Qnasl
Qnasl (beclomethasone) is a steroid nasal spray that works well for treating nasal symptoms caused by allergies. You spray it into your nose, typically 1-2 sprays once daily. To get the most out of the medication, you should used every day. Some of the more common side effects of Qnasl (beclomethasone) include nasal discomfort, nose bleeds, and headache.
What is Qnasl (beclomethasone)?
What is Qnasl (beclomethasone) used for?
Nasal symptoms caused by seasonal or year-round allergies
How Qnasl (beclomethasone) works
Qnasl (beclomethasone) is a corticosteroid medication. When it's applied directly into your nose, it lowers inflammation (e.g., swelling, itching) to treat nasal symptoms caused by seasonal or year-round allergies like stuffy or runny nose, itchiness, and sneezing.
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What are the side effects of Qnasl (beclomethasone)?
Common Side Effects
- Nasal discomfort (5%)
- Headache (2%)
- Nose bleed (2%)
- Headache (3%)
- Fever (3%)
- Cough, runny nose, and other symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection (3%)
- Sore throat and stuffy nose (2%)
Other Side Effects
- Sneezing
- Burning sensation
Serious Side Effects
- Severe allergic reaction: hives, rash, swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing
Source: DailyMed
The following 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.
Pros and cons of Qnasl (beclomethasone)
Pros
Can be used in children ages 4 years and older
Has fewer side effects compared to oral corticosteroids
Doesn't need to be primed before first use
Has a built-in counter to help keep track of remaining doses
Cons
Can raise your risk for infections
Can cause nasal discomfort and nose bleeds
Can slow growth in children, especially if used long-term
Available by prescription only, unlike some other intranasal corticosteroids
Pharmacist tips for Qnasl (beclomethasone)
Make sure you know how to give yourself Qnasl (beclomethasone) to avoid accidentally hurting yourself or wasting the medication. Read the Instructions for Use and contact your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions on how to use this medication.
Don't remove the canister from the actuator, and don't use Qnasl (beclomethasone) with a canister from another medication or with an actuator from another inhaler.
Using Qnasl (beclomethasone) can raise your risk for nose bleeds. To stop a nose bleed, sit down and upright and pinch the soft part of your nose above your nostrils for at least 10 minutes. Then, lean forward and breathe through your mouth. If needed, place something cold, like an ice pack, on top of your nose to squeeze your blood vessels and help stop bleeding. If the bleeding is hard to stop or you feel light-headed or dizzy, contact your provider or go to the hospital right away.
The 80 mcg nasal spray contains 120 sprays while the 40 mcg nasal spray contains 60 sprays. Don't use the bottle after the dose counter reads "0" because additional sprays won't have the correct amount of medication you'll need for a full dose.
Before using Qnasl (beclomethasone), blow your nose to clear your nostrils to ensure the medication can reach the skin inside your nostrils. After using the medication, don't blow your nose for at least 15 minutes so the medication can stay in your nose.
If your child is between 4 and 11 years old and was prescribed Qnasl (beclomethasone), make sure they use it under supervision by an adult.
Clean the tip of the nasal spray using a dry tissue or cloth. Don't wash or use water on any part of the nasal spray or you might damage it.
Store Qnasl (beclomethasone) at room temperature in the original container to protect it from light. Don't expose the nasal spray to extremely high temperatures because the canister could burst.
Frequently asked questions about Qnasl (beclomethasone)
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What are the risks and warnings for Qnasl (beclomethasone)?
Qnasl (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.
Nose bleeds, discomfort, and injury
Risk factors: Using Qnasl (beclomethasone) for several months or longer | Nasal surgery | Injury to the nose | Ulcers in the nose
Using Qnasl (beclomethasone) for several months or longer can raise your risk for nose bleeds or damage in your nose. Sometimes, this can lead to serious injuries to the bony cartilage between your nostrils (the nasal septum). And once you develop injuries, Qnasl (beclomethasone) can make it more difficult for your body to heal. Talk to your provider if you experience painful discomfort in your nose, have regular nosebleeds, hear a whistling sound from your nose when you breathe, or have painful sores in your nose while you use Qnasl (beclomethasone).
Slower wound healing
Risk factors: Recent surgery or injury to the nose
Qnasl (beclomethasone) can slow down your body's ability to heal wounds in your nose. Using this medication isn't recommended if you've had recent surgery in your nose or have a nose injury until the wound has completely healed.
Risk of infection
Risk factors: Using Qnasl (beclomethasone) for several months | Taking other medications that weakens your immune system
Using corticosteroids, like Qnasl (beclomethasone), can make it more likely for you to get an infection. The types of infection can range from fungal infections in the nose or throat area (more likely with inhaled or nasal corticosteroids) to viral infections (e.g., chickenpox). And once you develop an infection, you might have a harder time recovering from your illness.
While there have been no reports of infections linked directly with Qnasl (beclomethasone), your provider might still routinely check in with you to see if you have any infections. If you come down with a fever or you have any pain or redness with white patches in your nose or throat, stop using Qnasl (beclomethasone) and contact your provider right away. Your provider might ask you to stop using Qnasl (beclomethasone) and take medication to treat the infection.
Eye and vision problems
Risk factors: History of glaucoma or cataracts
Altered stress hormone levels
Risk factors: Using Qnasl (beclomethasone) for a long time | Using excessive amounts of Qnasl (beclomethasone)
Using Qnasl (beclomethasone) for long periods of time or using too much of it can cause more medication to be absorbed into the body. Because this medication acts similar to cortisol, a natural stress hormone made by your body, this can affect your body in different ways. You might experience symptoms of too much cortisol, such as weight gain around your gut, fatty deposits around your face and upper back, and fat loss around the arms and legs. On the other hand, Qnasl (beclomethasone) can also cause your body to make less natural cortisol. Symptoms of low cortisol include muscle weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. If either problem is severe enough, you might need additional medical treatment. Use Qnasl (beclomethasone) only as directed and don't use more than the maximum number of sprays. Use the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time.
Delayed growth in children
Using corticosteroids, like Qnasl (beclomethasone), might cause slower growth in children. To lower this risk, children should use the lowest dose of Qnasl (beclomethasone) for the shortest amount of time needed to treat their symptoms. If you're concerned about how Qnasl (beclomethasone) might affect your child's growth, discuss with your child's provider to see if this medication is right for your child.
Qnasl (beclomethasone) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Qnasl (beclomethasone)
Adults and children ages 12 years and older: Each spray of Qnasl contains 80 mcg of beclomethasone. The typical recommended dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once daily.
Children ages 4 to younger than 12 years old: Each spray of Children's Qnasl contains 40 mcg of beclomethasone. The typical dose is 1 spray in each nostril once daily.
Interactions between Qnasl (beclomethasone) and other drugs
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 Qnasl (beclomethasone) cost?
What are alternatives to Qnasl (beclomethasone)?
Nasal symptoms caused by seasonal or year-round allergies
Congestion
Runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy nose
Itchy, watery eyes
Temporary relief of allergy symptoms (e.g., stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose) (OTC only)
Prevention of seasonal allergies (prescription only)
Treatment of long-term nose and sinus inflammation with nasal polyps (prescription only)
What is the latest news about Qnasl (beclomethasone)?
Qnasl (beclomethasone) images
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References
Best studies we foundLeach, C. L., et al. (2015). Nasal deposition of HFA-beclomethasone, aqueous fluticasone propionate and aqueous mometasone furoate in allergic rhinitis patients. Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery.
MedlinePlus. (2021). Exogenous Cushing syndrome.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Symptoms & causes of adrenal insufficiency & Addison's disease.
Phinyo, P., et al. (2022). As-needed versus regular intranasal corticosteroid for allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology.
Qnasl. (n.d.). About Qnasl.
Scadding, G. K., et al. (2017). BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (revised edition 2017; first edition 2007). Clinical & Experimental Allergy.
Seidman, M. D., et al. (2015). Clinical practice guideline: Allergic rhinitis. Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery.
Teva Pharmaceuticals. (2020). QNASL (beclomethasone dipropionate) Nasal Aerosol [package insert].
Teva Respiratory. (2022). QNASL- beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol, metered QNASL- beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol, metered [package insert]. DailyMed.
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