What is beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler, and how does it work?
- Beclomethasone is a synthetic
steroid
drug of the
glucocorticoid family. The naturally-occurring
glucocorticoid
(cortisol or hydrocortisone) is produced in the adrenal glands.
Glucocorticoid steroids have potent anti-inflammatory actions.
When used
as an inhaler, the medication goes directly into the
lungs, and
very
little finds its way into the rest of the body. Therefore, in
comparison
with glucocorticoids that are taken orally, beclomethasone has
fewer side
effects.
What brand names are available for
beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler?
- Qvar is the brand name available for beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler in the US.
- Vanceril and Beclovent are discontinued brand names for beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler in the US.
Is beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler available as a generic drug?
- No
Do I need a prescription for
beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler?
- Yes
What are the uses for beclomethasone
dipropionate inhaler?
- Beclomethasone is used for the control
of
bronchial asthma in
patients
who require continuous treatment for asthma.
Such patients
may include those with frequent
asthma
episodes that require medications to dilate the airways in the lung or those
with asthma
episodes at night. - Beclomethasone is also used for the treatment of
asthma
in patients who require oral steroid therapy and it may reduce or eliminate the need for oral steroid treatment.
What are the side effects of
beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler treatment?
Common side effects of include:
Other side effects include:
Other less common side effects included:
Using an inhaled
bronchodilator (for example, albuterol or Ventolin) prior to the
beclomethasone may minimize the side effects of mild cough or wheezing caused by
the drug.
A
spacer device
that can be attached to the inhaler and washing out the mouth
with water
following each use of Qvar reduces the amount of
Qvar
in the mouth and throat and reduces the risk of thrush and
hoarseness.
Higher doses of inhaled beclomethasone (more than 1000
mcg/day) may
result in more absorption into the body. This may decrease bone
formation
and increase bone breakdown (resorption), resulting in weak
bones and a
risk of fractures. Even higher doses (more than 1500 mcg/day in
adults and
400 mcg/day in children) may suppress the adrenal glands and
impair their
ability to make natural glucocorticoid. Patients with such
suppression
(which can be identified by testing) need increased amounts of
glucocorticoid orally or by the intravenous route during
periods of high
physical stress since higher amounts of glucocorticoids are
needed by the
body to fight physical stress.
Patients receiving
beclomethasone may
develop easy bruising if enough beclomethasone is absorbed into
the body
from the lungs.
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What is the dose for beclomethasone
dipropionate inhaler?
- Qvar is used to prevent attacks of asthma
and not for the treatment of active attacks of
asthma. - The recommended dose is 40 to 160 mcg twice daily depending on age and previous
asthma treatment. - The maximum dose of this drug is 320 mg daily.
- The
drug
requires continuous use to be effective. - Some benefit may be
noted as soon
as three days after starting treatment, but optimal benefit
usually is not
seen until after two to three weeks.
Which drugs or supplements interact with
beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler?
- No
drug interactions have been
described
with Qvar treatment.
QUESTION
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease.
See Answer
Is beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
- There does not appear to be an increased
risk of
malformation in a child born to a patient exposed to Qvar during
pregnancy. Additionally, there is no dependency on or
withdrawal from the
drug. - It is not known if Qvar is
secreted in breast milk. Other
drugs in this class of medications
are
secreted into breast milk, but is not known whether the small
amounts that
appear in milk have any effect on the infant.
What else should I know about
beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler?
What preparations of beclomethasone Qvar are available?
- Inhaler 40 mcg; 804
mcg
How should I keep Qvar stored?
- Beclomethasone inhaler should be kept at room temperature, 15 C – 30 C (59 F – 86 F).