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| Pronunciation |
|
 (be
kloe METH a
sone) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Beclovent®; Beconase®;
Beconase® AQ; QVAR™; Vancenase®; Vancenase®
AQ; Vanceril® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Aerobec (Mexico); Beclodisk® (Canada);
Becloforte® (Canada); Beconase® Aqua (Mexico); Becotide 100
(Mexico); Becotide 250 (Mexico); Becotide Aerosol (Mexico); Propaderm®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Corticosteroid, Oral Inhaler; Corticosteroid, Nasal |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- When switching from an oral steroid to an inhaled one there can be
problems. Symptoms such as weakness, feeling tired, dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
inability to think clearly, or low blood sugar may occur. Call healthcare
provider right away if any of these occur. If you have a serious accident and
are injured, have surgery, or any type of infection you may need extra doses of
oral steroids. These extra steroids will help your body deal with these
stresses. Carry a warning card saying that you may need extra steroids at
certain times.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to beclomethasone or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have a fungal infection in your body.
- This medicine will not help if you have a severe asthma
attack.
|
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- Oral inhalation:
- This medicine is used for the treatment of chronic asthma to prevent
attacks. It is not
helpful during an asthma attack. The biggest benefit may be seen after 2 weeks
of the medicine. It may help patients get off oral steroids.
- Nasal:
- This medicine is used to treat nasal symptoms in patients with
allergies. It is not
helpful during an allergy attack. The biggest benefit may be seen after 1-2
weeks of regular use.
- May also be used to prevent nasal polyps from returning once they have
been
removed.
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| How does it work? |
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|
- Oral inhalation:
- Beclomethasone prevents and reduces irritation in the airways of the
lungs.
- Nasal:
- Beclomethasone prevents and reduces irritation and swelling in the
nose.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Oral inhalation:
- Check inhaler use with healthcare provider at each visit. Using the
inhaler the right way is very important. For aerosol, shake well first. If you
cannot work the inhaler, ask healthcare provider for a device called a spacer to
help. Children younger than 8 years of age should use a spacer.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it at
a high dose for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Rinse mouth out after each use.
- Throw medicine out after date given to you by healthcare provider.
- Nasal:
- For the nose only. Take at a similar time every day. Shake well first.
- Blow your nose before using.
- Check spray use with healthcare provider at each visit.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it at
a high dose for a long time. Medicine should be slowly
decreased.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not use a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not use this medicine on an as needed
basis.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Wear disease medical alert identification if you have asthma, lung
disease, are an allergy sufferer, or if you are going to be on this medicine
longer than 3-4 weeks.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Oral inhalation:
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Sore throat, stuffy, runny nose, hoarseness.
- Mouth infection. To prevent, rinse with water after each use.
- Nasal:
- Headache. Mild analgesic may help.
- Nasal irritation, burning, and
dryness.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- If a child is using this medicine, monitor growth carefully.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater
than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in
color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or
pain.
- Feeling weak, tired, irritable, trembling, having rapid heartbeats,
confusion, sweating, dizzy, especially if you missed a dose or recently stopped
the medicine.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Oral inhalation:
- Store aerosol at room temperature. Protect from freezing and direct
sunlight.
- Inhaler should be kept at room temperature for best effects.
- Nasal:
- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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