Alvesco (ciclesonide) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for asthma in adults and some children. Alvesco comes as an aerosol inhaler that’s typically used twice per day. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used to help treat.

Alvesco belongs to a drug class called corticosteroids. Alvesco is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Alvesco, including its strengths and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Alvesco, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Alvesco provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Alvesco, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Read below for details about Alvesco’s dosages for its approved uses.

Alvesco form

Alvesco comes as an aerosol inhaler.

Alvesco strengths

Alvesco comes in two strengths: 80 micrograms (mcg) and 160 mcg.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for asthma if you’ve used bronchodilators

Doctors may prescribe Alvesco if you’ve used only bronchodilators for your asthma.

If your doctor prescribes Alvesco for you, your starting dose will likely be 80 mcg. Typically, you’ll use this dose twice daily. If your asthma is not well-managed with this dose, your doctor may increase your dose to 160 mcg twice daily. This is the maximum dose of Alvesco that’s recommended.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for asthma if you’ve used inhaled corticosteroids

Doctors may prescribe Alvesco if you’ve used other inhaled corticosteroids for your asthma.

If your doctor prescribes Alvesco for you, your starting dose will likely be 80 mcg. Typically, you’ll use this dose twice per day. If your asthma is not well-managed with this dose, your doctor may increase your dose to 320 mcg twice per day. This is the maximum dose of Alvesco that’s recommended.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for asthma if you’ve taken oral steroids

Doctors may prescribe Alvesco if you’ve taken oral steroids for your asthma.

If your doctor prescribes Alvesco for you, your dose will likely be 320 mcg. Typically, you’ll use this dose twice daily. This is the maximum dose of Alvesco that’s recommended.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Alvesco is approved for maintenance treatment of asthma in children ages 12 years and older.

The dosages for children are the same as the adult dosages. See “Typical dosages” above for details.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Alvesco is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Alvesco is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Before you start using Alvesco, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Alvesco dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your age
  • how your body responds to Alvesco
  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Alvesco to treat
  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Alvesco

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Alvesco dosage.

Alvesco comes as an aerosol inhaler. You’ll inhale the medication into your lungs when you use it. Before using your inhaler for the first time, you must prime it. You’ll also need to prime the inhaler if you haven’t used it for 10 days or more.

When you’re finished using a dose of Alvesco, gargle with water, rinse your mouth, and spit. This helps prevent a fungal infection known as thrush.

To learn about how to use your inhaler, see these instructions on the manufacturer’s website. There’s also a helpful video explaining how to use your inhaler.

If you have more questions about how to use Alvesco, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you miss a dose of Alvesco and you’re not sure what to do, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll let you know if you should take or skip the missed dose.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t use more Alvesco than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you use more than the recommended amount of Alvesco

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Alvesco. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Alvesco.

How many puffs are in an Alvesco aerosol inhaler?

Each Alvesco aerosol inhaler contains enough medication to spray 60 puffs. This does not include the amount needed to prime the inhaler.

The inhaler has a dose indicator to let you know how many puffs are left in the canister. It counts down by 10s, and the display window turns red when there are 20 puffs left in the inhaler. When the display window shows the number 0, it’s time to throw away the inhaler and get a new one.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the number of puffs in your Alvesco aerosol inhaler.

How long does it take for Alvesco to start working?

Alvesco starts to work after your first dose. However, it may take several weeks to feel the full effects of the drug. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition. You may also want to keep track of your symptoms to see if Alvesco is working for you.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Alvesco treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Alvesco for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Alvesco without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Alvesco that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Alvesco. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.