Beclomethasone: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, Interactions and Presentations

It is a synthetic steroid drug of the glucocorticoid family. The natural 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 to the lungs, and very little makes its way into the rest of the body. Therefore, compared to glucocorticoids taken orally, beclomethasone has fewer side effects.

What are the uses of beclomethasone dipropionate?

Beclomethasone is used to control bronchial asthma in patients who require ongoing treatment for asthma. Such patients may include those with frequent episodes of asthma that require medications to dilate the lung’s airways or those with asthma attacks at night.

Beclomethasone is also used to treat asthma in patients who require oral steroid therapy and can reduce or eliminate the need for oral steroid treatment.

Side effects

Common side effects include:

  • Mild cough
  • Wheezing due to chemical irritation.

Other side effects include:

 

  • Candidiasis oral o muguet.
  • Hoarseness

Other less common side effects include:

  • Bruises easily.
  • Back pain.

Using an inhaled bronchodilator (e.g., albuterol or Ventolin) before beclomethasone can minimize the side effects of mild coughing or wheezing caused by the medication.

A spacer device that can be connected to the inhaler and wash your mouth with water after each use of Qvar reduces the amount of Qvar in the mouth and throat and reduces the risk of canker sores and hoarseness.

Higher doses of inhaled beclomethasone (more than 1000 mcg/day) may increase absorption in the body. This can decrease bone formation and increase bone degradation (resorption), which results in weak bones and fracture risk.

Even higher doses (more than 1500 mcg/day in adults and 400 mcg/day in children) can suppress the adrenal glands and affect their ability to produce natural glucocorticoids.

Patients with such suppression (which can be identified by testing) need higher amounts of glucocorticoids orally or intravenously during periods of increased physical stress. The body requires more elevated doses of glucocorticoids to combat physical stress.

Patients who receive beclomethasone can quickly develop bruises if enough beclomethasone is absorbed into the body from the lungs.

What is the dose of beclomethasone?

It is used to prevent asthma attacks and not for the treatment of active asthma attacks.

The recommended dose is 40 to 160 mcg twice a day, depending on age and previous treatment for asthma.

The maximum dose of this medication is 320 mg per day.

The medication requires continuous use to be effective.

You may notice some benefits as early as three days after starting treatment, but optimal use is usually not seen until two or three weeks.

Interactions

No drug interactions have been described with beclomethasone.

Pregnancy and lactation

There is no increased risk of malformation in a child born to a patient exposed to beclomethasone during pregnancy. In addition, there is no dependence or withdrawal of medication.

It is not known if beclomethasone is secreted in breast milk. Other drugs in this class are secreted into breast milk, but it is unknown if the small amounts in milk affect the baby.

Presentations

  • Inhalador 40 mcg; 804 mcg.

How should I keep Qvar stored?

  • The Beclomethasone inhaler should be kept at room temperature, 15 C – 30 C (59 F – 86 F).

Summary

  • It is a prescription medication used to control bronchial asthma in patients who require ongoing treatment for asthma. Side effects of this medication include:
  • Throat hoarseness (oral candidiasis), easy bruising, wheezing and mild cough.
  • Drug interactions, dosing, storage, pregnancy, and safety information on breastfeeding should be reviewed before using this medication.
  • Vanceril and Beclovent are discontinuous brands for beclomethasone dipropionate inhalers in the USA. UU