What Is Ciclesonide Used For? (Cont.)

How Does Ciclesonide Work?

Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance -- one that does not bother most people. This immune system reaction is known as inflammation and involves several different types of cells and chemicals in the body.
 
Ciclesonide is a corticosteroid, or simply "steroid" for short. Steroids can have many different effects in the body, including anti-inflammatory effects. They decrease inflammation by limiting the body's ability to produce an immune system reaction. Steroids can be effective for treating conditions such as allergies. However, long-term use can cause bothersome and sometimes serious side effects, and this limits the usefulness of many steroids. Because ciclesonide is a nasal spray, its effects are generally limited to the nose. This helps prevent many of the long-term side effects of steroids.
 
Although ciclesonide is a steroid, it is not the same type of steroid used to enhance athletic performance or to increase muscle mass. These steroids are completely different from the type used in nasal sprays (such as ciclesonide).
 

Is Ciclesonide Used in Children?

Ciclesonide is approved to treat nasal allergies in children as young as six years old for seasonal allergies and children age 12 and older for year-round allergies. Talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children.
 

Is Ciclesonide Used for Off-Label Reasons?

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend ciclesonide for something other than nasal allergies. Currently, off-label uses of ciclesonide include treatment of the following conditions:
 
  • Nasal polyps
  • Nasal symptoms not caused by allergies (known as non-allergic rhinitis).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;