Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Alvesco (ciclesonide)
Flovent (fluticasone)
Alvesco (ciclesonide)
Flovent (fluticasone)
Summary of Alvesco vs. Flovent
Summary for ICS
Prescription only
Alvesco (ciclesonide) is a steroid inhaler used for the maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and children age 12 years and older. It's inhaled by mouth twice daily. When used regularly, Alvesco (ciclesonide) can lower the number and severity of asthma attacks. But it's not a rescue inhaler, so it won't help an asthma attack that has already started. Some common side effects this medication can cause include stuffy nose, sore throat, and headaches.
Summary for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
Prescription only
Flovent (fluticasone) is an inhaled corticosteroid medication used in people 4 years and older with asthma. It helps keep lung inflammation low and the airways open. This inhaler is used twice per day. When used every day, Flovent (fluticasone) can lower the number and severity of asthma attacks. It's not a rescue inhaler, so it won't help an asthma attack that has already started.
Indications of Alvesco vs. Flovent
Indications for
•Maintenance treatment of asthma in people age 12 years and older
Indications for
•Maintenance treatment of asthma
Pros and Cons of Alvesco vs. Flovent
Pros and Const for ICS
Pros
•Works well to prevent and lower asthma symptoms
•Can be used with a spacer if you have trouble getting the full dose with the inhaler
•Few known interactions with other medications
Cons
•Doesn't replace your rescue inhaler and will not help your symptoms during an asthma attack
•It can take up to a month or longer before you see symptoms improve
•Can't be used in children under 12 years old
•Might raise your risk for infections
Pros and Const for Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
Pros
•Works well to prevent and lower asthma symptoms
•Has few side effects since the medication is directly inhaled into the lungs
•Available as two different types of inhalers (HFA inhaler and Diskus inhaler)
•Lower-cost generic available for Flovent HFA
Cons
•Need to use twice per day
•Need to rinse your mouth after each use to prevent fungal infection in the mouth (thrush)
•Can't use to treat active asthma attacks
•Can't use Flovent Diskus if you're allergic to milk proteins since it contains lactose
Common Side Effects of Alvesco vs. Flovent
Common Side Effects for
•Stuffy nose or swelling in the throat (7-11%)
•Headache (5-11%)
•Runny nose, cough, and other symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection (4-9%)
•Sore throat (2-5%)
Common Side Effects for
In general, common side effects for Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus are very similar:
•Throat irritation
•Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., common cold)