Beclomethasone Nasal

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water and call your doctor.

Using steroid medicine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using beclomethasone nasal.

Other drugs may interact with beclomethasone nasal, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

The usual dose is 1 to 2 sprays into each nostril once per day. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

This medicine comes with patient instructions for safe use, and directions for priming and disposal of the nasal spray. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Shake the Beconase bottle well just before each use.

It may take several days before your symptoms improve. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using beclomethasone nasal.

Your doctor will need to check your progress while you are using beclomethasone nasal, to make sure this medicine is not causing harm to your nose or sinuses.

Store in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Throw away the Beconase nasal spray after you have used 180 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Throw away the Qnasl nasal spray after you have used 120 sprays, or if the dose indicator shows a zero.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of beclomethasone is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Use beclomethasone only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

beclomethasone comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

beclomethasone is only used in the nose. Do not get it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away and call your doctor.

To use the spray:

• When you use the medicine for the first time or if you have not used beclomethasone for 7 days in a row, you must prime the spray. Press down fully on the top of the canister four times or until a fine spray comes out.
• After you prime the nasal spray, there will only be 120 doses or sprays.
• Gently blow your nose before using the spray. Tilt your head back slightly and insert the tip of the nose piece into your nostril.
• Close the opposite nostril with a finger. Release 1 spray and at the same time, breathe in gently through the nostril.
• Hold your breath for a few seconds then breathe out slowly through your mouth.
• Spray the opposite nostril using the same steps.
• Do not blow your nose after using the spray.
• Wipe the tip of the outside of the nose piece with a clean, dry tissue or cloth and put the cap back on.
• Do not remove the canister from the actuator. Qnasl™ nasal aerosol canister should only be used with the Qnasl™ nasal aerosol actuator.
• Throw beclomethasone away after you use 120 sprays or when the dose indicator read zero "0".

Dosing

The dose of beclomethasone will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of beclomethasone. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For nasal dosage form (spray):
  • For treatment of allergic rhinitis:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older—2 sprays in each nostril once a day. Each spray contains 80 micrograms (mcg).
    • Adults and children 4 to 11 years of age—1 spray in each nostril once a day.
    • Children younger than 4 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of beclomethasone, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the canister at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Do not keep beclomethasone inside a car where it could be exposed to extreme heat or cold. Do not poke holes in the canister or throw it into a fire, even if the canister is empty.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Beconase AQ: Rhinitis, nasal polyps (postsurgical prophylaxis): Inhalation, nasal: One or two inhalations (42 or 84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily; total dose: 168 to 336 mcg daily; maximum dose: 336 mcg daily

Qnasl: Allergic rhinitis: Inhalation, nasal: Qnasl 80 mcg: Two inhalations (160 mcg) in each nostril once daily (maximum: 320 mcg daily)

Beconase AQ: Rhinitis, nasal polyps (postsurgical prophylaxis): Inhalation, nasal

Children 6 to 11 years: Initial: One inhalation (42 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dose: 168 mcg daily); if response inadequate, may increase to 2 inhalations (84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dose: 336 mcg daily); once adequate control is achieved, decreased to 1 inhalation (42 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dose: 168 mcg daily)

Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Refer to adult dosing.

Qnasl: Allergic rhinitis: Inhalation, nasal

Children 4 to 11 years: Qnasl 40 mcg: One inhalation (40 mcg) in each nostril once daily (maximum: 80 mcg daily)

Children ≥12 years and Adolescents: Qnasl 80 mcg: Refer to adult dosing.

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• Adrenal suppression: May cause hypercortisolism or suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, particularly in younger children or in patients receiving high doses for prolonged periods. HPA axis suppression may lead to adrenal crisis. Withdrawal and discontinuation of a corticosteroid should be done slowly and carefully. Particular care is required when patients are transferred from systemic corticosteroids to inhaled products due to possible adrenal insufficiency or withdrawal from steroids, including an increase in allergic symptoms. Patients receiving >20 mg per day of prednisone (or equivalent) may be most susceptible. Fatalities have occurred due to adrenal insufficiency in asthmatic patients during and after transfer from systemic corticosteroids to aerosol steroids; aerosol steroids do not provide the systemic steroid needed to treat patients having trauma, surgery, or infections.

• Delayed wound healing: Avoid nasal corticosteroid use in patients with recent nasal septal ulcers, nasal surgery or nasal trauma until healing has occurred.

• Hypersensitivity reactions: Hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, angioedema, rash, urticaria, and wheezing) have been reported; discontinue for severe reactions.

• Immunosuppression: Prolonged use of corticosteroids may increase the incidence of secondary infections, mask an acute infection (including fungal infections), prolong or exacerbate viral infections, or limit response to vaccines; avoid exposure to chickenpox and/or measles, especially if not immunized. Avoid use or use with caution in patients with latent/active tuberculosis, untreated bacterial or fungal infections (local or systemic), viral or parasitic infections, or ocular herpes simplex.

• Local nasal effects: Nasal septal perforation and localized Candida albicans infections of the nose and/or pharynx may occur. Nasal discomfort, epistaxis, and nasal ulceration may also occur; periodically examine nasal mucosa in patients on long-term therapy. Monitor patients for adverse nasal effects; discontinuation of therapy may be necessary if an infection occurs.

• Ocular disease: Increased intraocular pressure, open-angle glaucoma, and/or cataracts have occurred with intranasal corticosteroid use; use with caution in patients with a history of increased intraocular pressure, cataracts and/or glaucoma. Consider routine eye exams in chronic users or in patients who report visual changes.

Special populations:

• Pediatric: Avoid using higher than recommended dosages; suppression of linear growth (ie, reduction of growth velocity), reduced bone mineral density, or hypercortisolism (Cushing syndrome) may occur; titrate to lowest effective dose. Reduction in growth velocity may occur when corticosteroids are administered to pediatric patients, even at recommended doses via intranasal route (monitor growth).

Other warnings/precautions:

• Appropriate use: Rhinitis: Do not use in the presence of untreated localized infection involving the nasal mucosa. Do not continue use beyond 3 weeks in the absence of significant symptomatic improvement. Symptomatic relief may not occur for as long as 2 weeks.

• Appropriate use: Nasal polyps: Treatment may need to be continued for several weeks or more before a therapeutic result can be fully assessed. Treatment of nasal polyps with beclomethasone should be considered adjunctive therapy to surgical removal and/or the use of other medications that will permit effective penetration of beclomethasone into the nose. Recurrence can occur after stopping treatment.

Beclomethasone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Beclomethasone nasal (for the nose) is used to treat symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies. The Beconase brand of this medication is also used to keep nasal polyps from coming back after surgery to remove them.

Beclomethasone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water and call your doctor.

Using steroid medicine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using beclomethasone nasal.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe or ongoing nosebleed;

• sores in the nose that won't heal;

• blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• signs of a hormonal disorder--worsening tiredness or muscle weakness, anxiety, feeling irritable, feeling light-headed, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, weight loss, or weight gain (especially in your face or your upper back and torso); or

• signs of infection--fever, chills, sores or white patches in or around your nose, flu symptoms, redness or swelling.

Common side effects may include:

• discomfort or irritation inside your nose;

• sneezing, runny or stuffy nose;

• nosebleed;

• fever, sore throat;

• headache, nausea; or

• unpleasant taste or smell.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water and call your doctor.

Beclomethasone nasal can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using beclomethasone nasal.

6 to 12 years of age:
Initial dose: Nasal metered spray (42 mcg): 1 to 2 nasal inhalations (42 to 84 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (168 to 336 mcg/day)
Maintenance dose: Nasal metered spray (42 mcg): 1 nasal inhalation (42 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (168 mcg/day)
Maximum dose: Nasal metered spray (42 mcg): 2 nasal inhalations (84 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (336 mcg/day)

12 years and older:
Nasal metered aerosol (80 mcg): 2 nasal aerosol sprays in each nostril once a day (total dose 320 mcg per day)
Maximum dose: 4 nasal aerosol sprays per day
Nasal metered spray (42 mcg): 1 to 2 nasal inhalations (42 to 84 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (168 to 336 mcg/day)

Comments:
-Nasal metered spray: Symptomatic relief usually occurs within a few days after starting therapy; however, in some patients it may take as long as 2 weeks.
-Nasal metered spray should not be continued beyond 3 weeks in the absence of significant symptomatic improvement.

Uses:
-Treatment of the nasal symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
-Relief of the symptoms of nonallergic (vasomotor) rhinitis
-Prevention of recurrence of nasal polyps following surgical removal

6 to 12 years of age:
Initial dose: Nasal metered spray (42 mcg): 1 to 2 nasal inhalations (42 to 84 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (168 to 336 mcg/day)
Maintenance dose: Nasal metered spray (42 mcg): 1 nasal inhalation (42 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (168 mcg/day)
Maximum dose: Nasal metered spray (42 mcg): 2 nasal inhalations (84 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (336 mcg/day)

12 years and older:
Nasal metered aerosol (80 mcg): 2 nasal aerosol sprays in each nostril once a day (total dose 320 mcg per day)
Maximum dose: 4 nasal aerosol sprays per day
Nasal metered spray (42 mcg): 1 to 2 nasal inhalations (42 to 84 mcg) in each nostril twice a day (168 to 336 mcg/day)

Comments:
-Nasal metered spray: Symptomatic relief usually occurs within a few days after starting therapy; however, in some patients it may take as long as 2 weeks.
-Nasal metered spray should not be continued beyond 3 weeks in the absence of significant symptomatic improvement.

Uses:
-Treatment of the nasal symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
-Relief of the symptoms of nonallergic (vasomotor) rhinitis
-Prevention of recurrence of nasal polyps following surgical removal