Beclometasone nasal spray

Beclometasone nasal (nose) spray is used to treat cold-like symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis. This is swelling (inflammation) of the inside of your nose that can be brought on by allergies like hay fever.

Beclometasone (also called "beclomethasone") is a type of medicine known as a steroid (or corticosteroid). Corticosteroids are a copy of a substance the body makes naturally. They’re not the same as anabolic steroids.

Beclometasone nasal spray is available on prescription for adults and children aged 6 years old and over. You can also buy it from pharmacies and shops for adults aged 18 years old and over.

Beclometasone also comes as:

• an inhaler – for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• cream and ointment – for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
• tablets – for ulcerative colitis

Most adults and children aged 6 years old and over can use beclometasone nasal spray.

Beclometasone nasal spray is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor before starting to use it if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to beclometasone or any other medicine
• are taking or have recently taken other steroid medicines
• have had nose surgery
• have an infection in your nose

Each spray usually contains 50 micrograms of beclometasone.

You'll usually use the spray twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. The usual dose is 1 or 2 sprays into each nostril.

Follow the instructions that come with your medicine. Do not use more than 4 sprays per nostril in 24 hours.

If you bought beclomethasone nasal spray, once your symptoms are under control, you can use your nasal spray less often. For example, you might go from using 2 sprays twice a day, to 1 spray twice a day.

If your symptoms get worse after reducing your dose, you may want to increase it again.

If you have beclometasone nasal spray on prescription, your doctor will tell you how often to use the nasal spray and when to change your dose.

If you're using a new bottle, it may not work first time. Pump the spray a few times until a fine mist comes out. You'll also need to do this if you have not used the bottle for a few days.

Remove the cap and gently shake the bottle.

1. Blow your nose gently.
2. Close 1 nostril by pressing your finger against the side of your nose.
3. Bend your head forward slightly and carefully put the nozzle into your other nostril keeping the bottle upright.
4. Slowly breathe in through your nose and with your fingers press down on the widest part of the nozzle to squirt the spray once into your nostril.
5. Breathe out through your mouth.
6. Follow steps 3 and 4 again to squirt a second spray into the same nostril if you need it.

Repeat the process with the other nostril, if you need it.

After using your spray, wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue and replace the cap.

If you bought beclometasone nasal spray from a pharmacy or shop, check the leaflet that comes with the medicine. This will tell you how long you can continuously use it for without speaking to you doctor or pharmacist. This is usually between 1 and 3 months.  Stop using it when you think you no longer need it. Ask your pharmacist for advice if you're not sure when to stop.

If you're prescribed beclometasone, your doctor may advise you to use it for longer.

If you forget to use your spray, use it as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time.

Do not add extra sprays to your dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

Using too much beclometasone nasal spray is unlikely to harm you.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you’re worried.

If you're using high doses of beclometasone, or you're using it alongside other steroid medicines or tablets for HIV, you may get underactive adrenal glands. Your doctor may recommend that you carry a red steroid emergency card. This card is the size of a credit card and fits in your wallet or purse.

These common side effects of beclometasone nasal spray can happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

This will usually settle down as you get used to the medicine.

Try rinsing your mouth out with water after you use your nasal spray to help prevent this.

Rinse your mouth with water or have a drink of water.

Stop using your nasal spray for a few days, then start again.

Speak to your doctor or a pharmacist if this advice does not help and the side effects still bother you or do not go away.

Very few people have serious side effects when using beclometasone nasal spray.

You're more likely to have a serious side effect if you use beclometasone for more than a few months or take a high dose.

Tell a doctor or call 111 now if you get:

• problems with your breathing, damage to your nose or sores inside your nose
• changes in your eyesight, such as blurred vision or a cloudy lens in the eye – these can be signs of increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma) or a cataract

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, beclometasone nasal spray may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

These are not all the side effects of beclometasone nasal spray. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine's packet.

Beclometasone nasal spray is safe to use during pregnancy. Very little of the medicine gets into your bloodstream and almost none gets to your baby. Even if a small amount does get to your baby, it will not cause harm.

It's OK to use beclometasone nasal spray while breastfeeding.

Although there is no information about using beclometasone while breastfeeding. only tiny amounts are likely to be in breast milk when used as a nasal spray. It's very unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

There is no evidence that using beclometasone nasal spray reduces fertility in either men or women.

Tell your doctor if you're:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding

Some medicines can affect beclometasone nasal spray and this can increase your chance of having side effects or change how well it works. It may mean you need to change your dose of beclometasone.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before starting to use it if you're taking:

• medicines used to treat HIV such as ritonavir or cobicistat
• other medicines that contain steroids such as eczema creams, asthma inhalers, steroid tablets, injections, or eye drops,

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to use with beclometasone nasal spray. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines. Ask a pharmacist for advice.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.