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Brand Names: Alvesco HFA

Generic Name: ciclesonide (inhalation) (Pronunciation: sye KLES oh nide)

• What is ciclesonide (Alvesco HFA)?
• What are the possible side effects of ciclesonide inhalation (Alvesco HFA)?
• What is the most important information I should know about ciclesonide (Alvesco HFA)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before using ciclesonide (Alvesco HFA)?
• How should I use ciclesonide inhalation (Alvesco HFA)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Alvesco HFA)?
• What happens if I overdose (Alvesco HFA)?
• What should I avoid while using ciclesonide inhalation (Alvesco HFA)?
• What other drugs will affect ciclesonide inhalation (Alvesco HFA)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is ciclesonide (Alvesco HFA)?

Ciclesonide is a corticosteroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Ciclesonide is used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children 12 years and older.

Ciclesonide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of ciclesonide inhalation (Alvesco HFA)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medication;
• sores or white patches in your mouth or throat;
• vision problems, such as tunnel vision or blurred vision; or
• worsening asthma symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

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

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about ciclesonide (Alvesco HFA)?

Do not use ciclesonide inhalation to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medicine to treat an asthma attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your asthma medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing asthma attacks.

Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ciclesonide.

Before using ciclesonide, tell your doctor if you have tuberculosis, an infection of your mouth or throat (such as oral thrush), glaucoma or history of cataracts, herpes infection of your eyes, or a personal or family history of osteoporosis.

If you also use a steroid medication, do not stop using the steroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about using less and less of the steroid before stopping completely.

Call your doctor right away if you feel that ciclesonide inhalation makes your condition worse.

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.

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