Beclomethasone - Medication Detail

Medication Type:  Long Term Control, should be taken every day as prescribed

Generic Names:  Beclomethasone

Brand Names:  QVAR® RediHaler

Description:  An inhaler that is taken every day for long term control of asthma symptoms to prevent irritation and swelling in the airways.

Delivery

BAI (breath-actuated inhaler)

Spacer

QVAR RediHaler can not be used with a spacer.

Dosage

Adults and children 12 years of age and older

  • 40 to 320 mcg twice a day, depending on previous therapy (maximum 320 mcg twice daily)

Children 4 to 11 years old

  • 40 mcg twice a day (maximum 80 mcg twice daily)

Proper Use

  • See instructions for proper use
  • Use every day for best results
  • Shaking is not necessary
  • Prepare inhaler by spraying twice into the air before first use or if not used for >10 days
  • Avoid spraying in face or eyes
  • Exhale fully before bringing inhaler to mouth
  • Place inhaler in mouth, close lips around mouthpiece, and inhale slowly and deeply while pushing down on the top of the canister
  • Patients using a spacer should inhale immediately after spraying medication
  • Remove inhaler and hold breath for approximately 5 to 10 seconds
  • Rinse mouth and throat with water (and spit) after use to prevent mouth or throat infection
  • Do not wash or put inhaler in water; mouth piece may be cleaned with a dry tissue or cloth
  • When the dose counter reaches “20”, the numbers will turn red; this means it is time to get a refill
  • Discard the inhaler when the dose counter displays “0”

For proper inhaler technique visit our inhaler page.

Missed Dose

  • If you miss a dose, skip that dose and go back to your normal schedule.
  • Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Precautions

  • Do NOT use this drug to treat an asthma attack
  • If you have been taking this drug for many weeks, talk with your doctor about slowly stopping this drug
  • Avoid being near anyone with chickenpox or measles
  • Talk with your doctor if you have glaucoma or cataracts, high blood sugar (diabetes), a fast heartbeat, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, soft and brittle bones (osteoporosis), overactive thyroid, seizures, or if you are being treated for any type of infection
  • Have eye pressure checked after long term use

Common Interactions

This medication interacts with some other medications, including nonselective beta-blockers (levobunolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol), citalopram, and others.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your medications and health problems so they can check for any interactions.

Possible Side Effects

Possible side effects include headache, runny nose, and sore throat.

Tell your doctor or seek medical attention if you notice any signs of infection, tremors, racing heartbeat, of trouble breathing.

Proper Storage

  • Store at room temperature
  • Protect from heat, light, and water
  • Do not store in a bathroom
  • Never wash the inhaler. Keep it dry
  • Throw away the inhaler if the dose counter has not reached “0” within 3 months after taking inhaler out of foil package
  • Keep HFA inhaler away from open flame
  • Do not puncture canister
  • Do not store in extreme temperatures, such as in a parked car
  • Do not use the “float test” to test if canister is empty
  • Use dose counter to check number of doses remaining in the inhaler