beclomethasone nasal

Pronunciation:	beh kloe MEH tha sone
Brand:	Beconase AQ, Vancenase AQ

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

Do not use more of this medication than is prescribed. Overuse of the medication may cause serious side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.

Use beclomethasone nasal on a regular basis for best results. It may take several weeks to get the maximum effect of this medication.

What is beclomethasone nasal?

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

Beclomethasone nasal is used to treat the nasal symptoms of allergies and other seasonal reactions. Beclomethasone nasal is also used to prevent the recurrence of nasal polyps following their surgical removal.

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

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

Before using beclomethasone nasal, tell your doctor if you have a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection of any kind. The absorption of this drug into your system can inhibit the body's ability to fight off infections. You may not be able to use beclomethasone nasal if you have an infection.

Beclomethasone nasal is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether beclomethasone nasal will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether beclomethasone passes into breast milk. Do not use beclomethasone nasal without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Beclomethasone nasal is not approved for use by children younger than 6 years of age.

How should I use beclomethasone nasal?

Use beclomethasone nasal spray exactly as directed by your doctor. Read the information insert included with the medication. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

If your nose is congested, try to clear it before using the medication to be sure that the medicine gets into the nasal passages. If you are also using a decongestant spray, use it to open up the nasal passages before using beclomethasone nasal. However, do not use a decongestant spray unless your doctor directs you to do so.

To use the beclomethasone nasal inhaler (Beconase Inhalation Aerosol, Vancenase Nasal Inhaler, or Vancenase Pockethaler):

Shake the medication well before each dose.
Snap open the cover of the actuator (Beconase) or remove the cap (Vancenase Nasal Inhaler or Vancenase Pockethaler). Tilt your head back and carefully insert the nasal piece on the actuator into one nostril and close the other nostril with one finger. While gently breathing in through the nostril, press down on the top of the canister to release the medication then breathe out through your mouth. If your doctor has prescribed more than one spray in each nostril, repeat this process. Then, shake the inhaler again and repeat this process in the other nostril. Replace the cover on the actuator.
To clean your nasal inhaler, remove the canister from the plastic unit and rinse the actuator and cap in warm running water once a day. Dry well and insert the canister back into the plastic unit.

To use the beclomethasone nasal spray (Beconase AQ, Vancenase AQ and Vancenase AQ Double Strength):

Shake the medication well before each dose.
Remove the safety clip and the plastic dust cap from the nasal applicator. The very first time the spray is used, prime the pump into the air by pressing downward on the white collar, using your forefinger and middle finger while supporting the base of the bottle with your thumb. Press down and release the pump three to six times until a fine spray appears. The Beconase AQ nasal spray will need to be reprimed when using the spray for the first time each day. The Vancenase AQ and Vancenase AQ Double Strength nasal sprays will need to be reprimed if the pump is not used for more than 4 days. To reprime the unit, spray once or until a fine spray appears.
Gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils. Close one nostril. Tilt your head forward slightly and, keeping the bottle upright, carefully insert the nasal applicator into the other nostril. For each spray, press firmly downward once on the white collar, using your forefinger and middle finger while supporting the base of the bottle with your thumb. Breathe gently inward through the nostril. Then breathe out through your mouth. If your doctor has prescribed more than one spray in each nostril, repeat this process. Then, repeat this process in the other nostril. Replace the plastic dust cap and safety clip.
To clean the nasal applicator, remove the dust cap and safety clip and then press gently upward on the white collar to free the nasal applicator. Wash the applicator and dust cap with cold water. Dry and replace the plastic dust cap and safety clip. If the nasal applicator becomes blocked, remove the dust cap, unscrew the complete pump mechanism, and soak the pump in warm water for a few minutes. Rinse with cold water, dry, refit the pump mechanism to the bottle, and reprime the pump.

Use beclomethasone nasal on a regular basis for best results. It may take several weeks to get the maximum effect of this medication.

Do not use more of this medication than is prescribed. Overuse of the medication may cause serious side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.

Store beclomethasone nasal at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Beclomethasone is less effective when it is cold, so do not store it in the refrigerator.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of this medication is not likely to occur. If you do think that an overdose has occurred, call an emergency room or poison control center .

What should I avoid while using beclomethasone nasal?

Avoid items or activities that are known allergens or that make your symptoms worse. Clean areas where dust or pet fur may aggravate your condition.

Avoid exposing yourself to known sources of infection. Stay away from people with chicken pox, measles, or any other type of infection. Your immune system may not be strong enough to fight off an infection while using beclomethasone nasal.

What are the possible side effects of beclomethasone nasal?

Serious side effects from beclomethasone nasal are not likely to occur. Stop using beclomethasone nasal and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use beclomethasone nasal and talk to your doctor if you experience

stinging or burning of the nose;
sneezing after application;
yeast infection in the nose or throat (white patches);
bleeding nose;
perforated septum (inside center of nose);
increased pressure in the eyes, glaucoma, or tearing of the eyes;
headache or lightheadedness;
nausea;
nasal stuffiness or a runny nose;
unpleasant (or loss of) taste or smell; or
decreased growth rate in children (with prolonged use).

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 nasal?

Do not use other nasal medicines at the same time as a beclomethasone nasal unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Before using beclomethasone nasal, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other steroid medications you are taking. The use of other steroid medications may increase the chance of side effects or overdose.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with beclomethasone nasal. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about beclomethasone nasal written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Beclomethasone nasal is available with a prescription under the brand names Beconase and Vancenase. 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.

Beconase 6.7 grams (80 doses)--beige plastic actuator
Beconase 16.8 grams (200 doses)--beige plastic actuator
Beconase AQ 0.042% (25 grams)--glass, amber-colored bottle
Vancenase Pockethaler 7 grams--clear sleeve, white nasal adapter with a maroon cap
Vancenase AQ 0.042% (25 grams)--white plastic bottle with a yellow safety clip and a maroon dust cap
Vancenase AQ 0.084% (19 grams)--white plastic bottle with a maroon safety clip and a white dust cap

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.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.04. Revision date: 8/10/05.

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