Asmanex (mometasone)

uses

What is Asmanex used for?Asmanex (mometasone) is commonly used as a controller medicine for asthma, a long-term lung disease involving narrow and inflamed airways, which makes it hard to breathe.Asmanex may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.See Mometasone nasal and Mometasone topical for information on other mometasone dosage forms. How does Asmanex work (mechanism of action)?People with asthma have ongoing airflow problems in the lungs. Asmanex is an inhaled corticosteroid that decreases the inflammation of the airways in your lungs, which helps improve airflow and make breathing easier.How is Asmanex supplied (dosage forms)?Asmanex is available as Asmanex HFA and Asmanex Twisthaler in the following dosage forms that are inhaled by mouth.50 mcg/actuation inhalation aerosol (HFA inhaler)100 mcg/actuation inhalation aerosol (HFA inhaler)200 mcg/actuation inhalation aerosol (HFA inhaler)110 mcg/actuation inhalation powder (Twisthaler inhaler)220 mcg/actuation inhalation powder (Twisthaler inhaler)How should I store Asmanex?Asmanex should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool (away from direct heat or sunlight), dry place. Asmanex Inhalation Powder. Only open the foil pouch when you are ready to use the inhaler. Throw away the medicine 45 days after opening the foil pouch or when the dose counter reaches zero (00), whichever comes first.Asmanex Inhalation Aerosol. Do not expose the medicine to a heating element, open flame, or temperatures higher than 120 F (49 C), as it may cause the canister to burst. Do not puncture the canister.Â

how to use

powder or spray that is inhaled

drug interactions

Does Asmanex interact with foods or drinks?There are no known interactions between Asmanex and foods or drinks.It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Asmanex.Does Asmanex interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Asmanex.Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infectionsRitonavir, atazanavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, saquinavir, or cobicistat containing medicine, which is a medicine for HIV or AIDSNefazodone, which is a medicine used for depressionClarithromycin, which is an antibiotic that is used for infections caused by certain bacteriaSome other medicines may alter the blood levels of Asmanex. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Asmanex. Always check with your healthcare provider.

side effects

What are the most common side effects of Asmanex?The most common side effects of Asmanex are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptomsHeadacheInflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinusesBronchitisViral infection, such as the fluPainful menstrual periodsUpset stomachMuscle and bone painBack painThere may be other side effects of Asmanex that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.What are the serious side effects of Asmanex?While less common, the most serious side effects of Asmanex are described below, along with what to do if they happen.Severe Allergic Reactions. Asmanex may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Asmanex and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.Breathing problems or wheezingRacing heartFever or general ill feelingSwollen lymph nodesSwelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throatTrouble swallowing or throat tightnessItching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hivesNausea or vomitingDizziness, feeling lightheaded, or faintingStomach crampsJoint painOral Thrush. Asmanex can cause a fungal infection in your mouth and throat, a condition known as oral thrush or oral candidiasis. To help prevent the risk of thrush, rinse your mouth with water and spit out the water (do not swallow it) after each dose of Asmanex. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms of oral thrush. Cracking in the corners of the mouthLoss of tasteRed or white patches in the mouth or throatRaised white spots in the mouth or throatPain in your throatHoarsenessSudden Breathing Problems. Asmanex may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) right after you use it, instead of relaxing these muscles. In some cases this can be serious. Stop using Asmanex and contact your healthcare provider right away if your breathing gets worse instead of better right after using Asmanex.Eye Problems. Asmanex may increase pressure inside the eye and cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. It can also cause cataracts (clouding of the eye lens). It is important to have regular eye exams while using Asmanex. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma or cataracts.Loss of vision or vision changesEye pain or rednessSevere headache or vomitingVision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmySeeing bright, colorful circles around lights (vision halos)Reduced Adrenal Function. Long-term use of Asmanex can cause your adrenal glands to stop making as much cortisol (the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency. This is especially a concern if you have been taking a corticosteroid by mouth, such as prednisone, and you stop it and switch to Asmanex. Adrenal insufficiency can get worse if your body is under stress because of fever, surgery, or trauma. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.Nausea and vomitingWeakness, tiredness, or lack of energyDizzinessInfection. Asmanex can weaken your immune system, making you more likely to get an infection, including a serious infection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of an infection, or if you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles.FeverChillsFeeling tiredBody aches and painsNausea or vomitingWeak Bones. Using Asmanex for a long time may cause the bones to become weaker, leading to reduced bone density (osteopenia). It may also cause a more serious condition called osteoporosis, which can cause bones to break (fracture) more easily. Talk with your healthcare provider about any risk factors you have for weak bones, such as limited ability to move around, family history of weak bones, poor eating habits, long-term use of a corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions or medicine to treat and prevent seizures. If you use Asmanex, your healthcare provider may monitor your bone density or recommend treatment based on the results. Tell your healthcare provider if you break a bone, and get a bone mineral density test if one is ordered for you.Slow Growth. Asmanex may slow down growth in children and adolescents who are still growing. Talk with the healthcare provider if you have any concerns about how your child is growing.Immune System Reaction. Rarely, using Asmanex may increase your risk of developing an immune system reaction. The reaction is sometimes called Churg-Strauss Syndrome or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. You may have high levels of eosinophils, including small masses of immune cells in inflamed tissues, and vasculitis. This is especially a concern if you have been taking a corticosteroid by mouth, such as prednisone, and you stop it and switch to Asmanex. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms.RashWorsening breathing problemsHeart problemsPain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet

overdose and misseddose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Asmanex?If you or someone else has used too much Asmanex, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.What should I do if I miss a dose of Asmanex?If you miss a dose, just use your next regularly scheduled dose when it is due. Do not take double or extra doses.

warnings and Precautions

Who should not use Asmanex?Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Asmanex.Asmanex TwisthalerAsmanex HFAMometasoneAny of the ingredients in the specific product dispensedYour pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Asmanex.Severe Milk Allergy. People with a severe milk allergy should not use Asmanex inhalation powder.Sudden Asthma Symptoms. People who are currently having a sudden worsening of symptoms, such as from an asthma attack, should not use Asmanex to treat these symptoms. Asmanex should be used daily to prevent and manage symptoms. Do not use it as a rescue inhaler.What should I know about Asmanex before using it?Do not use Asmanex unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.Ask your pharmacist or other healthcare provider to show you how to correctly prime, use, and clean your Asmanex. Follow the “Instructions for Use” that comes with your medicine. Shake Asmanex inhalation aerosol well before each use.Do not share Asmanex with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.Keep Asmanex out of the reach of children.If you use other inhaled medicines for your asthma, talk with your healthcare provider about when to use each of them and in what order. Do not stop or change any medicines you take for asthma without talking to your healthcare provider first.Asmanex is a medicine used daily to prevent symptoms. It may take several weeks to see the full benefits of use. Do not change your dose without advice from your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if you do not see improvement or if your breathing gets worse after starting to use Asmanex.Do not use Asmanex when a quick response to breathing problems is needed. Other inhaled medicines, sometimes called rescue inhalers, should be used to treat sudden symptoms. Get medical help right away if your breathing does not get better after using a rescue inhaler.If you have not had the vaccine for chickenpox or measles, you should stay away from anyone infected with either of these. Asmanex inhalation powder does not need to be primed. It expires 45 days after removing it from the foil pouch. You can write the date on the cap to help you keep track of this. Asmanex inhalation aerosol must be primed before the first use and when it has not been used for more than 5 days. Throw your medicine away when the dose counter has reached “0”, “00”, or it is past the expiration date, whichever happens sooner.Avoid spraying Asmanex in your face or eyes. If you accidentally get some in your eyes, rinse your eyes with water. If your eyes stay red or irritated, call your healthcare provider.What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Asmanex?Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Asmanex is right for you.In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.Any allergies, including food allergiesLiver problemsWeak bones, such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, or family history of osteoporosisProblems with your immune systemEye problems, such as blurry vision, cataracts, or glaucomaHave not had or been vaccinated against chickenpox or measles, or if you are around someone with chickenpox or measlesTuberculosisCurrent infections that have not been treated, including a herpes eye infectionOther Medicines and Supplements. Asmanex may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Asmanex, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Asmanex could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Asmanex while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.Breastfeeding. It is not known if Asmanex passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Asmanex while breastfeeding.How can I get more information about Asmanex?For more information about Asmanex, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.asmanex.com/ or call them at 844-674-3200.

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