People's Pharmacy

Azmacort

Generic Name:triamcinolone

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Overview

Corticosteroids (cortisone-like drugs such as prednisone) are very effective at easing irritation and inflammation in the upper respiratory tract (nose and lungs).

The problem with oral steroids, however, is that they come with a long list of side effects if they are used on a regular basis (cataracts, glaucoma, fluid retention, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, weakened bones, peptic ulcer, mood swings, etc.)

Inhaled corticosteroids are not supposed to be absorbed into the body as readily and cause such serious adverse reactions.

For this reason, preparations such as Azmacort, AeroBid, Beclovent, Vanceril, and Flovent have become very popular as a first-line treatment for asthma. By calming the irritation and inflammation that is thought to precipitate asthma, physicians hope to prevent attacks or lessen their severity.

Azmacort is prescribed for patients with bronchial asthma who require regular treatment with a corticosteroid.

It is inappropriate for people who only require occasional corticosteroid therapy or who can control their asthma symptoms without steroid-type medications such as bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol -- Ventolin, Proventil, etc.).