Asmanex (Mometasone) for COPD

Overview
Asmanex is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005 for maintenance treatment of asthma. Asmanex is indicated for use in people four years of age and older. Asmanex is used to help prevent bronchospasm in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asmanex is not indicated for rescue usage during acute bronchospasms. Asmanex is also known by its drug name, Mometasone.

Asmanex is a glucocorticoid steroid, a drug that suppresses the immune system. Asmanex is believed to work by reducing inflammation in the lungs, decreasing the risk for bronchospasm.

How do I take it?
Asmanex is inhaled orally once or twice a day using the Twisthaler inhaler. Asmanex should be taken at the same time or times each day.

Discard the Asmanex Twisthaler when the dose counter reaches zero, or when the foil packet has been open for 45 days.

Always rinse your mouth and gargle with water after taking a dose of Asmanex. This measure helps prevent infections.

Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly when taking Asmanex.

Results
Mometasone (Asmanex) was approved on the basis of three 12-week trials involving a total of 737 people with asthma. At the end of studies, researchers concluded that those who took Mometasone had improved lung function, used rescue medication less frequently, and had fewer episodes of worsening asthma than those who took the placebo.

Side effects
Common side effects of Asmanex include cough, headache, pain in the sinuses or throat, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, changes in menstrual cycle, and cold symptoms. Asmanex may suppress the immune system, raising the risk for infection.

Inform your doctor if you experience chest tightness or pain, vision changes, skin rash, changes in the location or shape of body fat, or worsening COPD symptoms while taking Asmanex.

Many drugs can cause allergic reactions which, in the most serious cases, can result in death. Seek immediate medical help if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing or swelling in the face, throat, eyes, lips or tongue.