Product Details

Description

Information About Asmanex Twisthaler

This medicine is a corticosteroid used to treat asthma and to help prevent asthma attacks. It may also be used in asthmatic patients who take oral steroid therapy to lessen or eliminate the need for oral steroid treatment or to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. This medication will not stop an asthma attack once one has started.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TO USE THIS MEDICINE, hold the inhaler straight up with the pink portion (the base) on the bottom. Holding the pink base, twist the cap in a counterclockwise direction to remove it. As you lift off the cap, the dose counter on the base will count down by one and load the device with the medicine that you are ready to inhale. Breathe out fully. Bring the twisthaler up to your mouth with the mouthpiece facing toward you. Place it in your mouth, hold it in a horizontal position, close your lips around the mouthpiece, and then take a fast deep breath. Since the medication is a very fine powder you may not be able to feel or taste it after inhalation. Remove the twisthaler from your mouth and hold your breath for about 10 seconds or as long as you comfortably can. Do not breathe out through the inhaler. After you use this medicine wipe the mouth piece dry. Be sure that the arrow is in line with the dose counter window. Immediately replace the cap by turning it in a clockwise direction while gently pressing down. You will hear a distinctive click to let you know that the cap is fully closed. RINSE YOUR MOUTH with water after using this medicine to help prevent mouth sores or bad taste. DO NOT SWALLOW THE RINSE WATER. Spit it out. When the counter indicates zero, the cap will lock and the unit must be discarded. Do not use the inhaler if the dose counter is not working correctly. Keep your inhaler clean and dry at all times. If the device needs cleaning, gently wipe the mouth-piece with a dry cloth or tissue as needed. Do not wash the inhaler. Avoid contact with any liquids. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Discard the inhaler in 45 days after opening the foil pouch or when dose counter reads 00, whichever comes first. Use this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you to remember. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.

Cautions

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include headache, sore throat, or runny nose. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience white patches in your mouth or throat, vision changes, or painful menstrual periods. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience breathing problems immediately after using this medicine, swelling in the hands or feet, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, unusual mental or mood changes, fever, or chills. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you take ketoconazole or corticosteroids (such as prednisone). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including osteoporosis; glaucoma; tuberculosis infection; eye infection; or any other fungal, bacterial, viral or parasitic infection; cataracts; recent vaccination, allergies, pregnancy or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED to stop an asthma attack. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT STOP AN ASTHMA ATTACK once one has started. IF YOU ARE ALSO USING A BRONCHODILATOR INHALER, be sure to always carry the bronchodilator inhaler with you to use during asthma attacks. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL DAYS for this medicine to work. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. IF YOU HAVE SWITCHED FROM AN ORAL CORTICOSTEROID (such as prednisone tablets) to this inhaler within the past 12 months, your body may not produce enough natural steroids. You may need to start taking additional corticosteroids, especially if your body is stressed due to major infections, injury or surgery. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific advice regarding stress situations. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following signs of low steroid levels unusual weakness, sudden weight loss, nausea or vomiting, fainting, severe dizziness, joint or muscle pain, or depression. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY LOWER YOUR RESISTANCE TO INFECTION. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other infections. Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have thoroughly washed your hands first. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE HAVING IMMUNIZATIONS (VACCINATIONS) while you are using this medicine. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD CHICKENPOX OR MEASLES, avoid contact with anyone who has any of these diseases. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN CHILDREN because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. This medicine may affect your childs growth rate. The effects of long-term use of this medicine on final adult height are not known. Your childs growth should be checked regularly while using this medicine. FOR WOMEN IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.