beclomethasone
Brand names: Qvar
Qvar Redihaler is an inhaled medicine that helps control asthma symptoms. It contains a corticosteroid to reduce swelling in your lungs.
What it does
Qvar Redihaler is used to treat asthma and prevent asthma attacks in adults and children 4 years and older.
Common side effects
Mouth infection (oral candidiasis), Upper respiratory infection, Runny nose and sore throat (nasopharyngitis)
Key warnings
Qvar Redihaler should not be used if you are having a severe asthma attack.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Use Qvar Redihaler exactly as your doctor tells you. Inhale the medicine through your mouth. After each dose, rinse your mouth with water and spit it out. Do not use a spacer with this inhaler.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store Qvar Redihaler at room temperature, away from heat and direct sunlight. Keep the inhaler clean and dry. Never wash or put any part of the inhaler in water.
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone, prednisone and prednisolone (for which PK and/or PD are less affected by strong CYP3A inhibitors relative to other steroids) should be considered, particularly for long term use.
Mechanism: Darunavir can slow down how your body gets rid of beclomethasone, though this effect is smaller than with other similar steroids.
What to do: This is a safer steroid choice when taking darunavir, but your doctor should still watch for side effects during long-term use.
Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone, prednisone, and prednisolone should be considered.
Mechanism: Ritonavir can cause problems with many steroids, but beclomethasone is suggested as a safer alternative that is less likely to be affected.
What to do: Talk to your doctor about using beclomethasone as a preferred steroid option while you are taking this medication.
Common Questions
How do I know when my inhaler is empty?
Do I need to shake the inhaler before using it?
Can I use a spacer with Qvar Redihaler?
What should I do if I get a mouth infection?
Can Qvar Redihaler cause problems with my bones?
Can Qvar Redihaler affect my vision?
What is the dose for children?
What is the dose for adults?
What happens if I use too much Qvar Redihaler?
When should I call my doctor?
What are the common side effects of beclomethasone?
Does beclomethasone interact with other medications?
What drug class is beclomethasone?
Is beclomethasone safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Inhaled Corticosteroid
Other drugs grouped near beclomethasone — same-class peers and common alternatives.
aclidinium
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benzonatate
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What the FDA Data Shows for beclomethasone
The FDA label for beclomethasone (sold under brand names such as Qvar) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Inhaled Corticosteroid class. Qvar Redihaler is used to treat asthma and prevent asthma attacks in adults and children 4 years and older. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Mouth infection (oral candidiasis), Upper respiratory infection, Runny nose and sore throat (nasopharyngitis).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. Voluntary reports accumulate over the lifetime of a drug and reflect wide-ranging clinical use. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: September 20, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages