Beclometasone
Beclometasone
Chemical compound
Beclometasone or beclomethasone, also known as beclomethasone dipropionate, and sold under the brand name Qvar among others, is a steroid medication.[1] It is available as an inhaler, cream, pills, and nasal spray.[2] The inhaled form is used in the long-term management of asthma.[1] The cream may be used for dermatitis and psoriasis.[3] The pills have been used to treat ulcerative colitis.[4] The nasal spray is used to treat allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps.[5]
Common side effects with the inhaled form include respiratory infections, headaches, and throat inflammation.[1] Serious side effects include an increased risk of infection, cataracts, Cushing's syndrome, and severe allergic reactions.[1] Long-term use of the pill form may cause adrenal insufficiency.[4] The pills may also cause mood or personality changes.[4] The inhaled form is generally regarded as safe in pregnancy.[6] Beclometasone is mainly a glucocorticoid.[1]
Beclomethasone dipropionate was first patented in 1962 and used medically in 1972.[7] It was approved for medical use in the United States in 1976.[1] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8] In 2021, it was the 268th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.[9][10]