Alvesco (ciclesonide) is a brand-name inhaler that’s used to help prevent the symptoms of asthma. Alvesco has interactions with some other drugs. Examples include ketoconazole and desmopressin.
Alvesco is prescribed to help prevent the symptoms of asthma in adults and children ages 12 years and older.
An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.
Alvesco comes as an aerosol inhaler.
To learn more about Alvesco’s interactions, keep reading. For additional information, including details about its uses, see this article on Alvesco.
Before you start treatment with Alvesco, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Alvesco interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Alvesco and other interactions” section.)
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Alvesco. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Alvesco. Some of these interactions are described in detail in “Drug interactions in depth.”
| Drug class or drug name | Drug examples | Interaction result with Alvesco |
|---|---|---|
| certain antifungals | • ketoconazole • itraconazole (Sporanox) | can increase the risk of side effects of Alvesco |
| certain HIV drugs | • ritonavir (Norvir) • nelfinavir (Viracept) | can increase the risk of side effects of Alvesco |
| clarithromycin | — | can increase the risk of side effects of Alvesco |
| desmopressin | — | may cause low blood sodium levels |
In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Alvesco due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Alvesco include:
Having an asthma attack
Alvesco should not be used as a rescue medication to treat a sudden asthma attack or difficulty breathing. Your doctor will likely prescribe a fast-acting rescue medication, such as albuterol (ProAir, Ventolin HFA), to treat sudden breathing difficulties. It’s important to always carry your rescue medication with you at all times.
Having had an allergic reaction to Alvesco or any of its ingredients
If you have had an allergic reaction to Alvesco or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Alvesco. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
Note:Before you start treatment with Alvesco, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Alvesco.
There aren’t any known interactions between Alvesco and alcohol. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Alvesco treatment.
This is because drinking alcohol while taking the drug may worsen some of Alvesco’s side effects. For example, you may experience:
- headaches
- nausea
In addition, consuming alcohol may trigger an asthma attack in some people. If you have questions about drinking alcohol while using Alvesco, talk with your doctor.
Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Alvesco.
Certain antifungals
Antifungals are drugs prescribed to treat infections caused by a fungus.
Interaction result: Using Alvesco while taking certain antifungal medications can increase your risk of side effects of Alvesco.
Interaction explained: Certain antifungals can affect the way Alvesco is broken down by the liver. When you take Alvesco with certain antifungals, the levels of the metabolite (a substance that is formed after the drug is broken down) are higher. With Alvesco, the metabolite can also have effects on the body. This higher level of metabolite increases the risk of side effects of Alvesco.
Examples of antifungal drugs: Here are some antifungals that may interact with Alvesco:
- ketoconazole
- itraconazole (Sporanox)
Steps you or your doctor may take: If you get a fungal infection while taking Alvesco, your doctor can determine which antifungal treatment is right for you. If they prescribe certain antifungals for your infection, they’ll likely monitor you more closely for side effects.
Desmopressin
Desmopressin is prescribed to treat a variety of conditions, including bed wetting, diabetes insipidus, and certain bleeding disorders.
Interaction result: Using Alvesco with desmopressin can increase the risk of low sodium levels in the blood.
Interaction explained: Desmopressin can cause fluid retention, leading to low sodium levels in your blood. Alvesco can also affect fluid levels in the body and further increase the risk of low sodium levels. This interaction is more likely to occur when Alvesco is used at high doses or for a prolonged period.
Steps you or your doctor may take: Before starting treatment with Alvesco, tell your doctor if you are taking desmopressin. Because of this interaction, your doctor may recommend a different option to treat your asthma.
Clarithromycin
Clarithromycin is an antibiotic prescribed to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Interaction result: Using Alvesco while taking clarithromycin can increase the risk of side effects of Alvesco.
Interaction explained: Clarithromycin can affect the way Alvesco is broken down by the liver. When Alvesco is taken with clarithromycin, the levels of the metabolite (a substance formed after the drug is broken down) are higher. With Alvesco, the metabolite can also have effects on the body. This higher level of metabolite increases the risk of side effects of Alvesco.
Steps you or your doctor may take: If you develop an infection while using Alvesco, your doctor can decide whether treatment with clarithromycin is right for you. They may monitor you more closely for side effects. Or they may prescribe a different antibiotic to treat your infection.
Alvesco may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Alvesco.
Alvesco interactions with supplements
It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.
Alvesco interactions with herbs
There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Alvesco. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Alvesco treatment.
Alvesco interactions with vitamins
There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Alvesco. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Alvesco.
Alvesco interactions with food
There were no reports of food interactions with Alvesco. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Alvesco, talk with your doctor.
Alvesco interactions with vaccines
There aren’t any known interactions between Alvesco and vaccines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.
Alvesco interactions with lab tests
Alvesco isn’t known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.
ALVESCO INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBDCannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Alvesco. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Alvesco. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Alvesco treatment plan.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Alvesco. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Alvesco may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.
Health conditions or factors that might interact with Alvesco include:
- Infections: Using Alvesco can weaken your immune system. This may make it harder for your body to fight off an infection. It may also cause infections that have been inactive in your body, such as tuberculosis (TB), to become active again. Tell your doctor if you have had tuberculosis in the past or if you currently have any type of infection. To help reduce the risk of infections, talk with your doctor about whether you need any vaccines before starting treatment with Alvesco.
- Eye problems: Talk with your doctor about any eye conditions you have before starting Alvesco. In clinical studies, some people have developed increased eye pressure, cataracts, or glaucoma during treatment with Alvesco. If you have a history of eye problems or anyone in your family has had eye problems, your doctor will likely recommend you have regular eye exams while using Alvesco.
- Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Alvesco or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Alvesco. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
- Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Alvesco while breastfeeding. There isn’t enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Alvesco may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Alvesco. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed a child who is breastfed.
- Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Alvesco is safe to use while pregnant. However, asthma that is left unmanaged can pose risks during pregnancy to both the fetus and the mother. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Alvesco. They can advise on the right treatment plan for you.
You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Alvesco. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:
- Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
- Create a
medication list , which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.
It’s also important to read the Alvesco label and other
If Alvesco doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
You can also help prevent interactions with Alvesco by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.