Beclomethasone, Oral

Corticosteroid, Systemic · Corticosteroid

Indications

Prophylaxis of asthma, allergic rhinitis, treatment of allergic rhinitis, oral ulceration, ulcerative colitis.

Dosage

Ulcerative colitis: Adults: 5 mg in morning daily, max duration 4 wk.

Adverse Effects

Endocrine irregularities including menstrual problems, Cushingoid state, adrenal suppression, growth suppression in children. Increased susceptibility to infection, increased severity of infection. Fluid/electrolyte disturbance, hypertension, negative protein, nitrogen and calcium balance. Myopathy, tendon rupture, osteoporosis, osteonecrosis and fractures. Impaired wound healing, sweating, hirsutism, striae, telangiectasia, acne. GI disturbance, peptic ulceration, acute pancreatitis, candidiasis. Psychiatric effects, neurological effects, insomnia. Diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, weight gain, increased appetite. Ocular disturbances including cataracts, raised intraocular pressure, optic nerve damage, corneal changes, glaucoma. Thromboembolism, leukocytosis.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Systemic fungal infections unless specific anti-infective therapy is used. Head injury, stroke. Precautions: Active infections not controlled by antibiotics. Latent or active amoebiasis. History of TB, septicaemia, symptoms may be masked. Avoid or maintain extreme cautions in chickenpox, measles, psychiatric disorders, renal impairment, hepatic failure, cirrhosis, active peptic ulcer, Myasthaenia gravis, previous steroid myopathy, osteoporosis, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, diabetes, adrenal suppression, hypertension, recent MI, congestive heart failure, thromboembolic disorders, glaucoma, corneal perforation. WITHDRAWAL: Withdraw gradually. Withdrawal symptoms may include fever, myalgia, arthralgia, rhinitis, itchy skin nodules and weight loss.

Interactions

Live vaccines or other vaccines, anticoagulants, hypoglycaemia agents, antihypertensives, diuretics, erythromycin, rifamycin, amphotericin, azole antifungals, ritonavir, cyclosporin, cardiac glycosides. Oestrogens including oral contraceptives, somatropin. Carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates. Muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, salicylates, sympathomimetics, mifepristone, methotrexate, theophylline, aprepitant.

Advice to Patient

Contact prescriber if there is worsening of condition, skin rash, redness/irritation/burning/pain of nasal mucosa, white plaques in mouth or fuzzy tongue, unrelieved headache or if no improvement occurs.

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: 17-BMP (most active metabolite): 2.8 hrs. Time to peak, plasma: 30 mins. Excretion: Faeces (mainly). Urine (<10% of dose).

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.