AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph Pregnancy
category AU: B3 Molar mass 521.042 g/mol | MedlinePlus a681047 CAS ID 4419-39-0 | |
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Trade names Qvar, Beconase AQ, others Routes of
administration inhalation, nasal, topical ATC code A07EA07 (WHO) D07AC15 (WHO), R01AD01 (WHO), R03BA01 (WHO) | ||
Beclometasone dipropionate, also spelled beclomethasone dipropionate and sold under the brand name Qvar among others, is a steroid medication. It is available as an inhaler, cream, pills, and nasal spray. The inhaled form is used in the long-term management of asthma. The cream may be used for dermatitis and psoriasis. The pills have been used to treat ulcerative colitis. The nasal spray is used to treat allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps.
Contents
Common side effects with the inhaled form include respiratory infections, headaches, and throat inflammation. Serious side effects include an increased risk of infection, cataracts, Cushing’s syndrome, and severe allergic reactions. Long-term use of the pill form may cause adrenal insufficiency. The pills may also cause mood or personality changes. The inhaled form is generally regarded as safe in pregnancy. Beclometasone is mainly a glucocorticoid.
Beclometasone dipropionate was first patented in 1962 and used medically in 1972. It was approved for medical use in the United States in 1976. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. The wholesale price in the developing world for an inhaler containing 200 doses of medication is about 3.20 USD as of 2014. In the United States it costs between 50 and 100 USD for a typical month supply of the inhaled form.
Side effects
Occasionally, it may cause a cough upon inhalation. Deposition on the tongue and throat may promote oral candidiasis, which appears as a white coating, possibly with irritation. This may usually be prevented by rinsing the mouth with water after using the inhaler. Other adverse drug reaction side effects may rarely include: a smell similar to burning plastic, unpleasant taste, hoarseness or nasal congestion, pain or headache, and visual changes. Allergic reactions may occur, but rarely.
Nasal corticosteroids may be associated with central serous retinopathy.
Names
Beclometasone dipropionate is the INN modified and beclomethasone dipropionate is the USAN and former BAN. It is a prodrug of the free form, beclometasone (INN).
Clenil, Qvar are brandnames for the inhalers. Beconase, alanase, Vancenase, Qnasl for the nasal spray or aerosol.