Beclometasone Dipropionate

Beclometasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid with topical anti-inflammatory activity. As an aqueous nasal spray it is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis, including hayfever, and vasomotor rhinitis. Applied topically it produces potent anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects. Because it is a corticosteroid, the important part of its label is not the local advice but what can happen beyond the site of application.

Offers

Beconase Aq

Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Polyps

50mcg

Utilised to manage nasal congestion and nasal polyps to alleviate chronic sinus blockage and support open passages.

From$21.25/ inhalerView

Beclometasone Nasal Spray

Allergic Rhinitis

0.025% 30ml

Designed to support allergic airway stabilisation to manage hyperreactive airway responses and alleviate swelling.

From$21.00/ sprayView

Candid B Lotion

Fungal Skin Infections with Inflammation

1% + 0.025% 30ml

Intended to relieve dermal fungal infections to support healthy skin healing and alleviate localised itching.

From$6.80/ bottleView

About

Key points

Systemic effects of nasal corticosteroids may occur, particularly at high doses prescribed for prolonged periods, and the potential effects named include Cushing’s syndrome, adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children and adolescents, cataract and glaucoma.
Growth retardation has been reported in children receiving nasal corticosteroids at licensed doses, and the label recommends that the height of children on prolonged treatment is regularly monitored.
Following intranasal use its absolute bioavailability is about 44%.
It is hydrolysed by esterase enzymes to the active metabolite beclometasone-17-monopropionate, which carries high topical anti-inflammatory activity.

Safety specific to beclometasone dipropionate

Systemic corticosteroid effects. The summary of product characteristics opens its warnings with the point that systemic effects of nasal corticosteroids may occur, particularly at high doses prescribed for prolonged periods. The potential systemic effects it names are Cushing’s syndrome, Cushingoid features, adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children and adolescents, cataract, glaucoma and, more rarely, a range of psychological or behavioural effects including psychomotor hyperactivity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression or aggression, particularly in children. Treatment with higher than recommended doses may result in clinically significant adrenal suppression.

Growth in children. Growth retardation has been reported in children receiving nasal corticosteroids at licensed doses, not only at excessive ones. The label recommends that the height of children receiving prolonged treatment with nasal corticosteroids is regularly monitored, and that if growth is slowed, therapy should be reviewed with the aim of reducing the dose to the lowest that still controls symptoms. That is a monitoring instruction with a specific measurement attached, and it belongs to any child using this medicine over a season rather than a week.

Benzalkonium chloride. Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray contains benzalkonium chloride in each unit dose, which may cause bronchospasm, and which may cause irritation or swelling inside the nose, especially if used for a long period.

Interactions. Beclometasone is less dependent on CYP3A metabolism than some other corticosteroids and interactions are in general unlikely, though the label keeps open the possibility of systemic effects with concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors.

Topical use. A beclometasone dipropionate cream is a separate preparation with its own label, and is not indicated for treating skin lesions infected by fungi or bacteria.

When to seek urgent care

In a child on prolonged treatment, a fall away from an expected growth trajectory is a reason to have therapy reviewed rather than to continue unchanged. New wheeze or breathlessness after a dose, and visual changes such as blurring or eye pain, should be reported promptly.