Azmacort Aerosol
Chemical
Name: TRIAMCINOLONE (trye-am-SIN-oh-lone)
Common Azmacort uses
This
medicine is a corticosteroid used to treat
asthma. This medicine is also used to prevent
asthma attacks. IT WILL NOT STOP an asthma
attack once one has started. It may also be used
to treat other conditions as determined by your
doctor.
Before using Azmacort
WARNING: If you have switched from an oral
corticosteroid (e.g., 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 such as stomach
infections (gastroenteritis), surgery, or
injury. Deaths have occurred during such
stresses, due to low steroid levels. Consult
your doctor or pharmacist now for specific
advice regarding stress situations; you may need
to carry a supply of corticosteroid tablets as a
precaution. Routine blood tests may be performed
(e.g., morning cortisol levels). Seek immediate
medical attention if you experience any of the
following signs of low steroid levels: unusual
weakness, sudden weight loss, vomiting, fainting
or severe dizziness. Carry a warning card or
medical ID bracelet that identifies your need
for oral corticosteroids during times of stress
as noted. Some medicines or medical conditions
may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR
DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and
over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.
Inform your doctor of any other medical
conditions such as: glaucoma, cataracts, and any
illnesses or infections. Inform your doctor of
any recent exposure to contagious diseases such
as chickenpox and measles. ADDITIONAL MONITORING
OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you
are taking barbiturates, birth control pills,
rifampin, or medicine for seizures. Inform your
doctor of any allergies, pregnancy, or
breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or
pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns
about taking this medicine.
Azmacort Directions
Follow
the directions for using this medicine provided
by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY COME with an
instruction leaflet. Ask your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist any questions that you may have
before using this medicine. BEFORE USING THIS
MEDICINE, be sure that the canister is properly
inserted into the inhaler unit and SHAKE WELL.
Each time a new inhaler is used turn the
canister away from the face and press down into
the mouthpiece to release test sprays into the
air. This process is called priming and will
allow you to be sure the inhaler is working
properly and will provide a full dose of
medicine. Exhale slowly and deeply. UNLESS YOUR
DOCTOR HAS TOLD YOU OTHERWISE, position the
mouthpiece between your lips and try to rest
your tongue flat. Your doctor may have told you
to hold the inhaler 1 or 2 inches (2 or 3
centimeters) away from the open mouth or may
have instructed you to use a special spacing
device. As you start to take a slow deep breath,
press the canister and mouthpiece together at
exactly the same time to administer a dose of
this medicine. Continue inhaling slowly and
deeply and hold for as long as comfortable, then
exhale slowly through pursed lips or through the
nose. If more than 1 inhalation is to be used,
wait a few minutes and repeat the above process.
KEEP THE SPRAY AWAY from your eyes. Ask your
pharmacist if you have any questions. RINSE YOUR
MOUTH OR GARGLE with water after using this
medicine to prevent mouth sores or bad taste.
KEEP TRACK OF THE NUMBER OF SPRAYS YOU USE and
subtract this number from the number of doses in
the container. This will help you know when the
container is becoming empty. STORE THIS MEDICINE
at room temperature, away from extreme
temperatures and direct sunlight. Do not
puncture, break, or burn the canister even if it
appears to be empty. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS
MEDICINE, use it as soon as possible, then go
back to your regular dosing schedule.
Azmacort Cautions
DO NOT
USE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic
reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient
in this product. 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 inhaler with you to use during
asthma attacks. AFTER YOU BEGIN USING THIS
MEDICINE, a few weeks may pass before the full
benefit is obtained. Continue to use it as
directed during this time. IMPORTANT: If you
have switched from an oral corticosteroid (e.g.,
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 such as
stomach infections (gastroenteritis), surgery,
or injury. 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, vomiting, fainting, or severe dizziness.
BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL
TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the
doctor or dentist that you are using this
medicine. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY
APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine.
Avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles. BEFORE
YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either
prescription or over-the-counter, check with
your doctor or pharmacist. THIS MEDICINE MAY
AFFECT GROWTH RATE in children. Your child's
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.
Possible side effects of Azmacort
SIDE
EFFECTS that may go away during treatment
include headache, dry mouth, hoarseness, or
irritated throat. If they continue or are
bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH
YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you
experience white curd-like patches in mouth, or
rash. If you notice other effects not listed
above, contact your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
Drug interactions
Drug
interactions can result in unwanted side effects
or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use
our drug interaction checker to find out if your
medicines interact with each other.
Check drug interactions
If you take too much Azmacort
If
overdose is suspected, contact your local poison
control center or emergency room immediately.
Additional Azmacort information
If your
symptoms do not improve after regular use of
this medicine or if your asthma becomes worse,
contact your doctor. If you switched from oral
corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone tablets) to an
inhaler within the last 12 months, carry a
warning card or medical ID bracelet that
identifies your possible need of supplemental
steroids during periods of stress or a severe
asthma attack. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with
others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT
USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions.
KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children.
ALWAYS HAVE A SPARE INHALER available in case
the unit malfunctions or is empty. IF USING THIS
MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain
refills before your supply runs out.
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