ALVESCO (CICLESONIDE)

Alvesco Description

Alvesco is a man-made corticosteroid medication that is administered through an inhaler to prevent and reduce the symptoms of asthma and to help improve the symptoms of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Your doctor can prescribe Alvesco to be used along with other asthma meds, including corticosteroids and bronchodilators. Alvesco is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

How Alvesco Works

The active ingredient in Alvesco is called Ciclesonide; it works as a prodrug in that it changes from the parent drug into des-ciclesonide (or RM1) when it is inhaled into your airways. This active metabolite possesses a greater glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity and reduces inflammation and swelling in your airways to make breathing easier as it prevents the release of substances in your body that cause your symptoms.

Conditions Treated by Alvesco

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning. Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood.

Although the exact cause of asthma is unknown, it is believed that genetic and environmental factors may interact to cause asthma, which usually appears in childhood. These factors include: an inherited tendency for allergies; certain respiratory infections during childhood; parents with asthma; contact with airborne allergens or exposure to viral infections early in life when the immune system is still developing.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, progressive lung diseases that makes it difficult to breathe. More than 12 million people in the US have COPD which is the fourth leading cause of death. The most common cause of COPD is smoking.

Before Alvesco is Prescribed

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breast feeding as Alvesco may be harmful to your unborn or nursing baby. Before using Alvesco, advise your doctor of any other medical conditions you have, especially: tuberculosis, an infection of your mouth or throat, glaucoma or history of cataracts, herpes infection of your eyes, or a personal or family history of osteoporosis.

Alvesco must be used regularly every day to obtain the maximum benefits. While you might feel this medication starting to work within 24 hours, it will likely take several weeks before the full benefit of Alvesco takes effect.

Alvesco Precautions

Alvesco will not work fast enough to treat an asthma attack. A fast acting inhalation medicine should be used for an asthma attack. Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. You should avoid contact people with infections and inform your doctor if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles.

Possible Alvesco Side Effects

• Headache
• Joint pain
• Irritation of the nose and throat
• Upper respiratory infection