beclomethasone vs ciclesonide
Side-by-side comparison of beclomethasone and ciclesonide Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Qvar
Alvesco
Qvar Redihaler is an inhaled medicine that helps control asthma symptoms. It contains a corticosteroid to reduce swelling in your lungs.
Omnaris Nasal Spray is a medicine that helps treat nasal allergy symptoms. It contains a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation in your nose.
Qvar Redihaler is used to treat asthma and prevent asthma attacks in adults and children 4 years and older. It is a long-term control medicine, meaning you must use it regularly to see the benefits. It will not help relieve sudden asthma symptoms.
Omnaris Nasal Spray treats nasal symptoms from seasonal allergies in adults and kids 6 years and older. It also treats year-round allergy symptoms in adults and teens 12 years and older. It helps relieve stuffy nose, runny nose, and sneezing.
Qvar Redihaler contains beclomethasone, a type of corticosteroid. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the airways. This makes it easier to breathe and helps prevent asthma symptoms.
Omnaris contains ciclesonide, a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammation in your nasal passages. This helps to relieve allergy symptoms like congestion and runny nose.
- • Mouth infection (oral candidiasis)
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Runny nose and sore throat (nasopharyngitis)
- • Allergic rhinitis
- • Mouth and throat pain
- • Headache
- • Nosebleeds
- • Common cold
- • Ear pain
- • Throat pain
No adverse event reports.
- Asthma 5,711
- Shortness of breath 4,479
- Wheezing 3,589
- Medicine not fully working 2,550
- Cough 2,484
Qvar Redihaler should not be used if you are having a severe asthma attack. It will not help you breathe right away. If your asthma gets worse, contact your doctor right away. Some people may have allergic reactions or weakened immune systems.
Omnaris may cause nosebleeds or Candida (fungal) infections in the nose. It could cause a hole in the nasal septum, or slow wound healing. It may also increase the risk of glaucoma or cataracts. Tell your doctor if you have vision changes or a history of eye problems. Omnaris may worsen existing infections like tuberculosis, herpes, or chickenpox. High doses can cause hormone and adrenal problems. It may slow down growth in children, so growth should be monitored.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Qvar Redihaler will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine during pregnancy.
There is not enough information about Omnaris use in pregnant women. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Omnaris passes into breast milk.
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How to Read This beclomethasone vs ciclesonide Comparison
beclomethasone is classified in the Inhaled Corticosteroid drug class, while ciclesonide sits within the Inhaled Corticosteroid class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, beclomethasone has 0 submissions while ciclesonide has 18,813. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between beclomethasone and ciclesonide — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.