Alvesco (ciclesonide) is a prescription inhaler used to treat asthma. Alvesco can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache, throat pain, and upper respiratory infection.

Specifically, Alvesco is used to prevent asthma symptoms in adults and children ages 12 and older.

The active ingredient in Alvesco is ciclesonide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a mist that you’ll inhale into your lungs.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Alvesco can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Note: Alvesco is not meant to treat immediate symptoms of an asthma attack. For this, your doctor will prescribe a rescue inhaler.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Alvesco treatment. A few examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Alvesco. These include:

In most cases, mild side effects like cough, headache, or nausea may be temporary and resolve on their own. And over-the-counter medications may easily manage other side effects, such as dry mouth or sore throat.

But if you have ongoing or bothersome symptoms, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You should not stop using Alvesco unless your doctor recommends it.

Alvesco may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Alvesco, but this side effect was not reported in studies.

Serious side effects have been reported with Alvesco. These include:

  • weakened immune system and increased risk of infection
  • decreased adrenal gland function
  • excess cortisol in the body
  • decreased bone density (weakened bones)
  • glaucoma and cataracts
  • bronchospasm (wheezing or difficulty breathing) that happens right after inhaling Alvesco*
  • severe allergic reaction*†

If you develop serious side effects while using Alvesco, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Alvesco, but this side effect was not reported in studies.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Alvesco, visit MedWatch.

Alvesco is used to help prevent asthma symptoms in children ages 12 years and older.

One side effect specific to children using inhaled corticosteroids such as Alvesco is slowed growth. However, specific data from Alvesco’s studies didn’t show slowed growth in children. More studies are needed to confirm that Alvesco does not affect growth in children.

It’s recommended that children using Alvesco get regular check-ups to monitor their growth. For more information about the potential side effects of Alvesco in children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Alvesco’s side effects.

Can Alvesco cause withdrawal symptoms?

No, Alvesco isn’t expected to cause withdrawal symptoms. (These are side effects that can occur when you stop using a drug that your body has become dependent on.)

However, caution should be used if you’re switching from an oral steroid to an inhaled steroid such as Alvesco. This is because oral steroids can stop the production of your body’s steroids, primarily cortisol.

Suddenly stopping an oral steroid to switch to Alvesco can cause withdrawal symptoms such as:

Severe withdrawal can lead to coma and even death. if you’re switching from an inhaled steroid to Alvesco treatment, your doctor will gradually decrease your dose of the oral steroid to help prevent withdrawal symptoms.

If you have other questions about stopping an oral steroid and starting Alvesco treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Alvesco cause long-term side effects?

Alvesco may cause long-term side effects in some people, including:

  • chronic oral thrush*
  • weakened immune system
  • decreased adrenal gland function
  • decreased bone density (weakened bones)
  • glaucoma and cataracts
  • slowed growth in children

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you’re concerned about possible long-term side effects from Alvesco, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do side effects of Alvesco compare with those seen with other similar drugs, such as Advair?

Alvesco and fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (Advair HFA, Advair Diskus) are both prescription drugs used to treat asthma. Some of their side effects are similar, including:

If you have other questions about how the side effects of Alvesco and Advair compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see this article to learn more about Advair’s side effects.

Is weight gain or anxiety a possible side effect of Alvesco?

It’s not likely. Weight gain and anxiety were not reported side effects in studies of Alvesco.

Oral forms of corticosteroids (commonly called steroids) may cause weight gain and anxiety. Alvesco is an inhaled steroid, and much less of the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream compared with an oral steroid. This means it isn’t likely to cause weight gain or anxiety.

Learn more about some of the side effects Alvesco may cause.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush was a common side effect reported in studies of Alvesco. This may cause symptoms such as:

  • burning or painful sensation in the mouth or throat
  • dry mouth
  • difficulty eating or drinking
  • white or yellow coating or bumps on the tongue, inner cheeks, mouth, or throat
  • soreness and redness inside the mouth
  • loss of taste or having a bad taste in your mouth

Factors that can increase the risk of oral thrush with Alvesco include:

  • smoking
  • drinking alcohol
  • wearing dentures
  • taking antibiotics
  • using mouthwash that contains alcohol
  • having diabetes, cancer, or another condition that suppresses the immune system

What might help

If you have symptoms of oral thrush during your Alvesco treatment, talk with your doctor. If they confirm your symptoms are due to an infection, they can prescribe an antifungal drug to treat it.

To help prevent oral thrush during your Alvesco treatment, remember to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with plain water after each use. People who wear dentures can prevent oral thrush by disinfecting their dentures regularly and by not wearing them while sleeping.

Bronchospasm

Bronchospasm right after inhaling Alvesco is a rare but possible side effect. This is known to occur with inhaled medications such as Alvesco.

A bronchospasm tightens the airways in your lungs. This may cause symptoms such as:

  • wheezing
  • coughing
  • dizziness
  • shortness of breath
  • pain or tightness in the chest

What might help

If you experience a bronchospasm after using Alvesco, immediately stop using Alvesco and use your rescue inhaler. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if your symptoms don’t go away after using your rescue inhaler.

If you experience a bronchospasm after using Alvesco, your doctor will likely suggest stopping your treatment. They can recommend another asthma treatment for you instead.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Alvesco can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This was not a reported side effect in studies of the drug. But, allergic reactions have been reported after the drug became available for use.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Alvesco, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Alvesco, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Alvesco treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were using when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Alvesco affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before using Alvesco.

Warnings

Alvesco can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Alvesco is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Alvesco. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Alcohol and Alvesco

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Alvesco. However, alcohol may worsen certain side effects of the drugs, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol may also be a trigger for asthma. This means that drinking alcohol may make your asthma worse.

If you have a yeast infection of the mouth or throat from Alvesco, drinking alcohol may make it worse. It’s recommended that you avoid alcohol until your yeast infection is completely gone.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol during your Alvesco treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Alvesco

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Alvesco during pregnancy.

It’s important to note that untreated asthma during pregnancy may cause harm to a fetus, including low birth weight and premature birth. Also, untreated asthma can cause preeclampsia (high blood pressure during or after delivery).

If you’re pregnant or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Alvesco.

It also isn’t known whether Alvesco is safe to use while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using Alvesco.

Like most drugs, Alvesco can cause a number of side effects that range from mild to serious. However, most are temporary and go away after a few days to weeks. If you have questions about side effects that Alvesco can cause, talk with your doctor.

Examples of questions you may want to ask include:

  • Are there any side effects of Alvesco that require immediate medical attention?
  • Can Alvesco cause changes in my mood or behavior?
  • What is my risk of weakened bones from Alvesco, and how can I help prevent this?

To learn more about Alvesco, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.