Beclomethasone

What Is Beclomethasone?

Beclomethasone, most often sold as beclomethasone dipropionate (also spelled beclometasone), is a synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid. It is used locally, which means it is breathed into the lungs or sprayed into the nose, so less of the medicine reaches the rest of the body than with steroid tablets.

Drug class: Corticosteroid (glucocorticoid), used as an inhaled corticosteroid or a nasal corticosteroid.

Approved and Common Prescribed Uses

Depending on the country, form, and label, beclomethasone is used for:

• Asthma (inhaled): regular (maintenance) treatment to help control symptoms and prevent flare-ups, in adults and in children from about 4 years of age, depending on the product.
• Allergic rhinitis (nasal spray): relief of sneezing, runny nose, itching, and nasal congestion caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.
• Non-allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps (some nasal products): relief of nasal symptoms, where labeled.

In some countries, beclomethasone is also available in other forms, such as skin products or oral forms for certain bowel conditions. These are not available everywhere and are not covered in detail here.

Beclomethasone inhalers are not rescue inhalers and do not relieve sudden asthma symptoms.

Available Formulations and Strengths

Formulation	Common Strengths	Main Use
Inhalation aerosol or breath-activated inhaler	Varies by country (for example, 40 and 80 mcg per puff, and in some countries 50, 100, and 250 mcg)	Asthma
Nasal spray (aqueous suspension)	About 42 mcg or 50 mcg per spray	Allergic and non-allergic rhinitis
Nasal aerosol (dry mist)	About 40 mcg or 80 mcg per spray	Allergic rhinitis

Beclomethasone is also combined with other medicines in some inhalers, such as with a long-acting bronchodilator (ICS/LABA) or with two bronchodilators (triple therapy). Those combination products have their own guides. Available products, strengths, and approved ages differ by country and brand.

What Is the Recommended Dosage of Beclomethasone?

A licensed healthcare professional chooses the product and dose. It depends on:

• The condition being treated and how severe it is.
• The form used: inhaled and nasal products are dosed differently.
• Age: children, teenagers, and adults often use different strengths, and some products are not approved for young children.
• How well symptoms are controlled, and whether symptoms have improved or worsened over time.
• Other health conditions, such as liver disease or infections.

Body weight is not usually used to set the dose. Dose adjustments for kidney disease are not typically needed.

Dosage Forms

• Inhalation aerosol or breath-activated inhaler
• Nasal spray

General Use Information

• Inhalers are usually used on a regular schedule, often twice daily. Some devices need shaking before use, and some are breath-activated. Rinse your mouth with water after each use and spit it out to lower the chance of mouth and throat infections. Do not swallow the rinse water. A spacer may be advised, particularly for children.
• Nasal sprays are usually used once or twice daily. Shake the bottle if the label says to, prime it as directed, and aim the spray toward the outer wall of the nose, away from the center divider (septum). Gently blow your nose before use, and avoid blowing it right after.

Using more than directed does not improve results and can raise the risk of side effects. Follow your specialist’s instructions and the product label.

How Beclomethasone Works

Beclomethasone belongs to a group of medicines that calm the body’s inflammatory response. When airways or nasal passages are inflamed, they become swollen, irritated, and more sensitive to triggers such as pollen, dust, smoke, or cold air. Beclomethasone reduces the release of inflammatory substances and the activity of immune cells in the treated area.

• In the lungs, this means less swelling in the airways, which helps reduce wheezing, coughing, and flare-ups over time.
• In the nose, it helps ease sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion.

Beclomethasone is a prodrug. This means it is mostly inactive until the body converts it into its active form, which happens mainly in the lungs and nose.

Beclomethasone helps manage these conditions but does not cure them. It works best when used regularly as directed, and the full benefit may take days to weeks. It does not work right away, so it is not a rescue medicine.

Is a Prescription Required to Buy Beclomethasone Online?

It depends on the form and the country.

• Inhalers: These are available by prescription only in most countries.
• Nasal sprays: In the United States, beclomethasone nasal products are prescription-only. In some other countries, certain nasal sprays are available without a prescription for hay fever and allergy symptoms. Check the label, and talk with a pharmacist or healthcare professional, especially for children or for long-term use.

Which Specialist Can Help?

• A pulmonologist (lung specialist) or allergist/immunologist often manages asthma and allergic conditions.
• An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist may help with nasal and sinus conditions.
• A pediatrician or primary care provider may also prescribe it and follow the patient over time.

Buying Safely

• Buy only from licensed pharmacies.
• Be wary of sites that sell prescription products without a prescription or at prices that seem too low. Such products may be counterfeit, expired, badly stored, or contain the wrong ingredients.
• Make sure the package is sealed, properly labeled, and has an expiration date. If anything looks odd, ask a pharmacist.

Side Effects of Beclomethasone

Many people tolerate beclomethasone well, but side effects can occur. Not everyone will have them. Side effects depend on the form used.

Common Side Effects

Inhaled:

• Hoarse voice, sore throat, or throat irritation
• Cough
• Thrush (white or yellow patches) in the mouth or throat
• Headache
• Colds and other upper respiratory infections
• Sinus inflammation

Nasal spray:

• Nosebleeds or blood-streaked mucus
• Nasal dryness, burning, or irritation
• Headache
• Sore throat or cough
• Sneezing right after use
• Unpleasant taste or smell

Serious Side Effects

These are uncommon but important:

• Allergic reactions: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, or trouble breathing
• Breathing that suddenly gets worse right after an inhaled dose (paradoxical bronchospasm)
• Eye problems, such as blurred vision, cataracts, or glaucoma, with long-term use
• Slowed growth in children with long-term use
• Suppressed adrenal function or too much steroid effect (Cushing’s syndrome), especially with high doses or long-term use
• Lower bone density with long-term inhaled use
• Increased risk of infection, or worsening of existing infections such as tuberculosis, herpes, or fungal infections
• Nasal sores, slow wound healing, or a hole in the nasal septum with nasal spray

When to Get Medical Help Right Away

Seek emergency care if there is:

• Severe trouble breathing, or breathing that worsens after using the inhaler
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Severe or persistent nosebleeds

Contact a healthcare professional soon if you notice vision changes, white patches in the mouth, slow growth in a child, or symptoms that are not improving.

Drug Interactions

Beclomethasone has fewer major interactions than some other steroids, but some medicines can still raise steroid levels or add to steroid effects. Give your specialist and pharmacist a full list of everything you use.

Prescription Medicine Categories

• Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as ritonavir- and cobicistat-containing HIV medicines, certain antifungals (such as ketoconazole and itraconazole), and certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin). Beclomethasone is less dependent on this pathway than some other steroids, but caution is still advised, particularly with long-term use.
• Other steroid medicines, including steroid tablets, injections, or other inhaled, nasal, or skin steroids, which can add to steroid effects.
• Medicines that weaken the immune system, which may increase infection risk.
• Long-acting bronchodilators or other asthma and allergy medicines, which are often used with beclomethasone but should be directed by a doctor.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines

• Other OTC nasal sprays or allergy medicines should be used with beclomethasone only with a healthcare professional’s approval.
• Some cold and allergy products contain steroids or decongestants. Check labels.

Supplements and Herbal Products

• St. John’s wort and other herbal products can change how the body handles medicines. Ask before using them.
• Tell your healthcare professional about any supplement you use.

Do not start, stop, or change any medicine or supplement without telling your healthcare professional.

Safety & Important Considerations

Not for Sudden Symptoms

Beclomethasone does not treat a sudden asthma attack. Keep a fast-acting rescue inhaler on hand as directed, and get emergency help if breathing gets worse.

Eye Health

Long-term use of steroids can raise the risk of cataracts and glaucoma. Tell your healthcare professional about any eye problems or a family history of glaucoma, and report vision changes right away. Regular eye checks may be advised.

Infections

Steroids can lower the body’s ability to fight some infections. Tell your healthcare professional if you have or have been exposed to tuberculosis, chickenpox, measles, or untreated fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections.

Nasal Spray Precautions

Avoid beclomethasone nasal spray if you have recent nasal surgery, nasal injury, or nasal sores until they have healed, unless a doctor says otherwise.

Liver Disease

Beclomethasone is broken down by the body in the lungs, nose, and liver. People with severe liver disease may have higher levels in the body and need closer monitoring.

Kidney Disease

Dose changes are not usually needed, but share any kidney conditions with your provider.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
• Uncontrolled asthma or severe allergy can also pose risks in pregnancy, so decisions about treatment should be made with a specialist.
• It is not fully known whether beclomethasone passes into breast milk in meaningful amounts.

Children and Older Adults

• Children: Approved ages differ by product. Growth should be monitored regularly in children using steroids over long periods.
• Older adults: Bone loss, eye conditions, and other health problems may call for closer monitoring.

Conditions to Discuss Before Starting

Tell your healthcare professional if you have, or have had:

• Eye problems, such as cataracts or glaucoma
• Tuberculosis or other untreated infections
• Liver disease
• Osteoporosis
• Recent nasal surgery, injury, or nasal sores
• An allergy to any steroid medicine or to ingredients in the product

Monitoring

Your care team may:

• Track symptoms, lung function tests, and how often you need rescue medicine
• Check eyes, bone health, and growth in children during long-term use
• Check the inside of the nose during long-term nasal spray use

Switching From Steroid Tablets

If you are changing from oral steroids to an inhaled steroid, your doctor will lower the steroid dose gradually. Do not stop steroid tablets suddenly.

Safety Information From Regulators

Regulators note that steroids used in the lungs or nose carry warnings about eye changes, infections, adrenal suppression, growth effects in children, and interactions with certain medicines. Read the current prescribing information and patient leaflet that come with your medicine.

Who This Medication Is For

Beclomethasone is intended for:

• People with asthma who need regular, long-term controller treatment, as decided by their healthcare professional and within the label’s age limits.
• People with allergic or non-allergic rhinitis who need relief of nasal symptoms.

A specialist or primary care provider decides if it is appropriate after reviewing symptoms, prior treatments, and overall health.

Who Should Not Take Beclomethasone

Do not use this medicine if:

• You are allergic to beclomethasone, other steroid medicines, or any other ingredient in the product.
• You are having a sudden, severe asthma attack (status asthmaticus) or need quick relief of breathing symptoms. Inhaled beclomethasone is not for primary treatment of these emergencies.
• You have a nasal infection or recent nasal injury or surgery that has not healed, if you are using the nasal spray, unless a doctor says otherwise.

Important Precautions

Use extra caution and speak with your specialist if you have eye conditions, an active infection, liver disease, osteoporosis, or recent nasal injury or surgery. Use extra caution in children and when using more than one steroid product.

What to Do If You Miss a Dose

• If you miss a dose, skip it if it is almost time for the next one. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Return to your usual schedule.
• Never double up or take extra doses to catch up.
• If you often forget doses or are unsure what to do, contact a licensed healthcare professional or pharmacist.
• If symptoms worsen after a missed dose, follow your action plan and get medical help if needed.

Related medications to Beclomethasone

Other medicines used for similar conditions include:

• Other inhaled corticosteroids for asthma, such as fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, or ciclesonide
• Inhaled corticosteroid combinations with a long-acting bronchodilator (ICS/LABA), or triple-therapy inhalers
• Other nasal corticosteroids, such as fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, or triamcinolone
• Antihistamine nasal sprays or tablets, or combination nasal sprays, for allergic rhinitis
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists, such as montelukast, for asthma or allergic rhinitis

These options differ in how they are used, how they work, and their side effects. Do not switch or stop treatment without guidance. Any change should be made after consulting a licensed medical specialist.

Storage Instructions

• Store at room temperature, usually about 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), or as stated on the label.
• Keep products dry and away from moisture, such as steamy bathrooms.
• Protect from light, heat, and freezing. Inhaler canisters and nasal aerosols are pressurized, so do not puncture them, burn them, or keep them near heat or open flame.
• Keep the cap on the inhaler or nasal spray when not in use.
• Follow the label for how long a product can be used after it is opened, and stop using an inhaler when the dose counter reads zero.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets. Never share your inhaler or nasal spray with others.
• Dispose of expired or empty products as advised by your pharmacist or local disposal program.

Disclaimer:

This page is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must consult a licensed pulmonologist, allergist, ear, nose, and throat specialist, or other relevant medical specialist before starting, changing, or stopping treatment. Treatment decisions must be based on a full clinical evaluation by a qualified specialist. Always follow the prescribing information and patient leaflet provided with your medicine.