Beclomethasone (EENT) (Monograph)
Brand name: Beconase AQ
Drug class: Corticosteroids
Introduction
Synthetic corticosteroid.
Uses for Beclomethasone (EENT)
Seasonal and Perennial Rhinitis
Symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial rhinitis.
Generally provides symptomatic relief of watery rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing (including morning sneezing attacks), and nasal and pharyngeal itching.
Generally does not relieve signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis or those involving the lower respiratory tract (e.g., coughing), although improvement in ophthalmic and respiratory manifestations may occur.
Relieves symptoms in both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis, although intranasal route appears to provide greater relief in allergic rhinitis.
Continuous concomitant therapies (e.g., oral or orally inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, antihistamines, decongestants) may be required for optimum symptomatic relief, especially in patients with concurrent asthmatic conditions.
Symptomatic relief is usually evident within several days of initiating continuous intranasal therapy; however, up to 2 weeks may be required for optimum effectiveness.
Nasal Polyposis
Used principally to prevent nasal polyp recurrence after surgical removal.
May delay need for subsequent surgery, but should not preclude polypectomy when polyp size prevents adequate penetration of drug into nasal passages.
May reduce polyp size and the degree of nasal obstruction, but apparently does not alter underlying disease; manifestations usually recur when the drug is discontinued.
Periodically monitor patients receiving prolonged intranasal corticosteroid therapy with rhinoscopic examinations, since risk for atrophic rhinitis is increased.
Beclomethasone (EENT) Dosage and Administration
Administration
Intranasal Inhalation
Administer by nasal inhalation only using a metered-dose nasal spray pump.
Prime spray pump prior to initial use (6 actuations or until a fine spray appears) and after ≥7days of non-use (until a fine spray appears).
Shake spray pump well immediately prior to use.
Avoid contact with the eyes.
Blow nose to clear nasal passages prior to administration. Adequate penetration of the drug may require a topical nasal vasoconstrictor in patients with blocked nasal passages during the first 2–3 days of therapy.
For each inhalation, support the base of the spray bottle with the thumb and place the middle finger and forefinger on the white collar of the bottle. Tilt the head slightly forward, keep the bottle upright, and insert the nasal applicator into one nostril while holding the other nostril closed.
Spray the drug into one nostril by pressing down firmly on the white collar of the bottle and concurrently inhaling gently through the nose, then exhale through the mouth.
Repeat procedure for the other nostril.
To clean nasal applicator, remove dust cap and safety clip and press applicator collar gently upward to free applicator. Wash dust cap and nasal applicator in cold water, then dry and replace applicator, safety clip, and dust cap.
To unblock nasal applicator, remove dust cap, unscrew complete pump mechanism, and soak in warm water for a few minutes. Rinse with cold water, dry, replace on bottle, and reprime the pump.
Dosage
Available as beclomethasone dipropionate monohydrate; dosage expressed in terms of the anhydrous salt.
After initial priming, each actuation of the nasal aqueous suspension spray pump delivers a 100-mg dose of beclomethasone dipropionate suspension equivalent to 42 mcg of anhydrous beclomethasone dipropionate. Each 25-g spray bottle delivers 180 metered doses, after which the correct amount of drug in each spray cannot be assured. Discard the bottle after 180 sprays have been used.
Adjust dosage according to individual requirements and response.
Therapeutic effects of intranasal corticosteroids, unlike those of decongestants, are not immediate.
Use of topical nasal decongestants or oral antihistamines may be necessary until the effects of intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate are fully manifested.
Symptomatic relief is usually evident within several days of continuous therapy; however, up to 2 weeks may be required for relief in some patients.
Do not continue therapy beyond 3 weeks in the absence of substantial symptomatic improvement.
Pediatric Patients
Seasonal Rhinitis
Intranasal Inhalation
Children 6–12 years of age: Initially, 1 spray (42 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168 mcg/day).
Increase dosage to 2 sprays (84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day) if response is inadequate or symptoms are severe.
Reduce dosage to 1 spray in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168 mcg/day) once adequate symptom control is achieved.
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 1 or 2 sprays (42–84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168–336 mcg/day).
Perennial Rhinitis
Intranasal Inhalation
Children 6–12 years of age: Initially, 1 spray (42 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168 mcg/day).
Increase dosage to 2 sprays (84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day) if response is inadequate or symptoms are severe.
Reduce dosage to 1 spray in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168 mcg/day) once adequate symptom control is achieved.
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 1 or 2 sprays (42–84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168–336 mcg/day).
Nasal Polyposis
Intranasal Inhalation
Children 6–12 years of age: Initially, 1 spray (42 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168 mcg/day).
Increase dosage to 2 sprays (84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day) if response is inadequate or symptoms are severe.
Reduce dosage to 1 spray in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168 mcg/day) once adequate symptom control is achieved.
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 1 or 2 sprays (42–84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168–336 mcg/day).
Adults
Seasonal Rhinitis
Intranasal Inhalation
1 or 2 sprays (42–84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168–336 mcg/day).
Perennial Rhinitis
Intranasal Inhalation
1 or 2 sprays (42–84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 168–336 mcg/day).
Nasal Polyposis
Intranasal Inhalation
1 or 2 sprays (42–84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily (total dose: 168–336 mcg/day).
Prescribing Limits
No evidence that higher than recommended dosages or increased frequency of administration is beneficial.
Exceeding the maximum recommended daily dosage may only increase the risk of adverse systemic effects (e.g., HPA-axis suppression, Cushing’s syndrome) and should be avoided.
Pediatric Patients
Seasonal Rhinitis
Intranasal Inhalation
Children 6–12 years of age: Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Perennial Rhinitis
Intranasal Inhalation
Children 6–12 years of age: Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Nasal Polyposis
Intranasal Inhalation
Children 6–12 years of age: Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Adults
Seasonal Rhinitis
Intranasal Inhalation
Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Perennial Rhinitis
Intranasal Inhalation
Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Nasal Polyposis
Intranasal Inhalation
Maximum 84 mcg (2 sprays) in each nostril twice daily (total dosage: 336 mcg/day).
Cautions for Beclomethasone (EENT)
Contraindications
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Known hypersensitivity to beclomethasone or any ingredient in the formulation.
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Do not use in the presence of untreated localized nasal mucosa infections.
Warnings/Precautions
Warnings
Withdrawal of Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy
Patients being switched from prolonged systemic corticosteroids to intranasal therapy should be monitored carefully since corticosteroid withdrawal symptoms (e.g., joint pain, muscular pain, lassitude, depression), acute adrenal insufficiency, and/or severe symptomatic exacerbation of asthma or other clinical conditions may occur.
In patients being switched to intranasal therapy, systemic corticosteroid dosage should be tapered and patients carefully monitored during dosage reduction.
Systemic Corticosteroid Effects
Excessive intranasal dosages or use in patients who are particularly sensitive to corticosteroid effects may cause systemic corticosteroid effects (e.g., menstrual irregularities, acneiform lesions, cataracts, cushingoid features).
Avoid larger than recommended dosages; potential for systemic effects increases with excessive dosage.
If systemic effects occur, therapy with the drug should gradually be withdrawn (tapered).
Immunosuppression
Although risk with intranasal use is unknown, consider the possibility that corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression could occur. Avoid exposure to varicella and measles in previously unexposed patients and those who have not been properly immunized.
If exposure to varicella or measles occurs in such individuals, administration of varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) or immune globulin, respectively, may be indicated. If varicella develops, treatment with an antiviral agent may be considered.
Sensitivity Reactions
Immediate or delayed hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactoid/anaphylactic reactions, urticaria, angioedema, rash, wheezing, and bronchospasm, have occurred rarely.
General Precautions
Nasopharyngeal Effects
Persistent nasopharyngeal irritation may require discontinuance of beclomethasone therapy.
Rarely, nasal septal perforations.
Rarely, localized candidal infections of the nose and/or pharynx. Treat suspected infection with appropriate local therapy; may require discontinuance of beclomethasone therapy.
Avoid use until healing occurs in patients with recurrent epistaxis, recent nasal septal ulcers, nasal surgery, or nasal trauma.
Ophthalmic Effects
Increased intraocular pressure (IOP), glaucoma, cataracts, and conjunctivitis have been reported rarely.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Suppression
Avoid higher than recommended dosages since suppression of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function may occur.
Reductions in plasma cortisol concentrations have occurred when intranasal and orally inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate were used concomitantly.
Cases of growth suppression also have been reported. (See Pediatric Use under Cautions.)
Infection
Use cautiously, if at all, in patients with clinical tuberculosis or asymptomatic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections of the respiratory tract; untreated local or systemic fungal or bacterial infections; systemic viral or parasitic infections; or ocular herpes simplex infections.
Nasal Polyposis
Treatment with beclomethasone should be considered adjunctive to surgical removal and/or use of other drugs that will permit effective penetration of the drug into the nose; polyps may recur after any treatment.
Nasal Mucosal Changes
During long-term intranasal therapy (several months or longer), periodically examine nasal passages for mucosal changes.
Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Category C.
Lactation
Other corticosteroids known to be distributed into milk. Caution if used in nursing women.
Corticosteroids may cause adverse effects (e.g., growth suppression) in nursing infants if distributed into milk.
Pediatric Use
May be a useful therapeutic alternative to oral corticosteroids in children ≥6 years of age with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, since intranasal administration is associated with a decreased risk of adverse systemic effects.
Intranasal corticosteroids, including beclomethasone, may reduce growth velocity in pediatric patients; use lowest effective dosage and monitor growth routinely. In a placebo-controlled, 1-year study, approximately 50% of beclomethasone dipropionate-treated children were below the 10th percentile for growth velocity.
Safety and efficacy not established in children <6 years of age.
Geriatric Use
Insufficient experience in patients ≥65 years of age to determine whether such patients respond differently than younger adults; select dosage with caution due to greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, and/or cardiac function and of concomitant disease and drug therapy observed in geriatric patients.
Common Adverse Effects
Mild nasopharyngeal irritation, sneezing attacks, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, nasal stuffiness, nosebleeds, rhinorrhea, tearing eyes.
Beclomethasone (EENT) Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Bioavailability
Most of an intranasal dose is swallowed.
Systemic bioavailability (as active metabolite) is 44% (43% from swallowed portion, 1% from nasal mucosa).
Distribution
Extent
Moderate distribution, more extensive for active metabolite. Beclomethasone dipropionate and its metabolites are not stored in tissues.
Not known whether beclomethasone crosses the placenta or is distributed into milk; other corticosteroids are distributed into milk.
Plasma Protein Binding
Approximately 87%.
Elimination
Metabolism
Beclomethasone dipropionate is a weakly active prodrug, rapidly hydrolyzed to highly active beclomethasone-17-monopropionate (B-17-MP) by esterase enzymes found in most tissues.
Elimination Route
Excreted mainly as metabolites in feces (60%) and in urine (12%) following oral administration.
Half-life
Not determined following intranasal administration. Terminal half-life averages 0.5 hours (beclomethasone dipropionate) and 2.7 hours (active metabolite) following IV administration.
Stability
Storage
Nasal Suspension
15–30°C.
Discard the nasal pump spray after 180 sprays.
Actions
-
Potent glucocorticoid and weak mineralocorticoid effects.
-
Topical anti-inflammatory potency of beclomethasone dipropionate is about 5000 times greater than hydrocortisone; 500 times greater than beclomethasone, betamethasone, or dexamethasone; and about 5 times greater than fluocinolone or the acetonides of fluocinolone or triamcinolone, as measured by vasoconstrictor assay. Beclomethasone dipropionate is 6–7 times more potent as a glucocorticoid than hydrocortisone when administered orally or subcutaneously.
-
Local anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects following topical application to the nasal mucosa.
-
Reduces number of mediator cells (basophil leukocytes and mast cells) at the epithelial level, number of eosinophils, sensitivity of sensory nerves to mechanical stimuli, secretory response to cholinergic receptor stimulation, and fibroblast activity.
-
May inhibit capillary dilation and permeability, stabilize lysosomal membranes and prevent proteolytic enzyme release.
-
Adrenal suppression has not been observed when beclomethasone dipropionate inhalation aerosol (no longer commercially available in the US) was administered in clinical trials, but decreases in nocturnal cortisol secretion have been reported with usual dosages of beclomethasone oral inhalation in children. (See Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Suppression under Cautions.)
Advice to Patients
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Importance of giving patient a copy of the manufacturer’s patient instructions.
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Importance of instructing patient about proper techniques for assembly and priming of nasal spray pump and for administration and storage of the nasal solution.
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Importance of shaking nasal spray well prior to each use.
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Importance of discarding container after 180 actuations or once the expiration date on the label is reached.
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Avoid spraying into eyes.
-
Importance of advising patient that effects are not immediate; full benefit may require ≤2 weeks of continuous use.
-
Importance of using at regular intervals as directed.
-
Importance of not continuing therapy for longer than 3 weeks in the absence of substantial symptomatic improvement.
-
Importance of informing clinician if symptoms fail to improve or worsen or if sneezing or nasal irritation occurs.
-
Importance of not increasing dosage unless directed by a clinician.
-
Importance of using concomitant nasal vasoconstrictor and/or oral antihistamines for 1–2 weeks if needed until the effects of beclomethasone are optimal.
-
Importance of avoiding exposure to chickenpox or measles if receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids; if exposed, notify a clinician.
-
Importance of patients with severe allergies avoiding exposure to allergens during intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate therapy to prevent the occurrence of severe allergic symptoms in the eyes and/or lower respiratory tract.
-
Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs.
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Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.
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Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)
Additional Information
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided in the accompanying monograph was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. Readers are advised that decisions regarding use of drugs are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and that the information contained in the monograph is provided for informational purposes only. The manufacturer’s labeling should be consulted for more detailed information. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information contained in the monograph is not a substitute for medical care.
Preparations
Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.
Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.
Routes |
Dosage Forms |
Strengths |
Brand Names |
Manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nasal |
Suspension |
equivalent to Beclomethasone Dipropionate 42 mcg/metered dose |
Beconase AQ Nasal Spray (with benzalkonium chloride and phenylethyl alcohol) |
GlaxoSmithKline |
AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2025, Selected Revisions October 1, 2007. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
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