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 Taking ciclesonide (Alvesco)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed ciclesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid, for the maintenance treatment of your asthma. This medication directly blocks the inflammation in the airways, keeping the air passages open and preventing the breathing difficulties you associate with asthma. This drug isn’t an emergency drug and shouldn’t be used for acute attacks. The brand name of this drug is Alvesco.
How you’ll take ciclesonide
You should take ciclesonide twice a day, using the provided inhaler.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, wait and take the next scheduled dose. Don’t double up or make up missed doses.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: headache, dry throat, sore throat, nasal congestion, back pain, upper respiratory infection, joint aches.
Less common: fatigue, nausea, dizziness, decreased bone mass, infections, wheezing.
What you must know about other medications
No drugs are known to interact with this drug. If you are using other inhaled drugs, however, you should consult your health care provider about the best timing of drug administration.
Special directions
- Take this drug twice a day, using the provided inhaler. Don’t take more than the prescribed dose.
- It may take up to 4 weeks to feel the full effects of this drug; use it regularly as prescribed.
- To use: breathe out completely, place the inhaler in your mouth, closing your lips around it and keeping your tongue below it. While breathing deeply and slowly, press down the center of the dose indicator, fully depressing the canister. Hold your breath for 10 seconds, or as long as you can comfortably hold it. Take your finger off the center of the dose indicator and remove the inhaler from your mouth; breathe gently. Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out; don’t swallow the water.
- Replace the cap on the mouth piece after each use; clean the mouthpiece weekly with a clean dry cloth or tissue. Don’t wash any part of the inhaler in water.
- Discard the inhaler when the dose indicator shows a zero.
Keep in mind
- This drug isn’t a “rescue” medication, so don’t use it for an acute attack.
- You should use this drug regularly. Don’t stop using it because you feel better; this drug is for maintenance treatment.
- Notify your health care provider if your asthma attacks become more frequent.
- It’s unknown how this drug could affect a fetus. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, consult your health care provider.
- It’s unknown how this drug could affect a nursing baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, you might need to use another method of feeding the baby while you are taking this drug. Consult your health care provider.
- Decreased bone mass may occur in people who use inhaled steroids over a long period of time. If you are at risk for decreased bone mass (for example, during menopause), discuss bone health measures with your health care provider.
- Report more frequent asthma attacks, throat infections, difficulty breathing after or during use of this drug, nausea, dizziness or faintness, or feeling exhausted and weak.
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