Beclomethasone

Brand Name: Apo-Beclomethasone Gen-Beclo AQ Nu-Beclomethasone Propaderm Qvar ratio-Beclomethasone AQ Rivanase AQ

Prescription Needed: Yes

What is this drug used for?

Beclomethasone belongs to a class of drugs called "corticosteroids" and is used most commonly for medical conditions that involve inflammation of the nose lungs and skin.

This medication is available in many different forms.

  • When used inside of an inhaler beclomethasone is used to prevent wheezing and breathing difficulties caused by asthma and other lung diseases.
  • As a nasal spray it is used to prevent and reduce irritation and swelling in the nose caused by allergic rhinitis.
  • As a cream or ointment it is used to help relieve itching and other discomfort that comes with eczema and other skin problems.

Is there any reason not to take this drug?

You should not take this drug if you are allergic to beclomethasone or if you have a fungal bacteria or virus infection in some place other than on your skin especially your lungs. Before taking this medication tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

  • tuberculosis
  • previous nasal surgery
  • nosebleeds
  • sinus or any other infection
  • glaucoma or cataracts
  • herpes eye infection or shingles (herpes zoster infection)
  • recent use of prednisone dexamethasone or other similar drugs
  • side effects to other corticosteroid medications
  • dry skin due to poor circulation of the legs

What about possible side effects?

The side effects to this type of corticosteroid is usually limited to the site where the medication is being applied (e.g. nose mouth skin). However with high doses and long-term use other side effects are possible.

Nasal spray:

  • feeling of burning or dryness in the nose
  • headache

Oral inhalation:

  • headache
  • dry mouth hoarseness
  • white patches in the throat mouth or nose
  • sore throat
  • stuffy or runny nose
  • coughing

Ointment:

  • changes in the skin (easy bruising skin thinning increased hair growth over body presence of small blood vessels)

Of note with high doses and long-term use other side effects typically seen with oral medications are possible. These include osteoporosis a decrease in your body's ability to produce its own cortisone hormone vision problems such as glaucoma or cataracts and decreased growth rates in children.

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you are concerned about these or other unusual symptoms while taking this medication ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for more information and advice.

What if I am taking other drugs?

The possibility of drug interactions with this medication is lower since it is being applied directly to the nose or lungs. However it is still possible for some of the medication to get inside the rest of the body. It is always a good idea to let your doctor or pharmacist know about all the medications that you are taking so that he/she can check for possible interactions.

Other information:

Special Instructions:

  • You need to be careful when switching from an oral corticosteroid (e.g. prednisone) to one that is inhaled. Depending how much and how long you have been taking the oral medication it may need to be decreased slowly over time to prevent you from having any side effects of withdrawal. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience confusion dizziness nausea tiredness vomiting or weakness. Extra doses of oral steroids may be required if you have an infection or undergo surgery.
  • If you need to take this medication for a long period of time you may be at risk for osteoporosis. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about taking calcium (1000mg-1500mg/day) and vitamin D (400-800 IU/day). As well your doctor may prescribe a different medication to prevent this side effect from happening.
  • This medication does not work immediately to stop an asthma attack or symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It must be taken on a daily basis to decrease or prevent the symptoms from occurring.

Lab and Other Tests: Your doctor may send you for periodic bone mineral density scans to check your bones while taking this medication.

Children: Lower doses are necessary. Ointment/creams should not be used long-term.

Seniors: May take this drug as prescribed.

Pregnant women: No known problems.

Women who are nursing: No known problems.

People who drive or operate machinery: No known problems.

Alcohol: No known problems. If you drink always drink in moderation.

Overdose: You may experience adverse effects if you seriously exceed the recommended dosage over a prolonged period of time. Call your doctor or 911.

Stopping the drug: If you stop taking this drug underlying symptoms may recur. This could be serious if you are taking this medication for asthma since an asthma attack can be life threatening. In some cases your doctor may want to wean you off the drug gradually.

If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it unless you are scheduled to take a dose within the next 2 hours in which case take the missed dose immediately and skip the next scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Storage conditions: Closed container; cool dry location away from excess moisture (not in the bathroom) and direct light; always out of reach of children.

Dietary precautions: None.

Keywords: beclomethasone Apo-Beclomethasone Gen-Beclo AQ Nu-Beclomethasone Propaderm Qvar ratio-Beclomethasone AQ Rivanase AQ corticosteroid inflammation nose skin lungs wheezing asthma allergic rhinitis itching eczema skin problem