Mometasone (By breathing)

Introduction:

Mometasone (moe-MET-a-sone)

Prevents asthma symptoms. This medicine is a corticosteroid.

Brand Name(s):

Asmanex Twisthaler, Asmanex Twist

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Powder

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• You will use this medicine with a device called an inhaler. The inhaler holds the powdered medicine and measures out each dose for you. Your caregiver will show you how to use your inhaler.
• Write down the date when you first open the foil package. The medicine is good for only 45 days once the package is opened.
• The inhaler has a small window on the side with numbers showing. This is the dose counter. It keeps track of how many more times you can use the inhaler before you need to open a new one. When the dose counter reaches "00," the inhaler will lock itself. If the dose counter is not working correctly, do not use the inhaler and return it to your pharmacy or doctor.
• Hold the inhaler upright and twist the cap to the left to open it. The dose counter should change to a lower number when you take off the cap. The arrow on the inhaler should be pointing to the dose counter.
• To inhale this medicine:
  • Breathe out fully, trying to get as much air out of your lungs as possible.
  • Put the mouthpiece in your mouth and close your lips around it. The inhaler will be sideways.
  • Take a fast, deep breath.
  • Take the inhaler out of your mouth. Hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out slowly. Do not breathe out into the inhaler.
• Wipe the mouthpiece dry with a cloth or tissue. Do not wash it with water. Put the cap back on right away and twist it to the right. You should hear a "click" when the cap is fully closed.
• Rinse your mouth out with water.
• You might need to use this medicine for 1 to 2 weeks before your asthma starts to improve.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Keep the inhaler in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it the first time. Store the inhaler at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Throw away the inhaler when the dose counter is at "00" or 45 days after you opened the package. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used inhaler and any leftover medicine.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using ketoconazole (Nizoral®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have tuberculosis (TB).
• If your treatment is being changed from oral medicine to this inhaled medicine:
  • Follow your doctor's directions very carefully. It might take some time for your body to adjust to the change. This medicine may not affect your whole body the way that oral steroid medicines do.
  • Make sure you know what to do if you have a severe asthma attack.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you have nausea or vomiting, your joints hurt, or you feel unusually tired, weak, dizzy, lightheaded, or sad. Also tell your doctor if you start to have a runny or stuffy nose, a skin rash, or itchy or watery eyes.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you get sick, have a serious injury, or have unusual stress in your life.
  • Carry a medical identification card that lists your medicines. The card should also say that you might need extra medicine because of stress or a severe asthma attack.
• This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute asthma attack.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. If you get sick, have a serious injury, or need to have surgery, make sure all of your caregivers know about all steroid medicines you have been using.
• If any of your asthma medicines do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.
• Call your doctor if you are exposed to measles or chickenpox.
• Some people have asthma problems right after inhaling this medicine. Tell your doctor if this happens. Use your fast-acting inhaler if needed.
• Tell your doctor if you get any kind of infection. This includes bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite infections, and herpes infection in your eye.
• This medicine could make your bones a little weaker. This is only a concern if you have other risk factors for bone weakness, such as being confined to bed or having a family history of osteoporosis.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine may slow down a child's growth. If you think your child is not growing properly while using this medicine, talk with your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Changes in skin color, dark freckles.
• Cold feeling, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss.
• Creamy white patches in your mouth or throat.
• Eye pain or trouble seeing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Change in menstrual periods.
• Sore throat.
• Stuffy head, runny nose, sneezing.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: