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Beclomethasone Dipropionate - Learn about Beclomethasone Dipropionate Side Effects and Precautions

Beclomethasone Dipropionate Information

The pharmacology action of Beclomethasone Dipropionate is that it has potent anti-inflammatory effect on respiratory tract and in nasal passages.

Beclomethasone Dipropionate is used in maintenance prophylactic treatment of asthma in patients 5 yr and older; asthma patients requiring systemic corticosteroid administration in which adding an inhaled corticosteroid may reduce or eliminate need for systemic corticosteroids.

Interaction and Contraindication of Beclomethasone Dipropionate

Interaction of Beclomethasone Dipropionate - No data available

Contraindication of Beclomethasone Dipropionate - Primary treatment of status asthmaticus or acute episodes of asthma; systemic fungal infections; positive sputum cultures of Candida albicans or Aspergillus niger .

Side Effects of Beclomethasone Dipropionate

Here are the list of some common side effects of Beclomethasone Dipropionate :

• Headache; lightheadedness; agitation; depression; mental disturbances
• Nasal bleeding; sneezing; throat and nasal irritation, burning, or stinging; hoarseness or dysphonia; nasal, laryngeal, or pharyngeal fungal infection.
• Dry mouth; dyspepsia; nausea; vomiting
• Hypersensitivity reaction with rash, urticaria, angioedema, and bronchospasm; facial and tongue edema; pruritus; wheezing; dyspnea; acneiform lesions; atrophy; bruising; localized Candida or Aspergillus infections; cushingoid features; growth velocity reduction in children; weight gain.
• Increased asthma symptoms, oral symptoms (inhalation route), pain, back pain, dysphonia (at least 3%).

Precaution and Warning while taking Beclomethasone Dipropionate

The precaution and warnings of Beclomethasone Dipropionate drug is as follows:

• Advise patient to read the Patient's Instructions before starting therapy and again with each refill.
• Warn patient that drug is an asthma controller and is not to be used to treat an acute asthma attack. Patient must use rescue medication (bronchodilator) to obtain rapid relief of asthma symptoms.
• Instruct patient to carry Medi-Alert card if experiencing acute, severe asthma attacks requiring rapid systemic treatment.
• Advise patient to continue taking other medications for asthma as prescribed by health care provider.
• Review proper administration technique. Have patient demonstrate technique.
• Advise patient to rinse mouth with water after inhalations are complete. Instruct patient to spit rinse water out and not to swallow it.
• Advise patient to report the following symptoms to health care provider: sore throat or mouth, cough, dry mouth, rash, facial swelling, worsening asthma symptoms (increasing need for bronchodilator).
• Advise patient that dose may be changed periodically depending on how well symptoms are controlled.
• Instruct patient not to exceed prescribed dose.
• Explain that effects of drug are not immediate. Benefit requires daily use as instructed and usually occurs after 1 to 2 days, but full relief may take 1 to 2 wk.
• Instruct patient not to stop the medication once symptoms have been controlled. Continued daily use is necessary to control symptoms.
• Advise patient not to increase dose on own and to inform health care provider if symptoms do not improve or worsen.
• If patient is being converted from oral corticosteroids to inhaled corticosteroids, review signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, which may occur days or weeks after conversion is complete. Advise patient to carry Medi-Alert card indicating that supplemental systemic corticosteroids during periods of stress or a severe asthma attack may be needed.
• Advise patient to discard the aerosol canister when the labeled number of doses have been used.
• Advise patient to avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles and to seek medical advice immediately if exposed.
• Advise women to notify health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Caution patient not to take any prescription or OTC medications or dietary supplements unless advised by health care provider.

How to store Beclomethasone Dipropionate

• May be administered alone or in combination with systemic corticosteroids.
• For oral inhalation only. Avoid spraying into the nose or eyes.
• If patient is also receiving bronchodilators by inhalation, administer bronchodilator 5 min before beclomethasone to enhance penetration of latter drug into bronchial tree.
• Aerosol does not need to be shaken before use.
• Test aerosol by spraying 2 times into the air before using the first time and/or when the inhaler has not been used for more than 10 days.
• Have patient place inhaler in mouth and close lips around mouthpiece, keeping tongue below mouthpiece. Tilt patient's head back slightly. Instruct patient to take a slow, deep breath while inhaler is being activated and to hold breath for 5 to 10 sec and then breathe out slowly. A spacing device (eg, Aerochamber ) may be used to enhance delivery of medication. Have patient rinse mouth after inhalations are complete.
• If more than 1 spray/dose is ordered, administer each spray individually, waiting a few seconds between sprays.
• Store at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F) on the concave end of the canister with the plastic actuator on top. For optimal results, canister should be at room temperature when used. Do not use actuator with any other inhalation drug product.
• Do not puncture canister or use near heat or open flame or discard into fire or incinerator.