Brand Name (s): Beclovent, Beconase AQ Nasal Spray, Beconase Inhalation Aerosol, Qvar Inhalation Aerosol, Vancenase AQ Nasal Spray and Double Strength Nasal Spray, Vancenase Nasal Inhaler and PocketHaler Nasal Inhaler, Vanceril Inhalation Aerosol and Double Strength Inhalation Aerosol, Vanceril Inhaler

Beclotide. Common Uses.

This medicine is a corticosteroid used to treat asthma. This medicine is also used to prevent asthma attacks. IT WILL NOT STOP an asthma attack once one has started. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Beclotide. How to Take.

Beclotide is prescribed in an oral inhalant or a nasal spray form. Use Beclotide only as preventive therapy, and take only the dose prescribed.

Although some people begin to notice improvement within a day or two, it may take 1 or 2 weeks for the full benefits to appear. If there's no improvement after 3 weeks, let your doctor know.

If you are already taking a steroid in tablet form for asthma, you'll need to make a gradual transition to the oral inhalant. During the first week, you'll probably take the usual number of tablets. After that, you'll be instructed to slowly reduce the number of tablets, replacing them with the inhalant.

Be sure to take the drug regularly, even if you have no symptoms. Many people will require additional drugs to control asthma symptoms fully, but Beclomethasone may allow other drugs to be used in smaller doses.

If you are also using a bronchodilator inhalant, take it before inhaling beclomethasone. This will improve the effect of the second drug. Take the two inhalations several minutes apart.

Spray the inhalation aerosol into the air twice before you use it for the first time and when you have not used it for more than 7 days. Use it within 6 months.

Before you use Vancenase AQ 84 microgram nasal spray, press the pump 6 times or until you see a fine spray. If you don't use it for more than 4 days, reprime the pump by spraying once or until a fine spray appears.

To use the inhaler:

1. Remove the cap and hold inhaler upright.
2. Shake the inhaler thoroughly.
3. Take a drink of water to moisten the throat.
4. Breathe out as fully as you comfortably can. Hold the inhaler upright and close your lips around the mouthpiece, keeping your tongue below it.
5. While pressing down on the can, inhale deeply. Hold your breath as long as you can.
6. Take your finger off the can, remove the inhaler, and breathe out gently.
7. Allow at least 1 minute between inhalations.

Gargling and rinsing your mouth with water after each dose may help prevent hoarseness and throat irritation. Do not swallow the water after you rinse.

Be careful to avoid spraying Beclomethasone into your eyes. This medication comes with directions. Read them carefully before using it.

Becotide. Warning and Precautions.

This medicine is known as a preventer and it should be taken regularly to prevent asthma attacks. It should not be used to relieve an asthma attack, as it will not work for this purpose. An asthma attack needs to be treated with a medicine that quickly opens the airways, such as salbutamol or terbutaline. These are known as relievers, and you should make sure you carry your reliever inhaler with you at all times to relieve an asthma attack if it happens. Consult your doctor if you need to use your reliever more frequently than normal, or if it becomes less effective at treating attacks, as this may indicate that your asthma is getting worse and your doctor may need to prescribe you another medicine.

Do not exceed the dose of this medicine that your doctor has prescribed for you.

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise, as your asthma symptoms are likely to return.

Inhalers may cause an unexpected increase in wheezing and difficulty breathing (paradoxical bronchospasm) straight after using them. If this happens, don't use the inhaler again, use your reliever inhaler to open your airways and consult your doctor immediately.

Inhaled corticosteroids can sometimes cause a fungal infection in the mouth called oral thrush. To minimise the chances of this you should rinse your mouth with water or clean your teeth after inhaling each dose. Using a spacer device can also help avoid this problem.

Inhaled corticosteroids have considerably fewer side effects than steroids taken by mouth. However, when taken for long periods of time at high doses, inhaled steroids do have the potential to cause side effects such as glaucoma, cataracts, thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), slowed growth in children and adolescents, and to suppress the functioning of the adrenal glands (glands that produce natural steroid hormones). For this reason your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose to control your symptoms, and monitor for these side effects. Do not exceed the dose of this medicine that your doctor has prescribed for you. It is recommended that children receiving long-term treatment with corticosteroids have their growth monitored. If a child's growth appears to be slowed your doctor may refer them to a paediatrician. For further information talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

People with severe asthma should have regular blood tests to monitor the amount of potassium in their blood. This is because low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia) and various asthma medicines can lower blood potassium levels.

Becotide. Missed Dose.

Take it as soon as you remember and take the remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. If it is time for your next dose, skip the one you missed. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

Becotide. Overdose.

An overdose of this medication is not likely to be harmful. If an overdose has occurred, contact an emergency room or poison control left for advice.

Becotide. Storage.

Store at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and cold. Do not puncture the container, store it near open flame, or dispose of it in a fire or incinerator.

Becotide. Possible Side Effects.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect:

• Yeast infection of the mouth (oral thrush)
• Throat irritation
• Hoarseness
• Cough (if this inhaler makes you cough, using your reliever inhaler before using this one may help)
• Unexpected narrowing of the airways (paradoxical bronchospasm)
• Systemic effects (eg, Cushing's syndrome, adrenal suppression, slowed growth in children and adolescents, decreased bone mineral density, cataract and glaucoma) may occur after high doses for prolonged periods.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information about Becotide.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Beclometasone may potentially decrease the amount of potassium in the blood. If it is taken in combination with any of the following medicines, which can also lower potassium in the blood, the risk of a low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia) is increased:

• xanthine derivates, such as theophylline or aminophylline
• oral corticosteroids, such as prednisolone
• beta 2 agonists, such as salbutamol, salmeterol
• diuretics, such as bendroflumethiazide and furosemide.

A low blood potassium level can have serious effects, which is why people with severe asthma, who may be taking several of these medicines, should have their blood potassium level monitored regularly.

Disclaimer.

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information . It is not containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.