BECLOMETHASONE

Brand & Generic Names

Beclovent
Beclovent Rotacaps
Vanceril

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Cortisone drug (adrenal corticosteroid), antiasthmatic

Uses

Prevents attacks of bronchial asthma and allergic hay fever. Does not stop an active asthma attack.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Aerosol--Follow package instructions. Don't inhale more than 4 times twice a day. Rinse mouth after use to prevent hoarseness, throat irritation and mouth infection. Wait at least 1 minute between inhalations.
Use other inhaled asthma drugs before beclomethasone.

When to take:
Regularly at the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Reduces inflammation in bronchial tubes.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 4 weeks.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Fluid retention, flushed face, nervousness, stomach irritation.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person inhales much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Fungus infection with white patches in mouth, dryness, sore throat, constipation, gaseousness, unpleasant taste, diarrhea, headache, cough, dizziness, hoarseness, appetite loss.

Infrequent:

• Rash, various infections, nausea or vomiting, swallowing difficulty, hives, increased thirst.
• Spasm of bronchial tubes, facial swelling, dry mouth, euphoria, insomnia, nosebleed.

Rare:

Unusual weight gain.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You have bone disease, thyroid disease, colitis, stomach ulcer, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, liver or kidney disease, diverticulitis, glaucoma, heart disease.
• You are allergic to beclomethasone.
• You have had tuberculosis or systemic fungal infection.
• You are having an asthma attack.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medicine.
• If you have an infection.

Over age 60:
More likely to develop lung infections.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood pressure, serum electrolytes, stools for blood.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Unrelated illness or injury may require cortisone drugs by mouth or injection. Notify your doctor.
• Consult doctor as soon as possible if your asthma returns while using beclamethasone as a preventive.
• Drug can reactivate tuberculosis or lung fungal infection.
• Consult doctor frequently if changing from oral cortisone drug to beclomethasone inhaler.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• Your resistance to infection is less while taking this medicine.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Albuterol	Increased beclomethasone effect.
Antiasthmatics,	Increased antiasthmatic
other*	effect.
Antidiabetic drugs*	Increased blood glucose level.
Bitolerol	Increased beclomethasone effect.
Digitalis*	Decreased blood potassium.
Diuretics*	Dangerously low potassium in blood.
Ephedrine	Increased beclomethasone effect.
Epinephrine	Increased beclomethasone effect.
Indapamide	Possible excessive potassium loss,
	causing dangerous heartbeat
	irregularity.
Isoetharine	Increased beclomethasone effect.
Isoproterenol	Increased beclomethasone effect.
Metaproterenol	Increased beclomethasone effect.
Potassium	Decreased potassium
supplements*	effect.
Terbutaline	Increased beclomethasone effect.
Theophylline	Increased beclomethasone effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Decreased beclomethasone effect.
Tobacco:	Decreased beclomethasone effect.