acting on the glucocorticoid receptors in lung tissues, leading to a decrease in inflammatory mediators and overall reduction of inflammatory response. This helps to alleviate symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and airway obstruction.

Oral steroids, topical antibiotics, and inhaled antihistamines serve different purposes and mechanisms of action. Oral steroids are typically used for systemic inflammation; topical antibiotics fight bacterial infections on the skin or mucous membranes; and inhaled antihistamines are designed to block histamine receptors in allergic reactions. Thus, fluticasone’s classification as an inhaled corticosteroid is distinctly tied to its role in managing inflammation in the respiratory system.