BECLOMETHASONE

Corticosteroid

Dosage Forms

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Inhaler

50 micrograms/metered dose inhalation

Nasal spray (aqueous suspension)

50 micrograms/metered spray

Uses

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  • Asthma
  • Nasal allergy

Dose and Duration

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Step 2 asthma treatment
Inhale 100‒400 micrograms every 12 hours. Double the dose during exacerbations
Step 3 asthma treatment
Inhale 0.4‒1 mg every 12 hours
Step 4 asthma treatment
Up to 2 mg daily in divided doses
Nasal allergy
Adult and child >6 years:100 micrograms (2 sprays) into each nostril every 12 hours (max 400 micrograms i.e. 8 sprays per day) until symptoms are controlled; then (50 micrograms) 1 spray into each nostril every 12 hours

Contraindications

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  • Allergy to beclomethasone

Side Effects

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  • Candidiasis of mouth and throat, throat irritation, cough
  • Adrenal suppression on prolonged use of high doses
  • Local side effects of nasal application include nasal dry ness, irritation of the nose and throat, and epistaxis

Patient instructions

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  • Use the inhaler every day to ensure adequate control of asthma
  • If wheezing increases straight after inhalation, use the salbutamol inhaler immediately to get relief. Do not use the inhaler again and report incident to the health worker
  • After inhalation, rinse mouth with water and spit out or clean the child’s teeth to reduce risk of oral candidiasis

Pregnancy

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  • Can be used

Breastfeeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Avoid high doses; only continue with high doses if there is a clear benefit over the lower doses
  • Instruct patient in proper use of inhaler
  • Paradoxical bronchospasm may occur with an immediate increase in wheezing after inhaling. This should be treat ed immediately with a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator (salbutamol). Discontinue use of beclomethasone immediately and , and if necessary initiate alternative therapy
  • Avoid nasal preparations in presence of untreated nasal infections and after nasal surgery (unless healing has occurred) and in pulmonary tuberculosis