Alvesco Side Effects

Generic name: ciclesonide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 1, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Alvesco.

Applies to ciclesonide: inhalation aerosol liquid Side Effects associated with ciclesonide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Alvesco.

Applies to ciclesonide: inhalation aerosol liquid.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects .

This medicine may weaken your immune system. Avoid being around people who are sick or have infections such as chickenpox or measles. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles .

This medicine may also increase your risk of having infections or sores in your mouth or throat. Check with your doctor right away if you notice any signs of a throat infection .

This medicine may cause children to grow more slowly than normal. This would cause a child not to gain weight or get taller. Talk with your doctor if you think this is a problem .

This medicine may increase your risk of having an adrenal gland that is less active than normal. The adrenal gland makes steroids for your body. This is more likely for people who use steroids for a long time or use high doses. Check with your doctor right away if you have more than one of the following symptoms: darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting. Rarely, menstrual cycle changes, acne, pimples, or weight gain (fat deposits) around the face, neck, and trunk may occur while taking this medicine .

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) .

Before you have any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine .

If your symptoms do not improve within four weeks, or if they become worse, check with your doctor .

Serious side effects of Alvesco

Along with its needed effects, ciclesonide (the active ingredient contained in Alvesco) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking ciclesonide:

Other side effects of Alvesco

Some side effects of ciclesonide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ciclesonide: inhalation aerosol.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reactions have included headache, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, upper respiratory infection, arthralgia, nasal congestion, and back pain.^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Application site reaction, application site dryness^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, upper respiratory infection, nasal congestion, hoarseness, pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Laryngitis
• Frequency not reported: Cough, dysphonia, dry throat, paradoxical bronchospasm^[Ref]

Cough, dysphonia, and dry throat were reported in less than 1% of patients and at a greater incidence than with placebo. Paradoxical bronchospasm may be related to the drug, the excipient, or evaporation cooling in the case of metered dose inhalers.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity side effects have included immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reactions such as angioedema with swelling of lips, tongue, and pharynx.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Oral candidiasis, gastroenteritis, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, diarrhea, toothache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bad taste
• Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, nausea^[Ref]

During clinical trials, Candida albicans infections of the mouth and pharynx occurred 32 of 3038 patients (1%); the majority of infections occurred in patients receiving 320 mcg per day. Most cases were mild to moderate. Dry mouth and nausea were reported in less than 1% of patients and at a greater incidence than with placebo.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis
• Frequency not reported: Glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, cataracts^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Urticaria
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eczema, rash^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Extremity pain, back pain^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Palpitations, hypertension
• Frequency not reported: Chest discomfort^[Ref]

Chest discomfort was reported in less than 1% of patients and at a greater incidence than with placebo. Palpitations were mostly observed in patients taking concomitant medication known to have cardiac effects.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Agitation, insomnia, depression, anxiety, behavioral changes^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Can asthma inhalers cause a sore throat?

Further information

Alvesco side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer