Beclomethasone, Inhalation

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: corticosteroid

Generic and brand names: beclomethasone, inhalation; Qvar; Vanceril; Vanceril Double Strength

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is inhaled through your mouth to prevent asthma attacks. It does not stop attacks that have already started. Your health care provider will prescribe another medicine to be used during an attack.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before you use this medicine, tell your health care provider if you are taking other medicines for asthma, including nonprescription products. Also, tell your health care provider if you have any other medical problems.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Use it regularly and exactly as your health care provider prescribes. The effectiveness of this medicine depends on regular use each day. Do not use more of it or use it more often than prescribed. Do not stop using this medicine or reduce your dosage, even if you feel better. Only your health care provider can tell you when to change your dosage or stop using this medicine.

Carefully read the information sheet that comes in the medicine package.

It may be several weeks before you feel the full effects of this medicine.

Test spray 2 times into the air before using the inhaler for the first time or if you have not used it for more than 7 days.

Wash your hands before using this medicine. If you are not using a spacer, follow these directions:

1. Make sure the canister is firmly inserted into the mouthpiece of the inhaler. Use only the mouthpiece that comes with this medicine.
2. Remove the plastic cap from the mouthpiece. Shake the inhaler well before each use.
3. Hold the inhaler upright so the mouthpiece is at the bottom.
4. Put the mouthpiece into your mouth. Close your lips around the mouthpiece, keeping your tongue below it.
5. Breathe out as fully as you comfortably can.
6. Press the inhaler down once so it releases a spray of medicine into your mouth while you breathe in slowly. (One spray is called a puff.) Each time you press down, a metered (measured) dose is delivered.
7. Continue breathing in as slowly and deeply as possible.
8. Hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as is comfortable (this gives the medicine time to reach the airways).
9. Remove the inhaler from your mouth. Breathe out slowly.
10. If your health care provider has prescribed more than one puff (spray) for each dose, wait one minute between puffs and then repeat steps 1 through 9. Take the number of puffs prescribed by your health care provider.

Rinsing your mouth with water and spitting out the rinse right after you take this medicine may reduce the risk of fungus infection (such as thrush or candidiasis) in your mouth. It may also help reduce dry mouth and hoarseness.

If your health care provider prescribes another inhaler, wait at least 5 minutes between doses of the 2 medicines.

What should I watch out for?

Report any infections to your health care provider.

If your symptoms do not improve in 2 to 4 weeks, or if they get worse, contact your health care provider.

Tell your health care provider right away if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These illnesses may be more serious than usual while you are using this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Rash, infections, rounding (fattening) of the face, white patches in or around your mouth, pounding heartbeat.

Other: Irritated throat, cough, headache, nosebleed.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• insulin or another medicine for diabetes (your dosage may need to be adjusted)
• other inhaled medicines, including nonprescription products.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Keep this medicine at room temperature. Protect the container from heat or flames.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.