Beclomethasone nasal spray

What is Beclomethasone Nasal Spray?

• Beclomethasone Nasal Spray (Beconase AQ) is an anti-inflammatory steroid used to relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny, stuffy, or itchy nose (rhinitis) caused by hay fever, other allergies, or vasomotor (nonallergic) rhinitis.
• It is also indicated for the prevention of recurrence of nasal polyps following surgical removal.

Beclomethasone

Beclomethasone ball-and-stick

What are the uses of this medicine?

• Beclomethasone Nasal Spray (Beconase AQ) used to relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny, stuffy, or itchy nose (rhinitis) caused by hay fever, other allergies, or vasomotor (nonallergic) rhinitis.
• It is also indicated for the prevention of recurrence of nasal polyps following surgical removal.

limitations of use:

• Beclomethasone Nasal Spray (Beconase AQ) should not be used to treat symptoms (e.g., sneezing, stuffy, runny, itchy nose) caused by the common cold.

How does this medicine work?

• Following topical administration, beclomethasone dipropionate produces anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects.
• The mechanisms responsible for the anti-inflammatory action of beclomethasone dipropionate are unknown.
• Corticosteroids have been shown to have a wide range of effects on multiple cell types (e.g., mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes) and mediators (e.g., histamine, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, and cytokines) involved in inflammation.
• The direct relationship of these findings to the effects of beclomethasone dipropionate on allergic rhinitis symptoms is not known.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients who:

• Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Beclomethasone dipropionate was first patented in 1962 and used medically in 1972.
• It was approved for medical use in the United States in 1976.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage: Adults and Children 12 Years of Age and Older:

• The usual dosage is 1 or 2 nasal inhalations (42 to 84 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (total dose, 168 to 336 mcg/day).

Children 6 to 12 Years of Age:

• Patients should be started with 1 nasal inhalation in each nostril twice daily; patients not adequately responding to 168 mcg or those with more severe symptoms may use 336 mcg (2 inhalations in each nostril).
• Once adequate control is achieved, the dosage should be decreased to 84 mcg (1 spray in each nostril) twice daily.
• The maximum total daily dosage should not exceed 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily (336 mcg/day).

Administration:

• Beclomethasone comes as a suspension (liquid) to spray in the nose. It is usually sprayed in each nostril twice a day.
• An adult should help children younger than 12 years old to use beclomethasone nasal spray.
• Children younger than 6 years of age should not use this medication.
• Beclomethasone nasal spray is only for use in the nose.
• Do not swallow the nasal spray and be careful not to spray it into your mouth or eyes.
• Each bottle of beclomethasone nasal spray should only be used by one person.
• Do not share beclomethasone nasal spray because this may spread germs.
• Beclomethasone nasal spray controls the symptoms of hay fever or allergies but does not cure these conditions.
• Your symptoms may begin to improve a few days after you first use beclomethasone, but it may take 1 to 2 weeks before you feel the full benefit of beclomethasone.
• Beclomethasone works best when used regularly.
• If you are using beclomethasone nasal spray to prevent the recurrence of nasal polyps after surgery, you may have to continue treatment for several weeks as directed by your doctor.
• The correct amount of medication in each spray cannot be assured after 180 sprays even though the bottle is not completely empty. Discard the bottle after 180 sprays.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As Beconase AQ Nasal Spray

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Beconase AQ
• QNASL
• Vancenase AQ

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• Mild nasopharyngeal irritation
• occasional sneezing attacks
• headache, nausea, or lightheadedness
• nasal stuffiness, nosebleeds, rhinorrhea, or tearing eyes
• dryness and irritation of the nose and throat
• unpleasant taste and smell

Beconase AQ may cause serious side effects include:

• ulceration of the nasal mucosa
• nasal septum perforation
• wheezing
• cataracts
• glaucoma
• increased intraocular pressure
• hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions, urticaria, angioedema, rash, and bronchospasm
• growth suppression

What special precautions should I follow?

• The replacement of a systemic corticosteroid with Beconase AQ Nasal Spray can be accompanied by signs of adrenal insufficiency. Careful attention must be given when patients previously treated for prolonged periods with systemic corticosteroids are transferred to Beconase AQ Nasal Spray.
• Persons who are using drugs that suppress the immune system are more susceptible to infections than healthy individuals. Chickenpox and measles, for example, can have a more serious or even fatal course in susceptible children or adults using corticosteroids. In children or adults who have not had these diseases or been properly immunized, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure.
• Intranasal corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth velocity when administered to pediatric patients.
• During withdrawal from oral corticosteroids, some patients may experience symptoms of withdrawal, e.g., joint and/or muscular pain, lassitude, and depression.
• Rarely, immediate hypersensitivity reactions may occur after the intranasal administration of beclomethason.
• Rare instances of nasal septum perforation have been spontaneously reported.
• Rare instances of wheezing, cataracts, glaucoma, and increased intraocular pressure have been reported following the intranasal use of beclomethasone dipropionate. Consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms or use Beconase AQ Nasal Spray long term.
• In clinical studies with beclomethasone dipropionate administered intranasally, the development of localized infections of the nose and pharynx with Candida albicans has occurred only rarely.
• Patients using Beconase AQ Nasal Spray over several months or longer should be examined periodically for possible changes in the nasal mucosa.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• hypercorticism and adrenal suppression

Management of overdosage:

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
• Beclomethasone dipropionate should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• The safety and effectiveness of Beconase AQ Nasal Spray have been established in children aged 6 years and above.
• The safety and effectiveness of Beconase AQ Nasal Spray in children below 6 years of age have not been established.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active Ingredients:

• BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE MONOHYDRATE

Inactive Ingredients:

• MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE
• CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE SODIUM, UNSPECIFIED FORM
• DEXTROSE, UNSPECIFIED FORM
• BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
• POLYSORBATE 80
• PHENYLETHYL ALCOHOL

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

Distributed by:

• GlaxoSmithKline
• Research Triangle Park, NC

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F).

• Dailymed label info on Beclomethasone nasal spray
• FDA Beclomethasone nasal spray

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