Azmacort

Azmacort is a prescription medication used for the prevention and treatment of asthma. Azmacort belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids, more commonly known as steroids. It works by affecting the immune system to decrease inflammation of the airways. 

Azmacort comes as an inhaler and may be given up to 4 times daily. 

Common side effects of Azmacort include inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis), sore throat (pharyngitis), and headache.

Azmacort is a prescription medication used for the prevention and treatment of asthma.

• Recommended doses are for adults and children aged 6 years and older. 
• Azmacort does not contain medication intended to provide rapid relief of your breathing difficulties during an asthma attack.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• your age
• the severity of the condition being treated
• how your respond to this medication

The usual recommended dosage of Azmacort for adults is two inhalations (150 mcg) given three to four times a day or four inhalations (300 mcg) given twice daily. The maximal daily intake should not exceed 16 inhalations (1200 mcg) in adults. Higher initial doses (12 to 16 inhalations per day) may be considered in patients with more severe asthma.

The usual recommended dosage of Azmacort in children 6-12 years of age is one or two inhalations (75 to 150 mcg) given three to four times a day or two to four inhalations (150 to 300 mcg) given twice daily. The maximal daily intake should not exceed 12 inhalations (900 mcg) in children 6 to 12 years of age.

Serious side effects have been reported with Azmacort including the following:

• ​Slowed growth in children. A child's growth should be checked often.
• Steroid withdrawal from oral steroids. Tell your healthcare provider if you or your child experiences:
  • ​joint or muscular pain
  • lack of energy
  • depression
• ​Adrenal insufficiency that can lead to death can happen when you stop taking oral corticosteroid medicines and start using inhaled corticosteroid medicines. Adrenal insufficiency can also happen in people who take higher doses of Azmacort than recommended over a long period of time. When your body is under stress such as from fever, trauma (such as a car accident), infection, or surgery, adrenal insufficiency can get worse. Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include:
  • feeling tired or exhausted (fatigue)
  • lack of energy
  • weakness
  • nausea and vomiting
  • low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • dizziness or feeling faint

Do not take Azmacort if you are allergic to Azmacort or to any of its ingredients.

Serious side effects have been reported with Azmacort. See the “Azmacort Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Azmacort include:

• inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
• sore throat (pharyngitis)
• headache
• flu syndrome
• back pain

This is not a complete list of Azmacort side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. The following are medications that may interact with Azmacort since it contains triamcinolone:

• arthritis medications
• aspirin
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diuretics ('water pills')
• estrogen (Premarin)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• oral contraceptives
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• rifampin (Rifadin)
• theophylline (Theo-Dur)
• vitamins

This is not a complete list of Azmacort drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Azmacort fall into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known whether Azmacort crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Azmacort.

Triamcinolone is available in several forms to treat inflammation in many body parts and body systems.

Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid and may cause side effects that alter mood or behavior, hormone regulation, and susceptibility to infection.

Triamcinolone may interact with many other classes of drugs, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any other medication, vitamin, or herbal supplement.