Uses and Important Safety Information You Should Know About Azmacort® (triamcinolone acetonide) Inhalation Aerosol
Uses
- Azmacort® (triamcinolone acetonide) Inhalation Aerosol is used in the maintenance treatment of asthma in children 6 years of age and older and adults. Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol is also used for people with asthma who require oral steroids, where adding Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol may reduce or eliminate the need for the oral steroids.
- Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol is NOT to be used to relieve sudden asthma symptoms.
Important Safety Information
Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol contains medication that is intended for treatment of asthma. It does not contain medication intended to provide rapid relief of your breathing difficulties during an asthma attack.
It is very important that you use Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol regularly at the intervals recommended by your healthcare professional, and not as an emergency measure. Your healthcare professional will decide whether other medication is needed, should you require immediate relief.
- Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol should not be taken by people who are allergic to any product ingredient.
- Use Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol regularly, as directed. Asthma may improve following one week of treatment, but maximum benefit may take two weeks or more. Do not increase the dose your healthcare professional has prescribed for you. Contact your healthcare professional if symptoms worsen or do not improve.
- Contact your healthcare professional immediately if you experience shortness of breath or wheezing directly after a dose of Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol, or if your asthma does not improve after use of a rescue inhaler.
- If changing to Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol from oral steroids, follow your healthcare professional’s instructions carefully. Oral steroids may be added during periods of stress or a severe asthmatic attack.
- When changing from an oral steroid to Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol, you may experience allergy symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes and/or redness or itching of the skin. Some patients may also experience joint or muscle pain, tiredness, and/or depression.
- Tell your healthcare professional about all your medical conditions and the medicines you take.
- Localized infections with Candida albicans, a fungal infection, may occur in your mouth and throat while using Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol and should be treated by your healthcare professional.
- Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles and contact your healthcare professional immediately if exposed.
- Orally inhaled steroids, including Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol may cause a reduction in growth rate in children. The long term effects on final adult height are unknown. To minimize these effects, your healthcare professional may adjust the medicine to the lowest dose that controls your symptoms.
- Refer to the Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol Patient Guide you received along with your medication for important instructions on using Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol. You should track your use of Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol and dispose of the canister after 240 puffs.
- The most common side effects when taking Azmacort include sinus infections, sore throat, headache, flu syndrome, and back pain.
This important safety information does not include all the information patients should know before taking Azmacort Inhalation Aerosol. If you have further questions, or are not sure about something, you should ask your doctor, healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Reference: Azmacort [package insert]. North Chicago, IL: Abbott Laboratories.
300-278303
