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What is the most important information I should know about
triamcinolone inhalation?
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Triamcinolone inhalation will not stop an asthma attack that has
already started. It is used to prevent attacks. |
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Do not use more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too
much may cause serious side effects. |
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Use triamcinolone inhalation on a regular basis for best results. It
may take several weeks to get the maximum effect of this medication. |
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It is very important that you use the triamcinolone inhaler properly,
so that the medicine gets into your lungs. You doctor may want you to
use a spacer with the inhaler. Talk to your doctor about proper inhaler
use. |
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Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your
usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a
24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign
of a serious asthma attack. |
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What is triamcinolone inhalation?
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Triamcinolone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in
the body that cause inflammation. |
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Triamcinolone inhalation is used to prevent asthma attacks and other
conditions involving inflammation of the lung tissues. |
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Triamcinolone inhalation may also be used for purposes other than
those listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
triamcinolone inhalation?
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Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have a viral,
bacterial, or fungal infection of any kind. The absorption of this drug
into your system can inhibit the body's ability to fight off infections.
You may not be able to use triamcinolone inhalation if you have an
infection. |
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Triamcinolone inhalation will not stop an asthma attack that has
already started. It is used to prevent attacks. Do not use triamcinolone
inhalation to treat an asthma attack. If you are having an asthma attack
that is not responding to any treatment, seek emergency medical
attention. |
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Triamcinolone inhalation is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This
means that it is not known whether triamcinolone inhalation will be
harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first
talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant
during treatment. |
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It is not known whether triamcinolone passes into breast milk. Do
not use triamcinolone inhalation without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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Triamcinolone inhalation is not approved for use by children younger
than 6 years of age. |
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How should I use triamcinolone inhalation?
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Use triamcinolone inhalation exactly as directed by your doctor.
Read the information insert included with the inhaler. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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If you are also using a bronchodilator such as albuterol (Proventil,
Ventolin), pirbuterol (Maxair), or bitolterol (Tornalate), use the
bronchodilator first, then use the triamcinolone inhalation. Using the
medications in this order will allow more triamcinolone to reach the
lungs. |
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Shake the inhaler several times and uncap the mouthpiece. Breathe
out fully. For best results, hold the inhaler 1 to 2 inches in front of
your open mouth or attach a spacer to the inhaler and place the spacer
in your mouth, above your tongue and past your teeth. Take a deep, slow
breath as you push down on the canister. Hold your breath for 10 seconds,
then exhale slowly. If you place the inhaler directly into your mouth,
you may not receive the correct amount of medicine because it will be
propelled onto the back of your tongue and/ or throat. If you do use the
inhaler directly in your mouth, be sure that it is above your tongue and
past your teeth. |
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To reduce the chance of a yeast infection in your mouth, rinse your
mouth after using triamcinolone inhalation. |
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It is very important that you use the triamcinolone inhaler properly,
so that the medicine gets into your lungs. Your doctor may want you to
use a spacer with the inhaler. Talk to your doctor about proper inhaler
use. |
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Do not use more of this medication than is prescribed for you, but
use it consistently, as directed, even when you are feeling better. It
may be several weeks before you see the effects of triamcinolone. Talk
to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. |
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Triamcinolone inhalation will not stop an attack after it has
started. It is used to prevent attacks from occurring. Keep another
medicine on hand to treat attacks. |
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Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your
usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a
24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign
of a serious asthma attack. |
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Continue to take any oral steroid (pills or liquid) that your doctor
has prescribed. Triamcinolone inhalation is not a substitute for an oral
steroid. |
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If you are switching from an oral steroid (pills or liquid) to
triamcinolone inhalation, carry or wear identification that will let
others know that you may require a systemic steroid during a severe
asthma attack or during another traumatic situation. Discuss with your
doctor the precautions necessary when discontinuing an oral steroid. |
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Rinse the inhaler in warm water as often as once a day to keep it
clean and unclogged. |
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Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose
and use the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of
this medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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An overdose of this medication is not likely to occur. If you do
think an overdose has occurred, call an emergency room or poison control
left. |
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What should I avoid while using triamcinolone inhalation?
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Avoid items or activities that you know are known allergens. Clean
areas where dust or pet fur may aggravate your condition. |
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Avoid exposing yourself to known sources of infection. Stay away
from people with chicken pox, measles, or any other type of infection.
Your immune system may not be strong enough to fight off an infection
while using triamcinolone inhalation. |
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What are the possible side effects of triamcinolone inhalation?
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Serious side effects from triamcinolone inhalation are not likely to
occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
using triamcinolone inhalation and seek emergency medical attention or
notify your doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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numbness, tingling, or pain; |
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a rash or unexplained open sores or bruising; or |
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worsening respiratory symptoms. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to use triamcinolone inhalation and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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dryness of the mouth, nose, or throat after use; |
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yeast (or another) infection in the mouth or throat (white patches); |
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hoarseness or deepening of the voice, cough, or sore throat; |
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increased pressure in the eyes, glaucoma, or tearing of the eyes; |
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headache or lightheadedness; |
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unpleasant (or loss of taste) or smell; |
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decreased growth in children taking large doses; or |
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cataracts, which may develop after long-term use. |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect triamcinolone inhalation?
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Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other drugs you are taking.
The use of other oral, nasal, or inhaled steroids may increase the
chance of side effects or overdose. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
triamcinolone inhalation or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor
and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including herbal products. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about triamcinolone
inhalation written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.03. Revision Date: 1/
23/ 04. |
