Ciclesonide

The Basics

What is Ciclesonide?

Used to help prevent asthma symptoms. When used daily, inhaled ciclesonide decreases the number and severity of asthma attacks.

Brand names for Ciclesonide

Zetonna

How Ciclesonide is classified

Corticosteroids – Inhaled, Glucocorticoids, Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Ciclesonide During Pregnancy

Ciclesonide pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Ciclesonide while pregnant

There are no adequate and well-controlled trials in pregnant women. ZETONNA should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Experience with oral corticosteroids since their introduction in pharmacologic, as opposed to physiologic, doses suggests that rodents are more prone to teratogenic effects from corticosteroids than humans. Oral administration of ciclesonide in rats at approximately 120 times the maximum recommended human daily intranasal dose (MRHDID) in adults (on a mcg/m² basis at a maternal dose of 900 mcg/kg/day) produced no teratogenicity or other fetal effects. However, subcutaneous administration of ciclesonide in rabbits at similar to MRHDID (on a mcg/m² basis at a maternal dose of 5 mcg/kg/day) produced fetal toxicity. This included fetal loss, reduced fetal weight, cleft palate, skeletal abnormalities including incomplete ossifications, and skin effects. No toxicity was observed at ¼ of the MRHDID in adults (on a mcg/m² basis at a maternal dose of 1 mcg/kg/day). Nonteratogenic Effects Hypoadrenalism may occur in infants born of mothers receiving corticosteroids during pregnancy. Such infants should be carefully monitored.

Taking Ciclesonide While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Ciclesonide?

Although not measured, the amounts of inhaled corticosteroids absorbed into the maternal bloodstream and excreted into breastmilk are probably too small to affect a breastfed infant. Reviewers and an expert panel consider inhaled corticosteroids acceptable to use during breastfeeding.[1][2][3]

Maternal / infant drug levels

Although not measured, the amounts of inhaled corticosteroids absorbed into the maternal bloodstream and excreted into breastmilk are probably too small to affect a breastfed infant. Reviewers and an expert panel consider inhaled corticosteroids acceptable to use during breastfeeding.[1][2][3]

Possible effects of Ciclesonide on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Ciclesonide

(Inhalation) Beclomethasone, Budesonide.