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Vanceril

Generic Name: beclomethasone inhalation (be kloe METH a sone)
Brand Names: Beclovent, Qvar, Vanceril, Vanceril DS

What is beclomethasone inhalation?

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

Beclomethasone inhalation is used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Beclomethasone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about beclomethasone inhalation?

Contact your doctor if your asthma symptoms do not improve after using beclomethasone inhalation for 2 weeks.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using beclomethasone inhalation?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have been sick or had an infection of any kind (especially tuberculosis). You may not be able to use beclomethasone inhalation until you are well.

Beclomethasone can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about your risk of osteoporosis.

How should I use beclomethasone inhalation?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

To reduce the chance of developing a yeast infection in your mouth, rinse with water after using beclomethasone inhalation. Do not swallow.

Asthma is usually treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

It is important to use beclomethasone inhalation regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Contact your doctor if your asthma symptoms do not improve after using beclomethasone inhalation for 2 weeks.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of beclomethasone inhalation is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while using beclomethasone inhalation?

Beclomethasone inhalation can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Contact your doctor if you have been exposed to someone with measles or chicken pox.

Beclomethasone inhalation side effects

• weakness, tired feeling, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss;

• wheezing or breathing problems after using this medication;

• skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

• changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist);

• worsening asthma symptoms.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• headache;

• dryness in your mouth, nose, or throat;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, cough; or

• hoarseness or deepened voice.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect beclomethasone inhalation?

If you are also using a bronchodilator (a drug that opens the airways to improve breathing), use it first before using the beclomethasone inhaler. This will allow more beclomethasone to reach your lungs. Bronchodilators include albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin), pirbuterol (Maxair), bitolterol (Tornalate), and others.

There may be other drugs that can affect beclomethasone inhalation. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about beclomethasone inhalation written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Beclomethasone inhalation is available with a prescription under the brand names Beclovent, Vanceril, and Qvar. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.