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Your Guide to the

Azmacort®
(triamcinolone acetonide) Inhalation Aerosol

Special Delivery System

Your doctor has prescribed Azmacort ® (triamcinolone acetonide) Inhalation Aerosol to help control your asthma. Your Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol is one of the most efficient and easy-to-use devices available to help you take your prescribed medication. Used properly, it will effectively and reliably relieve your asthma symptoms.

To receive the maximum benefit, it is very important that you carefully read and follow all the instructions contained in this booklet for the daily use and care of your Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you've used other metered-dose inhalers before, you may expect the Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol to deliver a noticeable "blast" of medication into your mouth.

Your AZMACORT (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol, however, is designed to provide a gentle mist, not a "blast," when used.

This gentle action makes it possible for your medication to be more effectively delivered into the passageways to your lungs, with very little left to linger in your mouth. In fact, you may not even feel the medication entering your mouth, but rest assured, that is how the Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol works.

IMPORTANT: Please read all instructions in this guide carefully before using your Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol.

BEFORE STARTING TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE, TELL YOUR DOCTOR:

• If you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding a baby.
• If you are allergic to Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol or any other orally inhaled glucocorticoid.
• If you are taking other medications. In some circumstances, this medication may not be suitable and your doctor may wish to give you a different medicine.

PREPARE YOUR AZMACORT (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) INHALATION AEROSOL INHALER FOR USE

1. Line up the arrows on the inhaler.

2. Gently pull the inhaler to its fully extended position. You will see the valve (small hole) where the medication will come out.

3. Adjust the inhaler into an "L" shape. It is hinged to swing in one direction only.

4. The ridge on the top part of the inhaler should fit into the notch on the bottom part.

5. Remove the mouthpiece cap. To prepare your Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol for use, the inhaler must be primed prior to the first use. To prime, hold the inhaler upright, with the mouthpiece facing away from you. Shake the inhaler gently, then press the canister firmly and quickly. Repeat this procedure again so a total of 2 puffs are released. Your Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol is now ready for use.

Repriming is only necessary when your inhaler has not been used for more than 3 days. To reprime, shake the inhaler and release one puff. Repeat this procedure again so a total of two puffs are released.

USING YOUR AZMACORT (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) INHALATION AEROSOL INHALER

6. The metal Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) canister has already been inserted into the inhaler. Once you have opened the inhaler, shake it well before each use. IMPORTANT: You must shake the inhaler each and every time before inhaling the medication. If your doctor has instructed you to take more than one breath of medication at a time, you must shake the inhaler EACH TIME before each inhalation of medication, NOT JUST ONCE.

7. Breathe out to empty your lungs completely before using the inhaler! This is important to make sure that you can breathe the medication deeply into your lungs.

8. Place mouthpiece into your mouth, and close your lips tightly around it. Press down firmly and steadily on the metal canister while breathing in slowly and deeply THROUGH

YOUR MOUTH ONLY. (If necessary, pinch your nose closed.) Be sure to release your finger pressure from the top of the canister after the medication is released.

Remember, the Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol delivers a gentle mist of medication, so don't be surprised if you hardly feel it.

Do not remove the inhaler from your mouth after breathing in the medication. Hold your breath for 10 seconds with the inhaler STILL in your mouth, THEN remove the inhaler and breathe out very slowly.

Unlike the other inhalers you may have used, you will not feel the medication impact the back of your mouth. This is because of the unique design of the Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol delivery system.

9. If your doctor has told you to take more than one breath of medication at a time: WAIT AT LEAST 60 SECONDS between each one, then start again at Step 6.

10. After the prescribed number of inhalations, thoroughly rinse out your mouth with water.

NOTE: If your mouth becomes sore or develops a rash, be sure to mention this to your physician, but do not stop using your inhaler unless instructed to do so.

DOSAGE: USE ONLY AS DIRECTED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN

WARNING: Azmacort® (triamcinolone acetonide) Inhalation Aerosol contains medication that is intended for treatment of your asthma. It does not contain medication intended to provide rapid relief of your breathing difficulties during an asthma attack.

It is very important that you use Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol regularly at the intervals recommended by your doctor, and not as an emergency measure. Your physician will decide whether other medication is needed, should you require immediate relief.

CAUTION: CONTENTS OF CANISTER UNDER PRESSURE.

Do not puncture. Do not store near heat or open flame. Exposure to temperatures above 120°F may cause bursting. Never throw canisters into a fire or incinerator. Please keep out of the reach of children.

Note: The indented statement below is required by the Federal government's Clean Air Act for all products containing or manufactured with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs):

This product contains CFC-12, a substance which harms the environment by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphere.

Your physician has determined that this product is likely to help your personal health. USE THIS PRODUCT AS DIRECTED, UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO OTHERWISE BY YOUR PHYSICIAN. If you have any questions about alternatives, consult with your physician.

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR USING YOUR AZMACORT (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) INHALATION AEROSOL INHALER

• Always use only as directed by your physician. Do not use it more often than instructed; do not skip doses.
• Follow all instructions in this booklet very closely and carefully for best results, especially those for use and cleaning.
• Remember, repriming is only necessary when the inhaler has not been used for more than 3 days. To reprime, shake the inhaler gently and release one puff. Repeat this procedure again so that a total of two puffs have been released. Do not reprime between more frequent usage.
• Please Note:

You will receive a new Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol unit each time you refill your prescription. This is done to assure optimal working order of the unique Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol spacer device/delivery system. In addition, a new Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol will guard against a build-up of the drug on the barrel portion of the device, maximizing the cleanliness of your unit. The cost of Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol is MINIMALLY affected by including a new inhaler with each prescription.

STORING YOUR AZMACORT (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) INHALATION AEROSOL INHALER

• Keep your inhaler out of the reach of children, unless otherwise prescribed.
• Store your Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol, including the metal canister, at room temperature.
• Protect from freezing temperatures and direct sunlight.
• For best results, the canister should be at room temperature before use.
• DO NOT use after the date shown as "EXP" on the label or box.
• Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol canisters are for use with Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol actuators and spacer-mouthpieces only. The actuator and spacer-mouthpiece should not be used with other aerosol medications.
• REMEMBER: This medicine has been prescribed for you by your doctor. DO NOT give this medicine to anyone else.

DAILY CARE OF YOUR AZMACORT (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) INHALATION AEROSOL INHALER

Your Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide (inhalation aerosol)) Inhalation Aerosol MUST be cleaned in lukewarm water only once each day to avoid build-up of medication particles in the inhaler that can block the puff of medication and interfere with proper operation. The use of soap, detergents, or disinfectants is unnecessary.

1. IMPORTANT: Remove metal canister from inhaler. Pull canister straight out from inhaler and place aside. Canister must be removed for proper cleaning of inhaler.
2. Pull apart remaining two plastic parts of inhaler, remove mouthpiece cap, and gently wash in lukewarm water.
   Dry thoroughly.
3. Snap the two plastic parts of the inhaler back together; push closed. Replace mouthpiece cap. Reinsert metal canister by gently turning while inserting. The canister should fit snugly without falling out.

HOW TO CHECK CONTENTS OF YOUR CANISTER

Shaking the canister will NOT give you a good estimate of how much Azmacort® (triamcinolone acetonide) Inhalation Aerosol is left.

We have included a convenient check-off chart to assist you in keeping track of medication puffs used. This will help assure that you receive the 240 "Full Puffs" of medication present.

FURTHER INFORMATION

• This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your medication.
• If you have any further questions, or are not sure about something, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• You may want to read this leaflet again. Please DO NOT THROW IT AWAY until you have finished this canister

Last reviewed on RxList: 3/25/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.