Create an account to receive alerts on new research

SaveShareAsk AI

Alvesco

Alvesco is a brand name for the medication ciclesonide, which is a corticosteroid used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children over the age of 12. It works by reducing inflammation in the airways to help make breathing easier. Alvesco is typically used as a maintenance treatment for asthma and should not be used to treat sudden asthma attacks.

Depletion Health Impact Side Effects Recommendation

Next Steps

Save this report and share it with your healthcare provider or a family member

Ask our expert AI assistant additional questions related to Alvesco.

On this page

Alvesco

Depletes

Prolonged use of Alvesco can impact 2 essential nutrients.

Calcium

Corticosteroids can lower calcium levels in the body. This is a double threat to bone health because corticosteroids themselves can weaken bones. Calcium is essential for strong bones, and a study showed that supplementing with both calcium and vitamin D3 helped prevent bone loss in people with rheumatoid arthritis taking corticosteroids. Supplementation with calcium should be considered during long term corticosteroid therapy.

Replace with Calcium Citrate (75 mg)

Research: Homik J, Suarez-Almazor ME, Shea B, Cranney A, Wells G, Tugwell P. Calcium and vitamin D for corticosteroid-induced...

Chromium

Research has found that corticosteroids increased chromium excretion in patients after just three days. Chromium is an essential mineral that helps regulate blood sugar levels. This is important because corticosteroids themselves can raise blood sugar, contributing to diabetes. Evidence suggests that chromium supplementation improved fasting blood glucose levels in patients with steroid-induced diabetes.

Replace with Chromium Polynicotinate (200 mcg)

Research: Mohn ES, Kern HJ, Saltzman E, Mitmesser SH, McKay DL. Evidence of Drug-Nutrient Interactions with Chronic Use of Commonly...

Health Impact

Alvesco-induced nutrient depletion can lead to a range of health problems

Reduced Bone Density & Fractures

Systematic reviews indicate that increasing calcium intake yields only modest BMD gains and limited fracture risk reduction by itself, but combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation has shown benefits in specific high-risk groups such as postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Research: Tai V et al. Calcium intake and bone mineral density: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2015;351:h4183.; Liu Y et...

Hypocalcemic Spasms & Tetany

Clinical endocrinology sources describe neuromuscular irritability as a classic manifestation of severe hypocalcemia due to inadequate intake, malabsorption or drug-induced changes in calcium metabolism.

Research: Bilezikian JP. Hypocalcemia. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(10):3827-3839.; Khan AA et al. Diagnosis and management of...

Reduced Insulin Sensitivity

A systematic review and meta-analysis of chromium supplementation in type 2 diabetes suggests small improvements in fasting glucose and HbA1c in some trials, but high-quality randomized studies in prediabetes found no clear benefit, indicating that the clinical impact of chromium depletion remains uncertain.

Research: Asbaghi O et al. Effects of chromium supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic...

Unfavorable Metabolic Profile

Narrative reviews highlight associations between low chromium and metabolic derangements, yet interventional trials show heterogeneous results, suggesting that any effect of depletion is modest and context-dependent.

Research: Anderson RA. Chromium and insulin resistance. Nutr Res Rev. 2000;13(2):267-286.; Asbaghi O et al. Effects of chromium...

Side Effects

Common side effects of Alvesco, some of which may be related to nutrient depletion

Review

Common side effects of Alvesco (ciclesonide) may include:

1. Headache
2. Sore throat
3. Cough
4. Nasal congestion
5. Sinusitis
6. Nausea
7. Back pain
8. Dizziness
9. Upper respiratory tract infection
10. Bronchitis

Less common but more serious side effects may include:

1. Severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
2. Pneumonia
3. Oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush)
4. Adrenal insufficiency
5. Decreased bone density
6. Growth suppression in children

It is important to talk to your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects while taking Alvesco.

Get Support

We've curated a list of vetted, recommended individual nutrient third-party supplements.

Shop Third-Party Supplements

Calcium Citrate

by Solaray

The Calcium supplement by Solaray is designed to support bone health and overall wellness by providing a high-quality, bioavailable form of calcium.

Strength: 200mg

Buy now

Calcium Citrate

Expert Research
Recommended

Chromium Picolinate

by Pure Encapsulations

Pure Encapsulations Chromium supplement is a dietary supplement designed to support healthy glucose metabolism and overall metabolic function, using a highly bioavailable form of chromium.