Beconase AQ
Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) is a corticosteroid medication used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies. In addition, Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) can be used to prevent nasal polyps from regrowing after surgical removal.
What is Beconase AQ (beclomethasone)?
What is Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) used for?
- Seasonal allergies
- Year-round allergies
- Non-allergic stuffy nose
- Prevention of nasal polyp recurrence after surgery
How Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) works
Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) is a nasal corticosteroid that works directly in your nose to help reduce swelling and inflammation caused by allergies.
Drug facts
Side effects of Beconase AQ (beclomethasone)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nasal irritation (24%)
- Sneezing attacks (4%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Nasal stuffiness
- Nosebleeds
The following Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Chills
dizziness
fast heartbeat
lightheadedness
rapid, shallow breathing
rash
unusual bleeding or bruising
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Beconase AQ (beclomethasone)
Pros
- Symptomatic relief can occur as soon as 3 days
- Can be used by children as young as 6 years old
- Since it's used directly where the inflammation is happening, Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) has fewer side effects compared to oral steroids
- Doesn't make you drowsy or dizzy, compared to allergy relief pills
- Can be used to treat long-term build-up of mucus in the throat that comes from the nose
Cons
- Must be used daily to work instead of on an as-needed basis
- Doesn't have a dose counter to help you keep track of the number of sprays left in the bottle
- Unlike allergy relief pills, Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) only helps to treat nasal symptoms
- Can cause wounds to heal slower, so may not be a good choice if you've recently had surgery on your nose. If you've had recent nose surgery, discuss with your surgeon if this medication is right for you.
- Only available as an expensive brand name product
- If Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) is not used for 7 days, you must prime it again
Pharmacist tips for Beconase AQ (beclomethasone)
- Works best if used regularly during the recommended times. Some symptoms may get better within 3 days of treatment, but it may take up to 2 weeks of regular use for full effects.
- Blow your nose before using, but wait 15 minutes after using Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) before blowing your nose.
- If it's a brand new bottle or if you haven't used it in more than 7 days, prime the spray pump 6 times or until you see a fine mist.
- Follow instructions on how to use and clean the spray. Make sure to spray into the nostril and not onto the wall joining the 2 nostrils.
- Stop using and contact your doctor if you have bad nose irritations or nosebleeds, hear a whistling sound from your nose, or have a fungal infection (thrush) inside your mouth or throat.
- Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) doesn't come with a spray counter. Discard the bottle after 180 sprays have been used even if the bottle is not completely empty. Your doctor or pharmacist may also give you a particular date to throw the bottle away.
Common questions about Beconase AQ
Beconase AQ can cause a so-called “nasal spray addiction” in some people. This often occurs when a person uses the decongestant nasal spray too frequently or for too long. This is considered rebound congestion and not an addiction.
If you're using Beconase AQ correctly, the medication should not drip from your nose or down the back of your throat. It may leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth. A drink of water or juice should help eliminate the after taste. Never use your Beconase AQ after the expiration date on the bottle.
In rare cases, Beconase AQ can weaken your immune system and put you at higher risk for getting infections more easily. This is especially true if you use this medication for long-term and at high doses. Talk to your provider or pharmacist before making any changes to your usage.
There are not enough studies for this medication to know whether it is fully safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your provider to decide which medication may be right for you.
This medication starts working within 3 days for some people, but it can take up to 2 weeks before you feel the full effects of Beconase AQ.
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Risks and warnings for Beconase AQ (beclomethasone)
Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
CHANGES IN THE NASAL SEPTUM
- Risk factors: Long-term use
Long-term use of Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) can raise your chances of having changes in the nasal septum (the bony cartilage between your nostrils). Your doctor will check your nose regularly if you have to be on this medication for a long time.
DECREASED WOUND HEALING
- Risk factors: Surgery or trauma to the nose or sinuses
If you've recently had surgery, ulcers, or trauma in your nose or sinuses, using Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) can lower your body's ability to heal itself. If you've hurt your nose or had surgery in your nose, talk to your doctor before starting Beconase AQ (beclomethasone).
VISION CHANGES
- Risk factors: Long-term use of Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) | History of glaucoma | History of high eye pressure | History of cataracts
Using Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) for a long time can raise eye pressure, worsen glaucoma, and cause cataracts (cloudiness in the eyes). Talk to your doctor right away if you experience blurry vision, eye discomfort, or other changes in your vision after using Beconase AQ (beclomethasone).
Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) dosage
Nasal spray| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25g of 42mcg/spray | 1 nasal spray | $287.87 | $287.87 |
Typical dosage for Beconase AQ (beclomethasone)
The typical dose is 1 or 2 nasal sprays (42 to 84 mcg) in each nostril twice daily.
Interactions between Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Bemiparin
- Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
- Macimorelin
- Nadroparin
- Sargramostim
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Auranofin
How much does Beconase AQ (beclomethasone) cost?
$287.87
What are alternatives to Beconase AQ (beclomethasone)?
