Is Asmanex a Good Medicine for Asthma?

Question: Is Asmanex a Good Medicine for Asthma?

Answer: Yes – Asmanex (mometasone) can be an effective inhaled steroid for the long-term control of asthma symptoms. Asmanex treats airway inflammation that exists in most people with asthma, which results in the decrease in asthma symptoms over time. Unlike albuterol inhalers, which are used only as-needed to treat the immediate symptoms of asthma, Asmanex is used everyday to control symptoms of asthma. Asmanex is a dry powder inhaler available in 2 dosages, 110 micrograms per puff for children aged 4 to 11 years of age, and 220 micrograms per puff for adults and children 12 years and older. The recommended dose for children 4 to 11 years of age is one puff every evening, while the dose for adults and children 12 years of age and older ranges from one puff in the evening to 2 puffs twice a day depending on the severity of the person’s asthma.

There are many brands of inhaled steroids available to treat the underlying inflammation of asthma, and these medications all work about the same. Asmanex has the advantage of being the only inhaled steroid with a true indication (approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) of once daily dosing. This may certainly increase the odds of a person being more compliant with taking Asmanex regularly, which may lead to the better control of asthma symptoms. Other inhaled steroids are frequently prescribed as once daily dosing by physicians, but this is not consistent with dosing per the package insert for these medications. The side effects of Asmanex are similar to those of other inhaled steroids.

According to the package insert, Asmanex contains lactose powder "which contains trace amounts of milk proteins" – and therefore should not be used by people with milk allergy. The package insert states that there have been reports of anaphylaxis occurring in people with milk allergy using Asmanex, but I could not find specific information on these cases. While pharmaceutical-grade lactose is derived from milk and typically does not contain milk proteins, there is the possibility that the lactose does contain small amounts of milk protein, and therefore should not be used by people with milk allergy.

Learn how to use an Asmanex inhaler.

_Sources:

_{Asmanex Package Insert. Schering-Plough Corporation. Website accessed March 26, 2011.}

_{Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Accessed Februrary 28, 2011.}

_{Nowak-Wegrzyn A, et al. Contamination of Dry Powder Inhalers for Asthma with Milk Proteins Containing Lactose. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;113:558-60.}

_{DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.}