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Health Centres - Asmanex twisthaler
How does it work?This medicine contains the active ingredient mometasone furoate, which is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid. Corticosteroid medicines are derivatives of corticosteroid hormones that are produced naturally by the adrenal glands. They are often simply called steroids, but it should be noted that they are very different from another group of steroids, called anabolic steroids, which have gained notoriety because of their abuse by some athletes and body builders.
Corticosteroids have many important functions in the body, including control of inflammatory responses. Corticosteroid medicines are mainly used for their effect in controlling inflammation, and corticosteroid inhalers are used by people with asthma to reduce inflammation in the lungs and prevent asthma attacks.
In asthma, the airways tighten due to inflammation and can also be blocked by mucus. This makes it difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs and causes difficulty breathing.
When mometasone is inhaled it is absorbed into cells in the lungs. Here it works by stopping the cells from producing various inflammation-causing chemicals. These chemicals include prostaglandins and various other inflammatory substances. These chemicals are important in the immune system and are normally involved in producing immune and allergic responses that result in inflammation. By decreasing the release of these chemicals in the lungs and airways, mometasone reduces inflammation.
By reducing the inflammation and hence the production of mucus in the airways, mometasone makes breathing easier and helps prevent asthma attacks. It is not used to treat an asthma attack.
Mometasone is used via an inhaler device. This delivers the medicine directly into the lungs where it is needed. Used in this way, a smaller dose is required and the likelihood of side effects elsewhere in the body is reduced.
What is it used for?
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Asthma
Warning!
- Inhalers may cause an unexpected increase in wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm) straight after using them. If this happens, stop using the inhaler immediately and consult your doctor. The medicine should be stopped and an alternative treatment found.
- This medicine is known as a preventer and should be used as a regular medicine to prevent asthma attacks. It should not be used to relieve an asthma attack as it will not work for this purpose. Make sure you carry your reliever inhaler (eg salbutamol or terbutaline) with you at all times to relieve an asthma attack if it happens. Consult your doctor if you need to use your reliever more frequently than normal, or if it becomes less effective at treating attacks.
- Inhaling corticosteroids can sometimes cause a fungal infection called thrush in the mouth. To minimise the risk of this, you should rinse your mouth with water after each time you use this inhaler.
Consult your doctor if you develop white patches in your mouth or throat, as these are symptoms of thrush and it may need to be treated.
- Carefully follow the instructions that are provided with your inhaler. If you are unsure about how to use your inhaler you can talk to your doctor, pharmacist or asthma nurse, all of whom will be able to help you. Make sure you understand how to use your inhalers, as using them incorrectly may mean that you are not inhaling the full dose of medicine into your lungs, and this of course can make them less effective at controlling your asthma.
- This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
- This medicine should be used regularly to prevent asthma attacks. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should not suddenly stop using this medicine, even if your asthma seems better. The medicine helps keep your asthma under control and stopping it may make your asthma worse again.
- When taken for long periods of time at high doses, corticosteroids have the potential to cause glaucoma, cataracts, thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), growth retardation in children and adolescents, and to decrease the functioning of the adrenal glands (glands that produce certain hormones). For this reason your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose for your symptoms, and monitor for these side effects. In particular, children and adolescents taking long-term corticosteroids should have their growth monitored. For further information discuss this with your doctor.
Use with caution in
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Active or inactive tuberculosis infection
- Herpes simplex virus infection of the eye
- Untreated infection affecting the rest of the body
Not to be used in
- Hereditary galactose intolerance
- Hereditary Lapp lactase deficiency
- Inherited inability to absorb the sugars glucose and galactose (glucose-galactose malabsorption)
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should be used with caution in nursing mothers, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the nursing infant. Discuss this with your doctor.
Side effects
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