What is ciclesonide? What is ciclesonide used for?
Ciclesonide (Alvesco) is a man-made steroid for inhalation in the
glucocorticoid family. It is related to the naturally-occurring steroid
hormone, cortisol or hydrocortisone, produced by the adrenal glands. The body
converts ciclesonide to des-ciclesonide, which is the active form of the drug.
Glucocorticoid steroids have potent anti-inflammatory actions. When used as an
inhaler, ciclesonide travels to the airways in the lung. In
people with asthma, the suppression of inflammation within the airways
reduces the spasm of muscle cells that surround the airways as well as the
accumulation of fluid and cells that accompanies the inflammation which lead to
narrowing of the airways. The narrowing makes it difficult to get air into and
out of the
lungs. When used in lower doses, very little ciclesonide is absorbed into
the body. When higher doses are used, ciclesonide is absorbed and may cause side
effects elsewhere in the body. The FDA approved ciclesonide in January 2010.
What brand names are available for ciclesonide?
Alvesco
Is ciclesonide available as a generic drug?
No
Do I need a prescription for ciclesonide?
Yes
What are the side effects of ciclesonide?
WARNING
- Ciclesonide may cause bronchospasm.
- Ciclesonide should not be used for treatment of acute asthmatic
attacks. - Ciclesonide may worsen existing viral, bacterial, fungal, or
parasitic infections such as
tuberculosis,
measles,
chicken pox, or
herpes.
What is the dosage for ciclesonide?
The recommended dose is 80 to 320 mcg oral inhalation twice daily.
QUESTION
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease.
See Answer
Which drugs or supplements interact with ciclesonide?
Some drugs (for example, ketoconazole
[Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric]) that reduce the
activity of
liver enzymes that breakdown drugs may increase the levels of des-ciclesonide,
which is the active form of ciclesonide, and lead to increased exposure of the
body to des-ciclesonide and more side effects.
Is ciclesonide safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Use during
pregnancy has not been adequately evaluated. Ciclesonide harmed the fetus in
animal reproductive studies.
It is not known whether ciclesonide is secreted in breast
milk. Other medications in this class are secreted into breast milk. It is not
known whether the small amounts of ciclesonide that may appear in breast milk
have an effect on the infant.
What else should I know about ciclesonide?
What preparations of ciclesonide are available?
Aerosol: 80, and 160 mcg per inhalation
How should I keep ciclesonide stored?
Ciclesonide should be stored at room temperature, between 15 C and
30 C (59 F and 86 F).