Beclomethasone inhalation aerosol

What is beclomethasone inhalation aerosol?
BECLOMETHASONE (Beclovent®, QVar®, or Vanceril®) is a corticosteroid for treating respiratory problems. Beclomethasone therapy helps prevent and control asthma and must be used regularly. Do not confuse this medication with other asthma medications. Beclomethasone will not provide quick, immediate relief if you are having an asthma attack. Generic beclomethasone inhalation aerosols are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I use beclomethasone?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• cataracts or glaucoma
• Cushing’s syndrome
• diabetic
• infection, such as herpes, measles, tuberculosis or chickenpox
• recent surgery or trauma
• an unusual or allergic reaction to beclomethasone, other corticosteroids, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?
Beclomethasone is for inhalation through the mouth and into the lungs. Follow the directions on the prescription label. As with all inhalers, you should prime the inhaler prior to the first use and in cases where the inhaler has not been used for more than 7-10 days. Prime by ‘test-spraying’ the inhaler two times into the air, away from the eyes and face.

Be sure to shake the canister well before each use. Breathe out completely. Place the mouthpiece between the open lips, past the teeth. Close lips firmly around the mouthpiece. Press down on the canister one time while breathing in deeply and slowly. When you have finished breathing in, hold your breath for a count of 5 to 10 seconds. Remove the inhaler from your mouth, and then breathe out slowly. If you are using more than one dose, wait a minute between inhalations, shake the inhaler again and repeat the above procedure. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Gargle or rinse your mouth with water after the last dose; do not swallow the water. Do not use more than the recommended dose.

Your pharmacist will give you an information sheet on the use and care of the specific brand (®) of inhaler you are using. Be sure to read this information. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions regarding the use or cleaning of your specific inhaler type.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. Beclomethasone inhalations are usually for children 5-6 years of age and older.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose and continue with your regular schedule, spacing doses evenly. Do not use double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with beclomethasone?
No interactions have been recorded. Do not use other inhalation aerosols at the same time as beclomethasone unless prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from using beclomethasone?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• chest pain or tightness
• fever or chills
• skin rash and itching (hives)
• sore mouth, with cream or white curd-like patches in the mouth or throat
• troubled breathing or wheezing
• unusual swelling

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• coughing, hoarseness
• dry mouth
• loss of taste, or unpleasant taste

What should I watch for while taking beclomethasone?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Carry an identification card with your name, the type and dose of corticosteroid you are taking, and your prescriber’s name and address. It can take up to 4 weeks before you see the full effect of beclomethasone. Beclomethasone is intended for regular use. It will not cure your condition, but can help to reduce asthmatic symptoms. Beclomethasone will not relieve an acute asthma attack. However, if you have an asthma attack go on using beclomethasone at the usual time, but use another medicine to treat the attack. Do not stop using beclomethasone except on your prescriber’s advice.

If you are transferred from steroid tablets taken by mouth to a steroid inhalation like beclomethasone, you may need additional doses of steroid tablets during periods of stress. Always follow your prescriber’s advice.

If you are also using a bronchodilator aerosol (such as albuterol) use that inhaler first. Wait a few minutes before using beclomethasone.

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.

People who are taking certain dosages of beclomethasone may need to avoid immunization with certain vaccines or may need to have changes in their vaccination schedules to ensure adequate protection from certain diseases. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking beclomethasone before receiving any vaccine.

If you need surgery, or have any kind of accident or stress, tell the prescriber or health care professional that you are using beclomethasone.

Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). The effect of aerosol medications is decreased when the canister is cold. Do not use or store near heat or an open flame. The canister may burst if exposed to high heat. Do not puncture the canister or throw it on a fire or incinerator. Throw away after the expiration date.

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.