Ciclesonide Inhalation

Ciclesonide is a prescription medication used to prevent the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Ciclesonide is a corticosteroid used prevent asthma attacks in adults and children who are atleast 12 years.

• Ciclesonide are available under various brand names: Alvesco, Alvesco HFA

Common side effects of Ciclesonide include:

• unpleasant taste in the mouth;
• dry mouth, burning or irritation in the mouth;
• runny or stuffy nose, sore throat;
• hoarse voice;
• mild itching or skin rash;
• joint pain, back pain; or
• headache.

Serious side effects of Ciclesonide include:

• hives,
• difficult breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medication;
• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);
• sores or white patches in your mouth or throat;
• vision problems, such as tunnel vision or blurred vision; or
• worsening asthma symptoms.

Rare side effects of Ciclesonide include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

MDI

• 80 mcg/inhalation
• 160 mcg/inhalation

Asthma, Prophylaxis

Adult dosage

• Receiving Bronchodilators or Inhaled Corticosteroids: 80 mcg inhaled orally twice daily initially; may increase to 160 mcg twice daily
• Receiving Oral Corticosteroids: 80 mcg inhaled orally twice daily initially; may increase to 320 mcg twice daily

Pediatric dosage

Aged below 12 years: Safety and efficacy not established

Aged above 12 years:

• Receiving bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids: 80 mcg inhaled orally twice daily initially; may increase to 160 mcg twice daily
• Receiving Oral Corticosteroids: 80 mcg inhaled twice daily initially; may increase to 320 mcg twice daily

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Ciclesonide has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Ciclesonide has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • abametapir
  • apalutamide
  • lonafarnib
  • saquinavir
  • tucatinib
• Ciclesonide has moderate interactions with at least 25 other drugs.
• Ciclesonide has minor interactions with the following drug:
  • ribociclib

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the rxlist Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Allergic to ciclesonide.

Effects of drug abuse

• none

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ciclesonide?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ciclesonide?”

Cautions

• Ciclesonide inhalation will not work fast enough to treat an asthma attack. Use only a fast acting inhalation medicine for an asthma attack. Tell your doctor if it seems like your asthma medications don't work as well.
• Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.
• Ciclesonide inhalation can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine
• 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.
• You should not stop using ciclesonide inhalation suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.
• Your dose needs may change if you have surgery, are ill, are under stress, or have recently had an asthma attack. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice

Pregnancy and Lactation

• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ciclesonide inhalation will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication
• Lactation
  • It is not known whether ciclesonide inhalation passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.