Qvar (Beclomethasone) Oral Inhalation

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Beclomethasone (Qvar) is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) used to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, and breathing problems caused by severe asthma. It works directly in the lungs to make breathing easier by reducing the irritation and swelling of the airways.

How should it be used?

  • Qvar is used for patients aged 5 years and older.
  • Do not use to treat an asthma attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse the symptoms.
  • Use medicine exactly as the doctor prescribed.
  • Do not stop using without talking to the doctor.

For Use for the Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

Qvar is used to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Qvar helps EoE of the esophagus to heal. It is VERY important NOT to use a spacer when inhaling this medication. Instead, follow these directions:

  1. Remove cap from the mouthpiece.
  2. Breathe out through your mouth.
  3. Hold the inhaler facing you with the mouthpiece on the bottom. Place your thumb under the mouthpiece and your index finger on the top of the canister. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth and close lips around it.
  4. Breathe in deeply and through your mouth. At the same time press down firmly on the top of the canister releasing one dose of the medication.
  5. When you have breathed in fully, remove inhaler from your mouth and close your mouth.
  6. Try to hold your breath for up to 10 seconds.
  7. When you cannot hold your breath anymore, swallow.
  8. Repeat steps to give a second dose.

***It is very important to rinse your mouth out after taking the medication. DO NOT SWALLOW THE WATER. Spit it out. If you swallow the water or juice it will wash the medication away from the affected areas.

For younger child who cannot use the inhaler properly, you can spray the Qvar on top of some juice and have the child swallow the juice.

Special Precautions / Instructions

Before you start taking this medicine, tell you doctor about any of the following:

  • All medications (including over-the-counter), vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you are taking.
  • If you are allergic to beclomethasone or any other drugs.
  • Taking arthritis medications, aspirin, digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics (water pills), estrogen (Premarin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral contraceptives, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
  • Have a fungal infection (other than on your skin).
  • Have or have ever had liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart disease; diabetes; an under active thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mental illness; myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; or ulcers.
  • Pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using beclomethasone, call your doctor.
  • Have a history of ulcers or use large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages while using this drug. Beclomethasone makes your stomach and intestines more susceptible to the irritating effects of alcohol, aspirin, and certain arthritis medications; this effect increases your risk of getting ulcers.

Special Note

Avoid exposure to chicken pox and measles. This drug makes you more likely to catch these illnesses. If you are exposed to them while using beclomethasone, call your doctor. Do not have a vaccination or other immunization without your doctor’s approval.

Side Effects

Qvar may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • Dry or irritated throat and mouth
  • cough
  • difficult or painful speech

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • skin rash
  • increased difficulty breathing
  • white spots or sores in your mouth
  • swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
  • vision problems
  • cold or infection that lasts a long time
  • muscle weakness

Storage Conditions

Store medication with the mouthpiece down, at room temperature, away from heat, moisture (not in the bathroom), and direct light. Keep this medication, and all medications, out of reach of children.

Emergency / Overdose

Call the national poison control center 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1 in the event of an overdose. If the person is not breathing or has collapsed, contact local emergency services, usually at 9-1-1.

Additional Information

Additional information may be found at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000537

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