beclomethasone inhaler, Vanceril (Discontinued), Qvar

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Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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GENERIC NAME: beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler

BRAND NAME: Vanceril (Discontinued), Qvar

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Beclomethasone is a synthetic steroid of the glucocorticoid family that is used for treating asthma. 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 travels directly into the lungs, and very little is absorbed into the body. Therefore, in comparison with glucocorticoids that are taken orally, beclomethasone has fewer side effects. The FDA approved beclomethasone in May 1976.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Inhaler 40 mcg/actuation; 80 mcg/actuation.

STORAGE: Beclomethasone should be kept at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Beclomethasone is used for the control of bronchial asthma in persons requiring continuous treatment. Such patients may include those with frequent asthmatic episodes that require medications to dilate the airways in the lung or those with asthmatic episodes at night.

DOSING: Beclomethasone is used to prevent attacks of asthma and not to treat active attacks of asthma. The recommended dose is 40 to 320 mcg twice daily for adults and 40 to 80 mg twice daily for children. Beclomethasone 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 for two to three weeks.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: No drug interactions have been described with inhaled beclomethasone.

PREGNANCY: There does not appear to be an increased risk of malformation in children born to mothers exposed to beclomethasone during pregnancy. Additionally, there is no risk of dependency or withdrawal symptoms.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if beclomethasone is secreted in breast milk. Other medications 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.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects associated with inhaled beclomethasone are mild cough or bronchospasm (wheezing) due to chemical irritation. These effects may be minimized by using an inhaled bronchodilator (for example, albuterol [Ventolin, Proventil, Proventil-HFA, AccuNeb, Vospire, ProAir]) prior to using beclomethasone.

Headache, upper respiratory tract infections, sore throat, and nasal congestion are also common. Oral candidiasis or thrush, a fungal infection of the mouth and throat, can occur. The risk of thrush is greater with higher doses, but the risk in children is lower than in adults.

Hoarseness may occur due to chemical irritation. A spacer device that can be attached to the inhaler and washing the mouth with water following each use of beclomethasone reduces the amount of beclomethasone in the mouth and throat and reduces the risk of thrush and hoarseness.

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