What It Is:
Asmanex® Twisthaler (generic name mometasone furoate) is an inhaled steroid that is used to treat asthma. Inhaled steroids are highly effective in controlling asthma symptoms long term. Asmanex Twisthaler can be used as a first-line treatment in mild to moderate persistent asthma in the step-wise approach to preventing asthma symptoms and asthma attacks from occurring in both children (age 4 years and older) and adults.How It Works:
Asmanex is inhaled directly into your airways. As with most inhaled steroids, experts are not sure exactly how Asmanex works. But they do know that it reduces the inflammation in your airways caused by allergic triggers.Asmanex blocks the action of both inflammatory cells and chemicals that are involved in the immune process connected with allergic asthma. This medicine also makes your airways less irritable, so they won't react as easily when exposed to your asthma triggers, such as dust mites or animal dander.
These actions on the immune system lessen airway swelling and the amount of mucus produced. This, in turn, helps prevent asthma symptoms. However, Asmanex does not start working right away, so it should not be used as a rescue inhaler. Although beneficial effects may be felt within a day or two, more often it takes Asmanex 1 to 2 weeks to reach its full effect.
Forms & Doses:
Asmanex is available in the United States as an inhalation powder in a dry powder inhaler. It is available in 2 different strengths, either 110 micrograms or 220 micrograms. One canister will last about 45 days at the most. A dose counter is built into the cap. The usual dosage is 1 to 2 puffs twice a day, 110 mcg for children age 4 to 11, and 220 or 440 mcg for older children and adults. Asmanex should be taken everyday as prescribed, even if you are not having any symptoms.Risks & Side Effects:
Inhaled steroids as a group are quite safe to take in moderate to low doses. But, like most medicines, they do carry some risk of side effects. The following side effects are possible with Asmanex:- nasal allergy symptoms
- headache
- sore throat
- upper respiratory infection
- bone or muscle pain
- sinus infection
- back pain
- upset stomach
Most of those side effects will lessen over time. But if they do not or if they become bothersome, be sure to let your doctor know how you are feeling. There is a slight risk of more serious side effects. If you have any of the following, you should call your doctor right away:
- sore mouth, with white curd-like patches in the mouth or throat
- exposed to, or develop, any serious infection, including chicken pox, measles or tuberculosis
- decreased bone mass (after being on Asmanex for a long time)
Also, if you begin taking Asmanex after being on an oral steroid for some time, there can also be side effects. Be sure to talk with your doctor about danger signs and when to call him. Also, because steroids suppress the immune system, they can also make you more susceptible to infection, even for some time after you stop taking them. Most of the time, this is not a big problem. But if you're planning to have surgery or have an infection or serious injury, let your doctor know you have recently stopped taking oral steroids, so that precautions can be taken to keep you as healthy as possible.
What You Need to Know:
Asmanex uses a delivery device known as a "Twisthaler," different from the metered dose inhaler. It is what is known as a dry powder inhaler (DPI for short) and it is breath activated. Each time you replace the cap, the next dose is readied. All you have to do when it's time for your next dose is to twist and remove the cap, then place your lips around the Twisthaler's mouthpiece and breathe in. No pressing down, shaking, or anything else.It's important to use the correct technique with Asmanex. So, be sure to read the package instructions and ask your doctor or staff for help if needed. You can also check out the step-by-step illustrated tutorial on how to use Asmanex here.Inhaled steroids like Asmanex only work if you take them. And, as mentioned above, they take a while to start working to their full potential. So saving them for when your asthma symptoms appear or worsen isn't an effective way to control your asthma. If you need quick relief for asthma symptoms, then you'll want to use your quick-relief, or rescue, inhaler.
When you take more than one kind of medicine, they may interact with each other in unexpected ways. Check out our medical encyclopedia to see if there are any interactions among the drugs you are taking.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if any of the following things occur:
- Your breathing problems get worse while you are taking Asmanex.
- You need to start using your rescue inhaler more often than usual.
- Your rescue inhaler stops relieving your asthma symptoms.
- You need to use 4 or more puffs of your rescue inhaler for 2 or more days in a row.
- You use 1 whole canister of your rescue inhaler medicine in less than 8 weeks time.
- Your peak flow meter results worsen.
- Your asthma symptoms do not improve after you've been using Asmanex regularly for 1 to 2 weeks.
- You come down with the symptoms of measles or chickenpox.
Sources:
"Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma." NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. 28 Aug 2007. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. 18 Dec. 2007. <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.pdf>
"Asmanex Twisthaler Prescribing Information." Asmanex.com. 31 May 2008.
