Drug Overview:
Beclomethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that has shown proven efficacy as an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antipruritic agent. This drug is used for the reduction of symptoms due to allergic or non-allergic rhinitis. Beclomethasone is available as a metered dose inhaler in the dosage of 42 and 80 mcg as a nasal spray suspension or solution. It can be used effectively to treat symptoms associated with allergic and non-allergic rhinitis in both adults and children (above six years of age).
How Does the Drug Beclomethasone Work?
The drug Beclomethasone enters the cells and works by inhibiting the specific receptors within the cells resulting in the reduction or inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokine production by changes in gene expression.
Uses:
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Beclomethasone is used to treat the symptoms associated with allergic or non-allergic rhinitis, like sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, and asthmatic allergies.
Doses:
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Beclomethasone is available in aerosol, liquid form as a metered-dose inhaler in dosages of 42 and 80 mcg as a nasal spray suspension or solution for the treatment of allergic or non-allergic rhinitis.
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Beclomethasone is available as an oral inhalation dose of 40 and 80 mcg for the treatment of asthmatic allergies.
Warning:
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Risk of Developing Ocular Symptoms: Prolonged use of the corticosteroid drug can result in increased intraocular pressure, risk of glaucoma, and cataract.
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Risk of Growth Suppression in Children: The Beclomethasone drug carries a risk of reduction in the speed of growth of a child in a few cases.
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Risk of Adrenal Suppression: The long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to suppression of the hypo-pituitary adrenal axis.
For Patients:
Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic rhinitis occurs when the person comes into contact with the allergens like pollen, dust, and mites resulting in symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. It is also called hay fever.
Non-allergic Rhinitis: Non-allergic rhinitis occurs due to inflammation of the tissues lining the nose. It is also called vasomotor rhinitis. It has symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis.
Learn More About Beclomethasone:
When and Why to Take Beclomethasone Medications?
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Beclomethasone nasal spray can be taken by the person detected with allergic or non-allergic rhinitis based on the clinical examination by the doctor. It is used to reduce and treat the associated symptoms. It is taken in correct doses and frequency under the doctor's prescription.
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Beclomethasone works by a reduction in the release of inflammatory mediators like histamines, leukotrienes, and cytokines by acting on specific receptors within the cell resulting in altered genetic expression. It reduces and treats the symptoms associated with allergic or non-allergic rhinitis by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production and suppressing inflammatory cells like mast cells and neutrophils.
How Effective Is Beclomethasone Against Allergic and Non-allergic Rhinitis?
Based on the studies and clinical trials, Beclomethasone was proven to be effective in relieving the symptoms of asthmatic allergies and allergic and non-allergic rhinitis by its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and antipruritic properties.
Things to Inform Your Doctor Before They Prescribe You Beclomethasone:
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Always inform your doctor if you are under any drug like antiviral, analgesics, or steroids, as Beclomethasone has numerous drug interactions, which may worsen the symptoms if taken with another drug.
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Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any medications.
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Inform your doctor if you have any history of nasal septal perforations, nasal surgeries, and nasal ulcers, as the drug Beclomethasone can be started only after complete healing of the surgical site.
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Inform your doctor if you have any medical history and are under treatment for the same.
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Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding mother.
Starting Beclomethasone Medications:
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Beclomethasone should be taken at the exact dosage and frequency prescribed by your doctor. The drug Beclomethasone is available in the metered-dose inhaler in nasal spray suspension or solution form in the dose of 42 and 80 mcg.
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Always shake the bottle well before use. Carefully put the nozzle into your nostril while spraying.
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It is taken as one or two sprays in each nostril twice a day by closing one nostril against the side of the nose with your finger.
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If you are using it for the first time, try first spraying in the air to check if the fine mist is present.
Things to Do After You Start Taking Beclomethasone:
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Inform the doctor immediately in case of any allergy or worsening of the symptoms.
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Keep a check on the reduction of the symptoms and inform your doctor during a follow-up check-up.
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Inform your doctor in case you have shortness of breath.
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Inform your doctor in case you have any changes in your eyesight, like blurred vision or cloudy eye lens (cornea), as it may be due to increased intraocular pressure.
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Do not keep continuing the drug if there is no improvement in the condition. Always inform your doctor if the symptoms are not reducing.
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Do not abruptly stop the drug if the symptoms are resolved. Always ask your doctor before abruptly stopping the drug.
Look Out for the Side Effects:
The most common side effects are:
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Dry or sore throat.
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Sneezing.
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Hoarseness of voice.
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Unpleasant smell or taste.
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Bleeding from the nose (epistaxis).
Some serious side effects of the Beclomethasone drug are:
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Anaphylactic reactions (hypersensitivity).
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Increase in intraocular pressure (glaucoma).
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Cataract.
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Shortness of breath.
Any of these side effects noted after taking the Beclomethasone drug should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Dietary Alterations: There is no specific diet alteration needed when you are on the Beclomethasone drug.
What Should Be Done if You Forgot a Dose?
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If you forgot your dose, use the nasal spray as soon as you remember. If in case, it is time for the second dose you can skip the first dose and just take your second dose. You can continue the regular drug schedule from the next day.
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Do not overdose to compensate for the missed dose.
What Should Be Done in Case of Beclomethasone Overdose?
Overdose of Beclomethasone nasal spray has not reported any harmful side effects yet. However, in case of any side effects, you can inform your doctor immediately.
How to Store Beclomethasone?
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The drug Beclomethasone is stored at a normal room temperature of approx 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.
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It is advised not to throw the inhaler into the fire or burn it.
Avoid Self-Prescription:
Beclomethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid and is always taken under the prescription of the doctor. After a thorough clinical examination and diagnosis of the underlying symptoms, the drug is prescribed by your doctor in the required dose and frequency based on the condition.
Staying On Beclomethasone:
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Take the drug in the specific frequency and doses as recommended by the doctor.
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Follow the procedure of taking the intranasal spray with a metered dose inhaler as suggested by the doctor.
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After taking the nasal spray, always close the cap of your inhaler to keep it sterile.
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In case of worsening of the symptoms noted after taking the drug, report to the doctor urgently.
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In case of any missed dose, do not overdose to compensate for the missed dose. You can skip the missed dose and take your regular doses the next day.
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Avoid using more than four nasal sprays in each nostril within 24 hours.
For Doctors:
Indications:
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The drug Beclomethasone is used to treat symptoms of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis like sneezing, cough, and runny or stuffy nose.
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The drug Beclomethasone is also used in the treatment of skin allergies and infections like lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Pharmacology:
Mechanism of Action: Beclomethasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid that acts by binding to the specific cell receptors after entering the cells and thereby inhibiting the proinflammatory cytokine production by alteration in gene expression.
Pharmacodynamics: Beclomethasone has shown a reduction in allergic or non-allergic rhinitis symptoms by suppression or inhibition of inflammatory mediators like histamine, leukotrienes, and cytokines. It also suppresses inflammatory cells like mast cells, basophils, and neutrophils.
Chemical Taxonomy:
Ingredients:
Active Ingredient: The only active ingredient is Beclomethasone dipropionate.
Inactive Ingredients:
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Norflurane
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Alcohol
Absorption:
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Beclomethasone is absorbed slowly.
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The mean plasma concentration of Beclomethasone dipropionate was approx 6635 pg/mL after 2 minutes of intranasal inhalation of 320 mcg drug.
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The mean plasma concentration of Beclomethasone dipropionate was approx 88 pg/mL after 2 minutes of oral inhalation of 320 mcg drug.
Distribution:
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The steady-state volume of distribution of Beclomethasone dipropionate is around 20 L after intravenous administration.
Metabolism:
Elimination:
Most of the elimination of the drug Beclomethasone, and its metabolites is through feces and the remaining 10 percent is through the urine.
Toxicity:
There are very lower chances of toxicity with Beclomethasone drugs. However, suppression of the HPA axis (hypo-pituitary adrenal axis) can occur if large amounts of drugs are consumed within a short period.
Warning and Precautions:
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Using the Beclomethasone drug for a longer period can cause suppression of the adrenal gland. So it should always be taken cautiously in the dosage and frequency as prescribed by the doctor.
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In case of worsening symptoms after taking medications, it is recommended to report to the doctor immediately.
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Beclomethasone has also shown a reduction in bone mineral density in some cases, so it should be cautiously used in osteoporosis patients and patients with other bone diseases.
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Beclomethasone should be avoided in patients with a recent history of nasal surgery, nasal ulcers, or septal perforations. It should be used cautiously in such patients only after the complete healing of the surgical area or nasal ulcers.
Doses and Forms:
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Beclomethasone can be taken in an oral inhalational form available in dosages of 40 and 80 mcg for adults and children with asthmatic allergies.
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Beclomethasone is available in aerosol liquid form as a metered nasal spray suspension or solution.
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Beclomethasone is available in dosages of 42 and 80-mcg metered-dose nasal spray suspension for patients with allergic or non-allergic rhinitis.
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Beclomethasone is also available in tablet form at the dose of 5 mg for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Administration of the Drug:
Beclomethasone is recommended as one to two sprays in each nostril twice daily in patients with allergic or non-allergic rhinitis for relieving symptoms.
Contraindications:
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Beclomethasone is not indicated in patients with allergic reactions to the drug (hypersensitivity).
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Beclomethasone is not indicated in patients with acute asthmatic attacks (primary asthma or status asthmaticus).
Drug Interactions:
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Beclomethasone can present with more risk of adverse effects if taken in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antiviral drugs like Ritonavir, and other medications containing steroids. The serum levels of Beclomethasone increase when it is combined with Abametapir.
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There is an increased risk of gastrointestinal issues if Beclomethasone is combined with Aceclofenac and Acemetacin.
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There is an increased risk of hyperglycemia if Beclomethasone is combined with Acetohexamide and Acarbose.
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Beclomethasone shoots the anticoagulant activity of the drug Acenocoumarol when given in combination.
As Beclomethasone has various drug interactions, it is therefore recommended to take the complete drug history of the patient before starting with Beclomethasone medications.
Other Specifications:
Beclomethasone in Pregnant and Lactating Women:
- It is completely safe to use Beclomethasone nasal spray during pregnancy. There is almost no chance of the drug reaching the bloodstream and the babies.
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Beclomethasone nasal spray is safe for breastfeeding mothers. However, in rare cases, if a few amounts of the drug are present in milk, it will not harm the baby.
Beclomethasone in Pediatric Patients:
Beclomethasone can be used safely in pediatric patients above six to seven years of age; however, a few side effects, like a reduction in the speed of growth of a child of around one and a half centimeters a year, have been reported.
Beclomethasone in Hepatic and Renal Impairment:
No specific guidelines are yet established for dose adjustments for patients with hepatic and renal impairment.
