Beclomethasone Inhaler: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Beclomethasone Inhaler (beclomethasone dipropionate) is a corticosteroid medicine used to prevent and control asthma symptoms. It is available only with a doctor's prescription and is taken by breathing it in through a special inhaler device. It works by reducing inflammation in the airways and is used for ongoing asthma management rather than for treating a sudden asthma attack.

What is Beclomethasone Inhaler

Beclomethasone is an inhaled corticosteroid medicine used to control asthma. It is available only with a doctor's prescription and is inhaled using a special inhaler device.

Beclomethasone Inhaler uses

• Preventing and controlling asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing
• Used when asthma has not been controlled well enough with other asthma medicines, or when more than one medicine is needed every day
• Prophylactic (preventive) management of mild, moderate, or severe asthma in adults and children

Benefits of Beclomethasone Inhaler

• Helps control asthma symptoms and improve breathing when used regularly
• Can allow a reduction in the dose of oral steroids needed by some patients
• Improvement in asthma may occur within 24 hours, though full effects may take 1 to 4 weeks of regular use

How Beclomethasone Inhaler works

It works by reducing swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the airways, which makes breathing easier. It also stops certain cells in the lungs from releasing substances that cause asthma symptoms.

Beclomethasone Inhaler dosage

Available forms and strengths

• Aerosol Liquid (inhalation aerosol)

Side effects of Beclomethasone Inhaler

Common

• Headache
• Sore throat / throat irritation (pharyngitis)
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Cough
• Difficult or painful speech / voice changes
• Hoarseness
• Sinus irritation (sinusitis)
• Body aches or pain
• Fever
• Tender, swollen glands in the neck
• Trouble swallowing
• Dryness or soreness of the throat

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, or lower legs
• White patches or redness in the mouth or throat (oral thrush/candidiasis), pain when eating or swallowing
• Sudden wheezing or difficulty breathing right after using the inhaler (paradoxical bronchospasm)
• Signs of weak adrenal gland function: severe upset stomach or vomiting, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, weight loss, darkening of the skin, diarrhea, fainting, mental depression
• Changes in vision, blurred vision, or eye pain
• Signs of infection: fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in sputum color, pain when urinating, mouth sores, wound that will not heal
• Slowed growth in children
• Decreased bone mineral density (weak bones)
• Thoughts of self-harm

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine does not relieve an asthma attack that has already started. You need a separate fast-acting rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms.
• Using too much of this medicine, or using it for a long time, may cause adrenal gland problems.
• You may get infections more easily while using this medicine. Avoid people who are sick, and be especially careful around chickenpox or measles.
• This medicine may cause sudden, serious breathing problems (paradoxical bronchospasm) immediately after using it, which can be life-threatening.
• This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including severe swelling, which can be life-threatening.
• This medicine may slow growth in children.
• Long-term use may decrease bone density, leading to weak bones or osteoporosis.
• Switching from an oral steroid to this inhaler needs special care, since it can take a long time for your body's adrenal function to recover.
• Do not stop this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor.
• There is not enough evidence to be sure this medicine is safe during pregnancy. Because it is inhaled directly into the lungs, it likely results in much lower exposure than steroids taken by mouth. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• There isn't enough research on using this medicine while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor to weigh the possible benefits against the possible risks.
• No dosage adjustment is needed for people with kidney problems.
• No dosage adjustment is needed for people with liver problems.
• This inhaler contains a small amount of alcohol, but the amount is too small to cause any noticeable effects.
• This medicine is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Storage

• Store the canister at room temperature, away from heat and direct light
• Do not freeze
• Do not keep this medicine inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold
• Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use
• Store the inhaler upright with the plastic mouthpiece on top at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom)
• Avoid puncturing the aerosol container, and do not discard it in an incinerator or fire
• Do not flush this medication down the toilet; use a medicine take-back program

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have a cough or trouble breathing that gets worse right after using the inhaler.
• Get medical help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as large hive-like swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, or feet, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.
• Talk to your doctor right away if your symptoms don't improve after two weeks of using this medicine, or if they get worse.
• Call your doctor right away if you have white patches in your mouth or throat, or pain when eating or swallowing.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of adrenal gland problems, such as darkening skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness, or vomiting.
• Check with your doctor right away if you notice blurred vision, difficulty reading, or any other change in vision.
• Call your doctor right away if your asthma attack does not stop with your fast-acting rescue medicine, or if you need to use it more than usual.

Alternatives

• Fluticasone
• Budesonide
• Mometasone