Generic Name: Alvesco (ciclesonide)
Alvesco Reviews
For Asthma "After using Seretide for approx 20 years and gradually getting more severe symptoms, I have to say Alvesco has been amazing. I haven't had an attack since I commenced using it approx 6 months ago, and I haven't had a chest infection either. I have mild bronchiectasis and was taking antibiotics for an infection once per month. I haven't needed the meds either. Cannot rate this highly enough! 1 puffer seems to last 4 months so I think the extra cost is worth it."
For Asthma, Maintenance "Although my insurance does not consider this a 'preferred' medication and, therefore, I need to take on more of the cost, it is well worth the money. You cannot put a price on feeling healthy and being able to breathe on a daily basis. This medication is a Godsend. If you are not satisfied with your breathing, I would definitely recommend you speak with your doctor about this inhaler. The bonus is you only have to remember to take it two times a day, morning and evening."
For Asthma, Maintenance "I've been on Alvesco longer than any of the many other steroid inhalers that I've used. In all the YEARS that I've been using it, I've never developed a thrush infection. ALL the others that I've ever used I would develop thrush fairly regularly. Even at the dose of 2 puffs twice daily, I've only developed thrush once with Alvesco. And as a maintenance med, it's worked great for me!"
For Asthma, Maintenance "Got a sample from my doctor when diagnosed with asthma. Side note: I have depression and take Lexapro. Day one...felt depressed. Day two...more depressed. Day three...super depressed. Immediately stopped taking Alvesco but it took a couple of days to shake it off. In my opinion, be careful with this one if you have depression!!!"
For Asthma, Maintenance "Effective medication, but has terrible side effects. Despite rinsing my mouth out, I’ve had the most awful sore throat and jaw pain (hard to open mouth). Also, I’ve felt so lethargic and depressed. Very strange given my perky nature. It’s an okay medication to take short term, but I will not be taking it for months at a time like my doctor suggested."
For Asthma, Maintenance "I’ve been using a different steroid inhaler for several years. My doctor changed my prescription to Alvesco. Even after the first use I noticed a difference in my asthma. I’ve had zero side effects and I’ve been using it for approximately a year."
For Asthma, Maintenance "I'm 50 years old, female, live in Brazil and I' ve been using alvesco since the asthma diagnosis, in March 2014. It's controlled now, but I can't stop using it. I use 160mg every morning and since I don't stop alvesco, I'm asthma free. The only side effect I notice is my voice, a little lower than it used to be. But I want to learn to live without medication!"
For Asthma "This is the best preventer I've taken in thirty years of suffering from asthma - I've had no attacks at all since starting it three months ago, and minimal side-effects. Hoarseness was always a huge problem for me with other inhaled steroids, so much so that I frequently stopped taking them, and instead relied on relievers to treat my allergic and exercise-induced asthma, until my attacks became so frequent that I had no choice but to go back onto steroid inhalers. However, Alvesco produces only minimal hoarseness, and despite being expensive (apparently. Living in Scotland, I get free prescriptions :-)) I'd recommend strongly to other sufferers who've had problems with steroid-induced hoarseness"
For Asthma "I am a 77 yr old female and I personally wouldn't use this medication inhaler. It has a corticosteroid in it and over time my fear is it may contribute to bone fractures. Over time the corticosteroid puts holes in bones thus weakening the bones and increasing potential fractures."
For Asthma, Maintenance "My 3-yr-old had severe, rare behavioral side effects to all the other asthma controller meds; they changed him from a shy, sweet boy into an angry and aggressive one. With Alvesco, he is a lot more himself and only slightly angrier and energetic. I recommend trying this medicine to see if it works better for you, too. It has kept our child out of the hospital, and we are thankful for that."
For Asthma "The best asthma medicine I have ever used (and I've used literally every one available). The side effects (slight light-headedness, mouth irritation) just went away within the first few days, apart from some sore muscles in the chest. All the dizziness, general muscle pain, and slight fever I had on Pulmicort simply vanished, which is very nice. Moreover, my cough and mucus production has clearly gone down compared to Pulmicort."
For Asthma, Maintenance "My son began this drug at 13 and stopped growing around the same time. His endocrinologist wanted to give him growth hormone. I took him off this crap and his levels went to normal. do not take as a kid."
For Asthma, Maintenance "My son started this at 20 months old It kept his asthma completely under control all winter (virus induced) He has grown over half a foot in the past 9 months so it does not stop growth. I think that other lady's kid just hadn't hit puberty"
For Asthma, Maintenance "I have exercise induced asthma. And if I used Alvesco a couple hours before a workout I never had to use my rescue inhaler. I have no unusual symptoms or side effects from Alvesco. Only down fall is it isn't covered by my insurance. Was able to swindle a 6 month supply of samples. But can afford the $300 a month price tag."
For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been on Alvesco, 80mg, for a little over 2 years. I was forced to leave Qvar due to insurance coverage and a limited formulary. I loved Qvar except the thrush. Now, no thrush and great treatment for my moderate asthma. I am 60 years old and started on steroids way back with Azmacort (as a kid, they gave us Prednisone - with many side effects). I'd recommend Alvesco above other oral steroids, although I'm sure everyone's bodies will react differently. I've had no side effects that I know of. Currently, due to spring allergies, I am going to try the 160mg version of Alvesco."
For Asthma "I say thank you 2 the company of Alvesco inhaler. Since using this my asthma attacks have become less frequent from getting admitted to hospital once a month, now only going in once every 5 months. My asthma is very chronic so I recommend Alvesco. THANK YOU. "
For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been having hives since I started taking Alvesco a few months ago. I was on a different inhaled corticosteroid for many years but it is no longer being made. I think I may be allergic to something in this medication. I will try to stop taking it to see if the hives and rashes stop. It seemed to help my asthma but I have had a slight cough also."
For Asthma "Did NOT work for me. Used it for 30 days. I was hoarse the whole time, and during the 25-30th day had developed thrush (which I got rid of by using salt water gargles). I've had asthma reaction to the historic pollen levels in Atlanta (2010) all through the pollen season (March through to the end of May)."
For Asthma, Maintenance "Alvesco does reduce asthma, but this drug is not amazing. After a few months only side effects were headaches and vivid dreams of explosive sounds in my head like glass shattering while sleeping very odd. Other than that I’d recommend it."
For Asthma, Maintenance "I used this medication for a few days for asthma maintenance per doctors' recommendations, and it was frightening, to say the least. During dose usage, I experienced flu-like symptoms, dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme joint and back pain, fatigue, headache, sinus facial pain and pressure, cognitive dysfunction, and painful jaw pain. Suffice it to say, I will not be continuing this medication! Horrible experience!"
For Asthma "I have tried Symbicort and Wixela and can say Alvesco worked for me better than both of those other drugs. I noticed no side effects with Alvesco so far (2 months into using it) and I find I can breath better with it then when I was using the two previously mentioned brands. Only downside is it made me dizzy for the first four days I used it, but that cleared after four days."
For Asthma, Maintenance "I have a little weigh scale that measures the doses on 9 common inhalers. Alvesco is always short about 20 days, sometimes more!! My pharmacy continually giving me heck over ordering too soon?? I showed them and they said they would report to the company but never happens"
For Asthma "Works well for asthma but sore throat is really aggravating. And it’s not refillable so every month, I have to purchase a plastic inhaler that goes straight to landfill. Where is the maker’s sense of environmental responsibility?"
For Asthma "I have a pulmo scale that measures 9 different types of inhalers including Alvesco. It is always at least 20 doses short. I am continually in trouble with my pharmacy for ordering it too "soon". They told me to contact the manufacturer. I am on 4 puffs per day and it works really well for me but I'm considering asking for a change. Tired of the hassle with the pharmacy."
For Asthma, Maintenance "My Pulmonary Function Tests were the best they have been in 12 years since I switched from Advair Diskus to Alvesco. I feel so much better."
More about Alvesco (ciclesonide)
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Patient resources
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Professional resources
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- Ciclesonide (Systemic, Oral Inhalation) (AHFS Monograph)
Related treatment guides
- Asthma
- Asthma, Maintenance
