{"id":55105,"date":"2022-11-07T11:37:05","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T16:37:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=55105"},"modified":"2024-10-25T11:03:53","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T15:03:53","slug":"alvesco-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/alvesco-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Alvesco alternatives: What can I take instead of Alvesco?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Centers for Disease Control estimates 1 in 13 people have <\/span>asthma<\/span><\/a>. It can occur at any age, but typically starts in <\/span>childhood<\/span><\/a>. We don’t usually know why someone develops asthma, though we do have a pretty good idea of the triggers. Exercise, pollen, infections, and cold air are a few of the things that can trigger asthmatic symptoms. When the symptoms get really bad, and you are having a difficult time breathing, this is called an asthma attack or asthma exacerbation, and that can be very scary.<\/span><\/p>\n

But wait… What is asthma? <\/span>Asthma<\/span><\/a> is a lung disease. While you may treat it and control it, it never really goes away. Asthma is characterized by the airways in your lungs becoming inflamed and\/or lined with mucus, and because of this, it is hard to move air through your lungs. This results in it feeling like it is hard to breathe. You will feel short of breath, chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. This can become worse when you try to do activities like running or exercise.<\/span><\/p>\n

When you are asthmatic or have asthma, the best thing you can do is have a treatment plan. There are two important components of this plan: your maintenance plan to minimize symptoms and your action plan for when you have an exacerbation. These won’t just involve asthma medications, they will include monitoring your breathing and knowing your <\/span>triggers<\/span><\/a> so you can avoid them to the best of your ability. What if exercise is one of your triggers? Are you never supposed to exercise again? No, that is not true. We want to make sure your maintenance plan and pre-medications allow you to exercise safely without an exacerbation.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to know that maintenance asthma medications are different from rescue asthma medications. Rescue medications are fast-acting <\/span>bronchodilators<\/span><\/a> like the prescription drug albuterol. Those who are at an increased risk for a severe asthma exacerbation based on their medication history should always have access to a metered dose inhaler (MDI) of <\/span>albuterol<\/span><\/a> or other FDA-approved rescue medication to make sure lung function can be maintained until appropriate medical attention can be sought.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alvesco<\/span><\/a> (ciclesonide) is an inhaled corticosteroid prescription medication that was approved for the U.S. market in 2008 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for asthma maintenance treatment in patients at least 12 years of age or older. As an inhaled corticosteroid, Alvesco limits the inflammatory processes in the airways which cause the restrictive inflammation that makes you feel short of breath. It is not fast-acting, so it will not save you if you are having an asthma attack or asthma exacerbation.<\/span><\/p>\n

While steroids are very effective maintenance treatments for asthma, long-term use of corticosteroids have drawbacks to your health as well. They can weaken your systemic immune system making you more prone to serious viral infections or bacterial infections, including tuberculosis. Inhaled steroids, like Alvesco, leave you vulnerable to “thrush”, an oral <\/span>Candida albicans<\/span><\/i> infection which can be difficult to cure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, if you are concerned Alvesco is not right for you for any reason, whether because of your age, side effects, or any other reason, there are other maintenance choices out there to help you keep your asthma maintained as controlled so that you can live an active lifestyle. <\/span><\/p>\n

This is not intended to be medical advice, and you should always speak to your doctor before making changes to your medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of Alvesco?<\/span><\/h2>\n

You may have a few different options when looking for an alternative to Alvesco. Your age may determine what options are appropriate for you. There are other corticosteroid <\/span>inhalers<\/span><\/a> available, some of which are available generically. Alvesco does not currently have a generic on the market. Some inhalers have different delivery mechanisms, oral mists versus oral powder inhalers. There are combination inhalers that add long-acting beta-agonists to the corticosteroids for additional activity to control the asthma symptoms. If you are struggling with the technique of using an oral inhaler or just prefer an oral solid dosage form, those are available as well. Below are some options you could speak to your doctor about when planning out your asthma maintenance plan. Do not stop your current treatment plan before speaking to your healthcare professional.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Compare Alvesco alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alvesco (ciclesonide)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment<\/span><\/td>\n80 mcg to 160 mcg inhaled by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nAlvesco coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qvar Redihaler (beclomethasone)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment<\/span><\/td>\n40 mcg to 80 mcg inhaled by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nQvar Redihaler coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flovent HFA (fluticasone)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment<\/span><\/td>\n88 mcg (2 puffs) inhaled by mouth twice daily (up to 4 puffs twice daily)<\/span><\/td>\nFlovent HFA coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Arnuity Ellipta (fluticasone)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment<\/span><\/td>\n100 mcg inhaled by mouth once daily (up to 200 mcg once daily)<\/span><\/td>\nArnuity Eliipta coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment<\/span><\/td>\n360 mcg (2 puffs) inhaled twice daily (up to 4 puffs twice daily)<\/span><\/td>\nPulmicort Flexhaler coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asmanex HFA (mometasone)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment<\/span><\/td>\n200 mcg to 400 mcg inhaled by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nAsmanex HFA coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flovent Diskus (fluticasone)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment<\/span><\/td>\n100 mcg to 500 mcg inhaled by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nFlovent Diskus coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Symbicort (budesonide\/ formoterol)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)<\/span><\/td>\n2 puffs (80\/4.5 or 160\/4.5 mcg) inhaled by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nSymbicort coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Singulair (montelukast)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment, Exercise-induced bronchospasm prophylaxis, treatment of allergic rhinitis<\/span><\/td>\n10 mg by mouth daily in the evening<\/span><\/td>\nSingulair coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deltasone (prednisone)<\/span><\/td>\nMaintenance treatment in patients with severe, persistent asthma, multiple other immune-related and inflammatory conditions<\/span><\/td>\n7.5 mg to 60 mg by mouth once daily in the morning<\/span><\/td>\nDeltasone coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium)<\/span><\/td>\nAsthma maintenance treatment, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)<\/span><\/td>\n2 puffs (2.5 mcg) inhaled by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nSpiriva Respimat coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to Alvesco<\/span><\/h3>\n