Two medicines, side by side
Beclomethasone vs fluticasone
Beclomethasone and fluticasone are both labeled for asthma and allergies. Drugs@FDA records approvals of beclomethasone since 1976 and of fluticasone since 1990. Pharmacies paid $30.23 per gram (Qnasl 80 mcg nasal spray) and $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the beclomethasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 25, 2024); the fluticasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 19, 2024).
Highlights of the beclomethasone record
Beclomethasone (Qvar) · label of June 25, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsQVAR REDIHALER is indicated in the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. Limitations of Use: QVAR REDIHALER is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. QVAR REDIHALER is a corticosteroid indicated for maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 12, 1976
- Generic labelers
- 2 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $30.23 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the fluticasone record
Fluticasone (Flonase) · label of December 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves these symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: • nasal congestion • itchy nose • runny nose • itchy, watery eyes • sneezing
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 14, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 71 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.243 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Beclomethasone label of June 25, 2024, Fluticasone label of December 19, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do beclomethasone and fluticasone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: beclomethasone since 2025; fluticasone since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
| Beclomethasone | Fluticasone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Asthma, Allergies | Allergies, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 12, 1976 | December 14, 1990 |
| First generic approved | December 16, 2025 | May 14, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 2 labelers | 71 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $30.23 per gram (Qnasl 80 mcg nasal spray) | $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | -0.1% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 5,600 | 139,949 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to beclomethasone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions