Asmanex Inhaler: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Asmanex Inhaler (mometasone furoate) is a prescription inhaled corticosteroid used for the daily, long-term maintenance treatment of asthma in people 5 years of age and older. It helps prevent asthma attacks by reducing airway swelling and irritation over time. It is not a quick-relief medicine for sudden breathing problems, so a separate fast-acting rescue inhaler should always be kept on hand.

What is Asmanex Inhaler

Asmanex HFA is a prescription inhaler that contains a corticosteroid (steroid) medicine. It is used every day to help prevent and control asthma symptoms over the long term. It is not a quick-relief medicine for sudden breathing problems.

Asmanex Inhaler uses

• Maintenance (daily, long-term) treatment of asthma in people 5 years of age and older, to help prevent asthma attacks

Benefits of Asmanex Inhaler

• Helps prevent asthma symptoms
• Reduces airway inflammation
• Helps reduce wheezing
• Improves long-term asthma control
• May reduce the frequency of asthma flare-ups

How Asmanex Inhaler works

Asthma causes ongoing swelling and irritation in the airways of the lungs. This medicine is a corticosteroid that reduces that swelling and irritation, which helps improve airflow and makes breathing easier.

Asmanex Inhaler dosage

This medicine is for inhaling by mouth only — do not swallow it or spray it in the eyes. Shake the inhaler well before each use. Use it at regular times every day, morning and evening, since it works best with regular use. It may take a week or longer to feel the full benefit, so keep using it even if you don't feel better right away. This medicine does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms — always carry a separate fast-acting rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems.

After each use, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out without swallowing, to help prevent a mouth/throat yeast infection (thrush). If you miss a dose, just take your next dose at the usual time — do not double up. Only use the Asmanex canister with its own matching actuator (mouthpiece device); do not mix parts with other inhalers. Do not remove the metal canister from the plastic actuator.

Clean the mouthpiece with a dry cloth after every 7 days of use — do not wash it with water. Before first use, and again if the inhaler has not been used for more than 5 days, prime it by spraying test puffs into the air, away from the face, shaking well before each spray. Do not stop or change the dose without talking to your doctor, since symptoms can come back.

Available forms and strengths

• Inhalation aerosol (metered dose inhaler) in 50 mcg, 100 mcg, and 200 mcg strengths per actuation

Side effects of Asmanex Inhaler

Common

• Inflammation of the nose and throat (nasopharyngitis)
• Headache
• Sinus inflammation (sinusitis)
• Bronchitis
• Flu (influenza)
• Sore throat or common cold symptoms
• Painful menstrual periods
• Upset stomach
• Muscle and bone pain
• Back pain

Serious

• Thrush (yeast infection) in the mouth or throat
• Signs of infection such as fever, tiredness, body aches, nausea, or vomiting
• Adrenal insufficiency, with symptoms like tiredness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, or dizziness
• Sudden increased wheezing or breathing problems right after using the inhaler (paradoxical bronchospasm)
• Serious allergic reactions, including rash, hives, swelling of the face/mouth/tongue, or trouble breathing
• Lower bone mineral density over the long term
• Slowed growth in children
• Eye problems including glaucoma, cataracts, or blurred vision

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine is not for treating sudden asthma attacks or acute breathing problems — it will not act fast enough. Always keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler with you.
• Using this medicine can make you more prone to a mouth and throat yeast infection called thrush. Rinsing and spitting out water after each dose can help prevent this.
• People using this medicine may become more vulnerable to infections, including serious or worsening cases of tuberculosis, fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, and chickenpox or measles can be more severe. Avoid contact with people who have these infections if you haven't had them before.
• Switching from oral steroid pills to this inhaler can be risky. Some patients have died from adrenal gland problems during or after this kind of switch. Any change should be done slowly and under a doctor's guidance.
• This medicine can occasionally cause a sudden tightening of the airways right after use, which can be serious. Stop use and get medical help if your breathing gets worse right after inhaling.
• Serious allergic reactions can happen, including hives, swelling, rash, and severe whole-body allergic reactions. Stop using the medicine right away if this occurs.
• Long-term use may thin the bones, especially in people who already have risk factors for weak bones.
• This medicine may slow growth in children who use it over a long period. Doctors should check children's growth regularly.
• Long-term use has been linked to eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts. Regular eye exams are recommended, especially with long-term use.
• Certain medicines for fungal infections or HIV (like ketoconazole or ritonavir) can raise the amount of steroid absorbed from this inhaler into the body, increasing side effect risk. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take.
• It is not known if this medicine is safe for an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant so they can help you weigh the benefits and risks.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could affect a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor to decide whether to use this medicine or breastfeed.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, since levels of the medicine in the body may increase with liver impairment.
• This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C); brief exposure to 59°F–86°F (15°C–30°C) is allowed, such as during transport
• After priming, store the inhaler with the mouthpiece pointing down or sideways
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not puncture the canister
• Do not use or store near heat or open flame
• Storage above 120°F (49°C) may cause the canister to burst
• Never throw the container into a fire or incinerator
• Throw away the inhaler once the dose counter reads 0, even if it does not feel empty

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if your breathing problems get worse while using this medicine
• Get medical help right away if you need to use your rescue inhaler more often than usual, or if it doesn't work as well as it used to
• Get medical help right away if you need 4 or more puffs of your rescue inhaler on 2 or more days in a row, or if you use a whole rescue inhaler canister within 8 weeks
• Contact your doctor if your peak flow meter readings drop below the levels your doctor told you were normal for you
• Contact your doctor if your asthma symptoms do not improve after using this medicine regularly for 1 to 2 weeks
• Stop the medicine and seek emergency care immediately if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, or swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue, or breathing problems
• Call your doctor if you accidentally get the spray in your eyes and redness or irritation continues after rinsing with water
• If you think you or someone else has used too much of this medicine, get medical help right away

Alternatives

• Budesonide
• Fluticasone
• Beclomethasone