Pronunciation: be-kloe-METH-a-sone
Generic Name: Beclomethasone
Brand Name: Qvar
Qvar Aerosol Solution is used for:
Treating asthma. Qvar Aerosol Solution is also used to prevent asthma attacks. It will not stop an asthma attack once one has started. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Qvar Aerosol Solution is a corticosteroid. It works by decreasing inflammation in the airways, which helps to prevent asthma symptoms.
Do NOT use Qvar Aerosol Solution if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Qvar Aerosol Solution
- you are having an asthma attack
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Qvar Aerosol Solution:
Some medical conditions may interact with Qvar Aerosol Solution. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have an infection or illness, diarrhea, a herpes infection near the eye, cataracts, or glaucoma
- if you have tuberculosis (TB), measles, chickenpox, or had a positive TB skin test
- if you have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine
- if you have had recent surgery or injury
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Qvar Aerosol Solution. However, no specific interactions are known at this time.
Ask your health care provider if Qvar Aerosol Solution may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Qvar Aerosol Solution:
Use Qvar Aerosol Solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Before using Qvar Aerosol Solution, be sure that the canister is properly placed in the inhaler unit.
- Each time a new inhaler is used, turn the canister away from the face and press down into the mouthpiece to release test sprays into the air. This process is called priming and will allow you to be sure the inhaler is working properly and will provide a full dose of medicine.
- Breathe out slowly and completely. Place the mouthpiece between your lips and try to rest your tongue flat, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. Your doctor may have told you to hold the inhaler 1 or 2 inches (2 or 3 centimeters) away from the open mouth or to use a special spacing device. As you start to take a slow deep breath, press the canister and mouthpiece together at exactly the same time. This will release a dose of Qvar Aerosol Solution. Continue breathing in slowly and deeply and hold for as long as comfortable, then breathe out slowly through pursed lips or your nose. If more than 1 inhalation is to be used, wait a few minutes and repeat the above steps. Keep the spray away from your eyes.
- Rinse your mouth or gargle with water after using Qvar Aerosol Solution to prevent mouth sores or bad taste.
- Keep track of the number of sprays you use and subtract this number from the number of doses in the container. This will help you know when the container is becoming empty.
- If you miss a dose of Qvar Aerosol Solution, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Qvar Aerosol Solution.
Important safety information:
- Qvar Aerosol Solution will not stop an asthma attack once one has started. If you are also using a bronchodilator inhaler, be sure to always carry the bronchodilator inhaler with you to use during asthma attacks.
- It may take several weeks for Qvar Aerosol Solution to give full benefit. Continue to use it as directed during this time. If your symptoms do not get better after regular use or if your asthma gets worse, check with your doctor.
- Avoid spraying Qvar Aerosol Solution in the eyes.
- Use caution if you switch from an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) to Qvar Aerosol Solution. It may take several months for your body to make enough natural steroids to handle events that cause physical stress. Such events may include injury, surgery, infection, loss of blood electrolytes, or a sudden asthma attack. These may be severe and sometimes fatal. Contact your doctor right away if any of these events occur. You may need to take an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) again. Carry a card at all times that says you may need an oral steroid (eg, prednisone) if any of these events occur.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Qvar Aerosol Solution before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- If you have not had chickenpox, shingles, or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does.
- Some patients may have trouble using Qvar Aerosol Solution correctly. Some may also get mouth sores or a bad taste in the mouth after using it. If you have any of these problems, ask your health care provider if a spacing device may help.
- Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use Qvar Aerosol Solution.
- Qvar Aerosol Solution should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 5 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Qvar Aerosol Solution while you are pregnant. It is not known if Qvar Aerosol Solution is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Qvar Aerosol Solution, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
If you stop taking Qvar Aerosol Solution suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include joint or muscle pain, exhaustion, or depression may occur when you stop taking Qvar Aerosol Solution. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions for stopping the use of Qvar Aerosol Solution.
Possible side effects of Qvar Aerosol Solution:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; headache; dry mouth; hoarseness; nausea; runny nose; throat irritation; upper respiratory tract infection.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; severe dizziness; sudden weight loss; unusual weakness; vomiting; white curd-like patches in the mouth.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Qvar side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Qvar Aerosol Solution:
Store Qvar Aerosol Solution at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not puncture, break, or burn the canister even if it appears to be empty. Do not use or store near heat or open flames. Never throw the container into a fire. Contents are under pressure. Do not expose to temperatures above 120 degrees F (40 degrees C). Keep Qvar Aerosol Solution out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Qvar Aerosol Solution, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Qvar Aerosol Solution is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Qvar Aerosol Solution. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Qvar resources
- Qvar Side Effects (in more detail)
- Qvar Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Qvar Drug Interactions
- Qvar Support Group
- 3 Reviews for Qvar - Add your own review/rating
Compare Qvar with other medications
- Asthma, Maintenance
- Bronchitis
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