Triamcinolone oral inhaler
What is triamcinolone oral inhaler?
TRIAMCINOLONE (Azmacort®) is a corticosteroid that is used by inhaling the drug into the lungs. It helps to reduce and control the symptoms of asthma (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness) and other lung conditions. It does not provide instant relief and cannot be used to treat a sudden asthma attack. It works only when used on a regular basis to help reduce inflammation and prevent asthma attacks. A generic triamcinolone oral inhaler is not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I use triamcinolone?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
diabetes
blood clotting problems
heart, liver, or kidney disease
high blood pressure
infection; measles, tuberculosis, herpes or chickenpox
mental problems or psychosis
myasthenia gravis
osteoporosis
previous heart attack
seizures (convulsions)
stomach or intestinal disease
under-active thyroid
an unusual or allergic reaction to triamcinolone, corticosteroids, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Read the instructions that come with this inhaler, they will show you how to set up the inhaler for use.
Before you use a new inhaler for the first time, it must be prepared (’primed’) for use. Shake the canister well. Then, holding the canister away from the face, spray it once into the air. Shake again, and spray into the air one more time. The inhaler is now ready to use.
If you do not use your inhaler for more than 3 days, you should repeat the above procedure to re-prime the inhaler. Re-priming is not needed if you have used your inhaler at least once in the past 3 days. Always do the preparation procedure when you get a new inhaler refill.
If you are also using a bronchodilator inhaler (such as albuterol) on a regular basis, use that inhaler first. Wait a few minutes before using triamcinolone.
Use triamcinolone oral inhaler by mouth. Shake the canister well before use. Breathe out completely. Place the mouthpiece between open lips, past the teeth. Close lips firmly around the mouthpiece. Press down on the canister one time while breathing in deeply and slowly through your mouth. Keep the canister in your mouth and hold your breath for a count of 10 or as long as you can. Remove the canister from your mouth and breathe out slowly. If you are using more than one spray, wait 1 minute between inhalations, shake the inhaler again, and repeat above procedure. Gargle or rinse your mouth with water after the last dose. Do not use more than the recommended dose.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This inhaler is commonly used in children 6 years of age and older.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. Space the remaining doses for that day at regular intervals. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with triamcinolone?
antiinflammatory drugs, (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
blood thinners such as warfarin
certain heart medicines
female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
medicines for diabetes
medicines that improve muscle tone or strength for conditions like myasthenia gravis
phenytoin
rifampin
vaccines and other immunization products
water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from using triamcinolone?
If triamcinolone is used for long periods of time or in high doses, other serious side effects may develop. Report any other unusual effects to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as you can.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
increased wheezing or difficulty breathing
mouth sores or thrush (white patches in the mouth)
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
cough
dry mouth or throat irritation
headache
nausea
unpleasant taste
What should I watch for while taking triamcinolone?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Triamcinolone inhaler works best if you use it regularly even when you do not have asthma symptoms. Do not stop using your medication without your prescriber’s advice.
Triamcinolone is intended to prevent asthma attacks and it can take up to 4 weeks of treatment for you to see the full beneficial effect.
Do not use triamcinolone to treat an asthma attack that has already started; it will not work. It is not used as a “quick-relief” medicine to treat an asthma attack. Therefore, you should always have your “quick-relief” medicine with you to treat an asthma attack. Talk with your prescriber about what you should do if you have an acute asthma attack.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if your asthma gets worse. If you find that your medicines become less effective in treating your asthma, you should contact your health care professional as soon as possible.
Do not to stop taking or decrease the use of your other asthma treatments when starting triamcinolone unless otherwise directed by their health care prescriber. Follow your prescriber’s directions exactly.
Carry an identification card with your name, the type and dose of corticosteroid, and your prescriber’s name and address.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.
People who are taking certain dosages of triamcinolone may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines or may need to have changes in their vaccination schedules to ensure adequate protection from certain diseases. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking triamcinolone before receiving any vaccine.
If you need surgery, or have any kind of accident or stress, tell the prescriber or health care professional that you are using triamcinolone.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep away from heat or open flame. Do not puncture container. Never throw into fire or incinerator. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
[ Last Revised: 8/25/2005 10:44:00 AM ]
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
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