ciclesonide at a glance
Medicine class
Inhaled corticosteroid preventer
Licensed use
Persistent asthma in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over
Inhaler type
Pressurised metered-dose solution inhaler; shaking is not required
Spacer option
AeroChamber Plus can be used when coordination is difficult
Sudden symptoms
Use the prescribed reliever, not ciclesonide
What is ciclesonide used for?
The selected UK product is licensed to control persistent asthma in:
Adults.
Adolescents aged 12 years and over.
How does ciclesonide work?
Lung enzymes convert ciclesonide into an active metabolite that suppresses airway inflammation, helping prevent asthma symptoms and attacks.
ciclesonide preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 80 micrograms/metered dose, 160 micrograms/metered dose
How to take ciclesonide
Use the inhaler exactly as prescribed and ask a clinician or pharmacist to check your technique. Sit or stand upright, breathe out away from the device, seal your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in slowly and deeply while pressing the canister. Hold your breath for as long as comfortable, then breathe out slowly. Do not shake the inhaler or breathe out into it.
Prime a new inhaler, or one unused for at least a week, as described in its leaflet.
An AeroChamber Plus spacer can help if pressing and inhaling together is difficult.
Wipe the mouthpiece with a dry cloth or tissue; do not wash or immerse it.
Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after use.
ciclesonide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Uncommon: hoarse voice, cough after inhalation, or mouth or throat irritation or dryness.
- Uncommon: oral thrush, headache, unpleasant taste, nausea or vomiting.
- Uncommon: rash or eczema.
Get urgent medical advice
- Seek urgent help for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, especially with breathing or swallowing difficulty.
- Stop further inhalations and seek urgent assessment if wheezing or chest tightness worsens immediately after use.
- Seek medical review for blurred vision or another new visual disturbance.
- Prolonged high exposure can rarely cause adrenal suppression, reduced bone density, cataract, glaucoma or behavioural changes.
ciclesonide in pregnancy
Good asthma control remains important during pregnancy. Do not stop an inhaled corticosteroid without clinical advice. Evidence for the class has not shown harm to the baby, but ciclesonide-specific data are limited, so discuss its risks and benefits with the prescriber.
ciclesonide while breastfeeding
Inhaled corticosteroids are expected to produce negligible concentrations in breast milk and can generally be used while breastfeeding a full-term, healthy infant. Direct information about ciclesonide is limited; seek specialist or prescriber advice if the infant is premature or unwell or the situation is complex.
ciclesonide interactions
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors can increase exposure to ciclesonide’s active metabolite and the risk of systemic corticosteroid effects.
Ketoconazole or itraconazole
Combined use should generally be avoided unless the expected benefit outweighs the risk and monitoring is arranged.
Ritonavir, nelfinavir or cobicistat-containing products
These can increase the risk of adrenal suppression or Cushing-like effects.
Common questions about ciclesonide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is ciclesonide a preventer or reliever inhaler?
It is a corticosteroid preventer, not a treatment for sudden asthma symptoms.
Who can use it for asthma?
The selected product is licensed for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over with persistent asthma. Safety and effectiveness below this age have not been established.
Does the inhaler need shaking?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.