Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Qvar, Beconase AQ, others |
Other names | Beclometasone dipropionate; beclomethasone dipropionate, beclomethasone (USAN US) |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a681047 |
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Routes of administration | Inhalation, nasal, topical |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | Converted to beclometasone-17-monopropionate (17-BMP) during absorption |
Protein binding | 87% of 17-BMP to albumin and transcortin |
Metabolism | By esterase enzymes found in most tissues |
Elimination half-life | 2.8 hours |
Excretion | Biliary (60%), renal (12%) |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.024.442 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C28H37ClO7 |
Molar mass | 521.05 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
Melting point | 117 to 120 °C (243 to 248 °F) (dec.) |
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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]