Asmanex (Mometasone Furoate) from Maple Leaf Medications.

Asmanex Uses

Asmanex is a dry powder inhaler that’s used to prevent and manage asthma in adults and children 12 years of age. This medication is a long-acting inhaler, meaning it’s intended as a prophylactic treatment and is not indicated to stop the symptoms of asthma attacks at their onset. Proper use of this medication involves regular, long-term use in order to maintain the symptoms of asthma. Please note that Asmanex is not capable of curing asthma.

How does it work?

The active ingredient used in Asmanex is called Mometasone Furoate, which is a type of drug known as an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Corticosteroids are synthetic copies of hormones found naturally in the body. Steroids are used in the immune system to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the chemicals that cause the inflammation response.

The inflamed tissue is an important step in the body’s ability to heal itself from damage or illnesses, as it helps prompt healthy blood flow and increases the presence of white blood cells, which protect vulnerable tissues from viruses or bacterial infection.

Who Should Not Use This Medication?

Do not use this medication if you have a hypersensitivity to mometasone, lactose, or other milk proteins, you should not use this medication. The non-medical ingredient in Asmanex is called lactose anhydrous, which contains trace amounts of milk proteins. Severely lactose intolerant individuals may consider using a different medication under a doctor’s discretion. Call emergency medical services at once if you notice signs of an allergic reaction including skin rashes or hives, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, and difficulty breathing or swallowing.

If you are suffering from an untreated infection, then you should not use this medication until after the infection is fully treated. This is because corticosteroids affect the immune system in a number of ways, including reducing the activity of white blood cells. Without the protection of white blood cells, the tissues in the area the corticosteroid was administered become more vulnerable to infections from attacking viruses or bacteria. Infections that complicate the use of this drug include bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections, tuberculosis, herpes simplex infections in the eye, and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections.

Do not, under any circumstance, attempt to stop onset bronchospasms or asthma attacks that cause hyperventilation and difficulty breathing with Asmanex. This medication is not capable of replacing your rescue inhaler. If you find yourself having breathlessness attacks and you do not have your rescue inhaler, you need to call for emergency medical services immediately.

Warnings & Precautions

Asmanex Withdrawal Symptoms
Corticosteroids such as mometasone can cause withdrawal if its use is suddenly stopped without proper medical guidance. Withdrawal symptoms for Asmanex include weakness, fatigue, and loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting spells, low blood sugar, and menstrual changes.

If you have been taking Asmanex and your rescue inhaler stops being as effective as it used to be for treating asthma attacks, then it may be necessary to stop taking this medication. Talk to your doctor for help gradually decreasing your dose.

Asmanex Side Effects

It is normal to experience side effects after using the medication. Inhaled corticosteroids are powerful medications. Monitor your health and report any side effects that are severely uncomfortable, painful, or lingering.

It is common to experience:

• Swollen, sore, irritated or inflamed throat
• Dry mouth or throat
• Excessive saliva secretions
• Hoarseness
• Painful or burning feeling of the tongue
• Blocked nose
• Runny nose
• Polyps
• Nose bleeds
• Inflammation of the nose or allergy symptoms
• Red or itchy eyes
• Ear pain
• Cough
• Nausea
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Thirst
• Headache
• Migraine
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Symptoms before menstruation

If you experience any of these more serious side effects, you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible:

• Thrush (white patches in the mouth, sore throat)
• Allergic reactions
• Easy fractures
• Joint pain
• Worsening asthma attacks
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Bruising
• Excessive bleeding
• Liver problems (dark urine, fatigue, loss of appetite, jaundice)
• Low blood pressure
• Eye pain
• Vision changes
• Irregular uterine bleeding
• Depression

Asmanex Dosage

Asmanex comes in a dry powder formulation that’s inhaled orally and it comes in the following strengths:

• Asmanex 100 mcg inhaler
• Asmanex 200 mcg inhaler
• Asmanex 400 mcg inhaler

Your dose will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of asthma, reactions to the drug, previous medical history, and current or past use of other corticosteroid medications. Always follow your doctor’s dosing instructions, and communicate your full medical history to ensure you receive the safest dose for you.

For asthmatic control, use this medication at least once daily at the same time(s) for each inhalation. It is recommended to take Asmanex in the evenings for the best results. If you also use a bronchodilator, take Asmanex several minutes after using your bronchodilator inhaler. Never exceed the dosage given to you by your doctor.

How to Use Asmanex inhaler

Inhalers should be thrown away when the dose meter reads “00”, or 2 months after being removed from their container. Make sure to read and follow any instructions given to you by your doctor or included with the inhaler.

1. Remove the cap at the top by twisting it counterclockwise and lifting it off the base. Note that this should cause the dose counter to tick down. The inhaler should be loaded now.
2. Breathe out fully to prepare yourself, then, while keeping the inhaler upright, bring the mouthpiece to your lips. Breathe in quickly and deeply while making sure the ventilation holes are not being covered.
3. Hold your breath for 10 seconds
4. Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out. Do not swallow
5. Clean your inhaler with a clean, dry cloth. Close the cap and make sure it’s firmly secured.

Storage

Store in a dry place at room temperature out of the reach of children.