Alvesco

Alvesco

Generic Name: ciclesonide (inhalation) (sye KLES oh nide)

Brand Names: Alvesco HFA

What is Alvesco?

Related Video

COPD

How COPD differs from asthma, and why it's so important to not smoke.

Alvesco is a a man-made corticosteroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Alvesco is used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children 12 years and older. When used regularly, as prescribed by your health care provider, it will help to prevent and control symptoms of asthma.

Alvesco may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Alvesco

Do not use Alvesco inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medicine to treat an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before taking Alvesco, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

You should not use Alvesco if you are allergic to ciclesonide.

Before using Alvesco, tell your doctor if you have tuberculosis, an infection of your mouth or throat (such as oral thrush), glaucoma or history of cataracts, herpes infection of your eyes, or a personal or family history of osteoporosis.

If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about using less and less of the steroid before stopping completely. Call your doctor right away if you feel that Alvesco inhalation makes your condition worse.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Before using Alvesco

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before taking Alvesco, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

You should not use Alvesco if you are allergic to ciclesonide.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using Alvesco, tell your doctor if you have:

tuberculosis;

an infection of your mouth or throat (such as oral thrush);

glaucoma or history of cataracts;

herpes infection of your eyes; or

a personal or family history of osteoporosis.

FDA pregnancy category C. This Alvesco inhalation 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 Alvesco inhalation passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Alvesco pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Long-term use of steroid medication can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using Alvesco is not growing or gaining weight properly.

How should I use Alvesco?

Use Alvesco 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. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Do not use Alvesco inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medicine to treat an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks.

Alvesco inhalation comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, and directions for priming the inhaler device. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Alvesco inhalation is most often used once daily, in the morning or evening. Follow your doctor's instructions. Rinse your mouth after inhaling this medication.

The inhaler device must be primed before your first use or any time you have not used the inhaler for 10 days or longer. For instructions on how to prime the inhaler, refer to the patient instructions provided with your medication.

Your dosage needs may change if you have surgery, are ill, are under stress, or have recently had an asthma attack. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about using less and less of the steroid before stopping completely.

It may take up to 4 weeks of using Alvesco inhalation before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

Call your doctor right away if you feel that Alvesco inhalation makes your condition worse.

Asthma is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications.

Store Alvesco at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the medicine canister away from open flame or high heat, such as in a car on a hot day. The canister may explode if it gets too hot.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Alvesco inhalation is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while using Alvesco?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Alvesco side effects

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:

wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using Alvesco;

sores or white patches in your mouth or throat;

vision problems, such as tunnel vision or blurred vision; or

worsening asthma symptoms.

Less serious Alvesco side effects may include:

unpleasant taste in your mouth;

dry mouth, burning or irritation in your mouth;

white patches or sores inside your mouth;

runny or stuffy nose, sore throat;

hoarse voice;

mild itching or skin rash;

joint pain, back pain; or

headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Alvesco side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Alvesco?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

conivaptan (Vaprisol);

an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);

an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole(Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);

HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), or ritonavir (Norvir); or

an antidepressant such as nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).

There may be other drugs that can interact with Alvesco 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.

More Alvesco resources

Alvesco Side Effects (in More Detail)

Alvesco Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Alvesco Drug Interactions

Alvesco Support Group

3 Reviews for Alvesco - Add your own review/rating

Compare Alvesco with other medications

Asthma

Asthma, Maintenance

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Alvesco inhalation.