Beclomethasone Intranasal

Beclomethasone intranasal is a prescription medication used for the relief of the symptoms of seasonal or perennial allergic and nonallergic (vasomotor) rhinitis.

• Beclomethasone intranasal is available under the following different brand names: Beconase AQ, QNASL 

Common side effects of Beclomethasone intranasal include:

• Discomfort or irritation inside the nose,
• Sneezing,
• Runny or stuffy nose,
• Nosebleed,
• Fever,
• Sore throat,
• Headache,
• Nausea, and
• Unpleasant taste or smell

Serious side effects of Beclomethasone intranasal include:

• wheezing.
• hives.
• rash.
• itching.
• difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• swollen face, lower legs, or ankles.
• vision changes.

Rare side effects of Beclomethasone intranasal include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

• Metered-dose nasal spray suspension
  • 42 mcg/actuation (Beconase AQ)
• Metered-dose nasal spray solution.
  • 80 mcg/actuation (QNASL)

Allergic Rhinitis

Adult dosage

• Beconase AQ: 1-2 sprays/nostril twice daily (total daily dose: 168-336 mcg/day)
• QNASL: 2 sprays/nostril once a day (total daily dose: 320 mcg/day)

Pediatric dosage

Beconase AQ

• Children below 6 years: Safety and efficacy not established.
• Children aged 6-11 years: 1 spray/nostril twice daily (168 mcg/day); may increase to 2 sprays/nostril (336 mcg/day) in patients not adequately responding or those with more severe symptoms; decrease dose to 1 spray/nostril twice daily once adequate control achieved.
• Children aged 12 years: As in adults; 1-2 sprays/nostril twice daily (total dose: 168-336 mcg/day)

QNASL

• Children under 4 years: Safety and efficacy not established.
• Children aged 4-11 years: 1 spray (40 mcg/actuation) on each nostril once a day (total dose: 80 mcg/day)
• Children aged 12 years and above: As in adults; 2 sprays (80 mcg/actuation) on each nostril once a day (total dose: 320 mcg/day)

Nasal Polyps (Postsurgical Prophylaxis)/ Vasomotor Rhinitis

Adult dosage

• Beconase AQ: 1-2 sprays/nostril twice daily (total daily dose: 168-336 mcg/day)

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Beclomethasone intranasal has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Beclomethasone intranasal has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Beclomethasone intranasal has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Beclomethasone intranasal has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice or health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Used as primary treatment of status asthmaticus or acute episodes of asthma where intensive measures are required.

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Beclomethasone Intranasal?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Beclomethasone Intranasal?”

Cautions

• Monitor for vision change, or with a history of increased IOP, glaucoma, or cataracts; consider referral to an ophthalmologist in patients who develop ocular symptoms.
• Recent nasal surgery, nasal trauma, nasal septum ulcers (until healing has occurred)
• Potential worsening of existing tuberculosis, fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, or ocular herpes simplex
• More serious or fatal course of chickenpox or measles in susceptible patients
• Risk for hypercorticism and adrenal suppression with higher-than-normal doses
• Potential reduction of growth velocity in children
• Prolonged corticosteroid use may result in elevated IOP, glaucoma, and/or cataracts.
• Nasal septal perforation and localized Candida albicans infections of the nose and/or pharynx may occur.
• Nasal discomfort, epistaxis, and nasal ulceration were reported.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Unknown whether distributed in breast milk; use caution.