Beclomethasone

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: QVAR REDIHALER

Brand Names
QVAR REDIHALER
Route
RESPIRATORY (INHALATION)
Product Type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG

Description

11 DESCRIPTION The active component of QVAR REDIHALER 40 mcg Inhalation Aerosol and QVAR REDIHALER 80 mcg Inhalation Aerosol is beclomethasone dipropionate, USP, a corticosteroid having the chemical name 9-chloro-11ß,17,21-trihydroxy-16ß-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione 17,21-dipropionate. Beclomethasone dipropionate is a diester of beclomethasone, a synthetic corticosteroid chemically related to dexamethasone. Beclomethasone differs from dexamethasone in having a chlorine at the 9‑alpha carbon in place of a fluorine, and in having a 16‑beta-methyl group instead of a 16‑alpha-methyl group. Beclomethasone dipropionate is a white to creamy white, odorless powder with a molecular formula of C 28 H 37 ClO 7 and a molecular weight of 521.1. Its chemical structure is: Chemical Structure QVAR REDIHALER is a pressurized, breath‑actuated, metered‑dose aerosol with a dose counter intended for oral inhalation only. Each unit consists of a sealed breath‑actuated inhaler device enclosing a canister containing a solution of beclomethasone dipropionate in propellant HFA‑134a (1,1,1,2 tetrafluoroethane) and ethanol (0.85 g). QVAR REDIHALER 40 mcg delivers 40 mcg of beclomethasone dipropionate from the actuator mouthpiece and 50 mcg from the canister valve. QVAR REDIHALER 80 mcg delivers 80 mcg of beclomethasone dipropionate from the actuator mouthpiece and 100 mcg from the canister valve. Both products deliver 50 microliters (59 milligrams) of solution formulation as an aerosol from the canister valve with each actuation. The 40‑mcg canisters and the 80‑mcg canisters provide 120 inhalations each. Since the QVAR REDIHALER canister is fitted with a primeless valve, no priming actuations are required before use. For both products, an actuation was always triggered by a 20 L/min inspiratory flow rate. structure

What Is Beclomethasone Used For?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE QVAR REDIHALER is indicated in the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. Limitations of Use: QVAR REDIHALER is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. QVAR REDIHALER is a corticosteroid indicated for maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use : Not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For oral inhalation only. ( 2.1 ) Starting dosage is based on prior asthma therapy and disease severity. ( 2.2 ) Treatment of asthma in patients 4 to 11 years of age: 40 mcg or 80 mcg twice daily. ( 2.2 ) Treatment of asthma in patients 12 years of age and older: 40 mcg, 80 mcg, 160 mcg, or 320 mcg twice daily ( 2.2 ) Discard QVAR REDIHALER inhaler when the dose counter displays 0 or after the expiration date on the product, whichever comes first. ( 2.1 ) Do not use a spacer or volume holding chamber ( 2.1 ) 2.1 General Overview Administration Administer QVAR REDIHALER by oral inhalation. After inhalation, rinse mouth with water without swallowing to help reduce the risk of oropharyngeal candidiasis. Consistent dose delivery is achieved, whether using the 40‑ or 80‑mcg strengths, due to proportionality of the 2 products (i.e., 2 actuations of 40‑mcg strength should provide a dose comparable to 1 actuation of the 80‑mcg strength). Inhaler Instructions Patients should be instructed on the proper use of their inhaler. Do not use QVAR REDIHALER with a spacer or volume holding chamber. Shaking the inhaler prior to use is not necessary. Do not shake the inhaler with the cap open to avoid possible actuation of the device. Priming QVAR REDIHALER does not require priming. Cleaning Keep the inhaler clean and dry at all times. Never wash or put any part of the inhaler in water. Routine maintenance is not required. If the mouthpiece needs cleaning, gently wipe the mouthpiece with a dry cloth or tissue as needed. Dose Counter QVAR REDIHALER has a dose counter attached to the actuator. When the patient receives the inhaler, the number 120 will be displayed. The dose counter will count down each time a spray is released. When the dose counter reaches 20, the color of the numbers will change to red to remind the patient to contact their pharmacist for a refill of medication or consult their physician for a prescription refill. When the dose counter reaches 0, the background will change to solid red. Discard QVAR REDIHALER inhaler when the dose counter displays 0 or after the expiration date on the product, whichever comes first [see Patient Counseling Information ( 17 )] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage Adults and Adolescents 12 years of age and older The recommended starting dosage for patients 12 years of age and older who are not on an inhaled corticosteroid is 40 to 80 mcg twice daily by oral inhalation, approximately 12 hours apart. The starting dosage is based on previous asthma therapy and disease severity, including consideration of the patients’ current control of asthma symptoms and risk of future exacerbation. For patients switching to QVAR REDIHALER from another inhaled corticosteroid product, select the appropriate starting dosage strength of QVAR REDIHALER based on the strength of the previous inhaled corticosteroid product and disease severity: 40, 80, 160 or 320 mcg twice daily. For patients who do not respond adequately to...

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Oropharyngeal candidiasis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Immunosuppression and risk of infections [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Reduction in bone mineral density [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Growth effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] Glaucoma and cataracts [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence > 3% and > placebo) include oral candidiasis, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, allergic rhinitis, oropharyngeal pain and sinusitis. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Teva Pharmaceuticals at 1-888-483-8279 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience A total of 1858 subjects participated in the QVAR REDIHALER clinical development program. Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adults and Adolescent Patients 12 years of Age and Older: The adverse reaction information presented in Table 1 is derived from 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in which 1230 patients (751 female and 479 male adults previously treated with as‑needed bronchodilators and/or inhaled corticosteroids) were treated with QVAR REDIHALER (doses of 40, 80, 160, or 320 mcg twice daily) or QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol (QVAR MDI; doses of 160 or 320 mcg twice daily) or placebo. In considering these data, difference in average duration of exposure and clinical trial design should be taken into account. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Experienced by at Least 3% of Adult and Adolescent Patients in the QVAR REDIHALER or QVAR MDI Groups and Greater Than Placebo by Treatment and Daily Dose Preferred Term Number (%) of patients QVAR REDIHALER QVAR MDI Placebo 80 mcg N=90 160 mcg N=92 320 mcg N=214 640 mcg N=211 320 mcg N=212 640 mcg N=107 N=304 Oral Candidiasis 0 2 (2) 7 (3) 15 (7) 6 (3) 9 (8) 1 (<1) Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 3 (3) 3 (3) 9 (4) 6 (3) 17 (8) 4 (4) 6 (2) Nasopharyngitis 4 (4) 2 (2) 3 (1) 3 (1) 6 (3) 4 (4) 4 (1) Oropharyngeal Pain 2 (2) 2 (2) 1 (<1) 3 (1) 6 (3) 4 (4) 2 (<1) Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 3 (3) 0 1 (<1) 3 (1) 4 (2) 2 (<1) 4 (1) Sinusitis 3 (3) 0 1 (<1) 2 (<1) 1 (<1) 1 (<1) 2 (<1) Rhinitis Allergic 0 3 (3) 0 2 (<1) 0 1 (<1) 0 *QVAR MDI=QVAR Inhalation Aerosol Other adverse reactions that occurred in clinical trials using QVAR REDIHALER with an incidence of 1% to 3% and which occurred at a greater incidence than placebo were back pain, headache, pain, nausea and cough. Pediatric Patients 4 to 11 Years of Age: The adverse reaction information presented in Table 2 concerning QVAR REDIHALER and QVAR MDI is derived from one 12‑week placebo-controlled study in pediatric patients 4 to 11 years of age with persistent asthma. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Experienced by at Least 3% of Patients 4 to 11 Years of Age in the QVAR REDIHALER or QVAR MDI Groups and Greater Than Placebo by Treatment and Daily Dose Preferred Term Number (%) of patients QVAR REDIHALER QVAR MDI Placebo 80 mcg N=126 160 mcg N=125 80 mcg N=125 160 mcg N=125 N=127 Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 3 (2.4) 1 (0.8) 6 (4.8) 5 (4.0) 5 (3.9) Nasopharyngitis 5 (4.0) 11 (8.8) 6 (4.8) 6 (4.8) 4 (3.1) Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infection 5 (4.0) 5 (4.0) 3 (2.4) 1 (0.8) 4 (3.1) Pharyngitis 4 (3.2) 4 (3.2) 4 (3.2) 4 (3.2) 2 (1.6) Cough 1 (0.8) 3 (2.4) 9 (7.2) 6 (4.8) 4 (3.1) Vomiting 2 (1.6) 2 (1.6) 4 (3.2) 0 2 (1.6) Headache 2 (1.6) 5 (4.0) 0 4 (3.2) 5 (3.9) Pyrexia 1 (0.8) 4 (3.2) 4 (3.2) 3 (2.4) 3 (2.4) *QVAR MDI=QVAR Inhalation Aerosol Other...

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS QVAR REDIHALER is contraindicated in: the primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episodes of asthma where intensive measures are required [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . in patients with known hypersensitivity to beclomethasone dipropionate or any of the ingredients in QVAR REDIHALER [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] . Primary treatment of status asthmaticus or other acute episodes of asthma where intensive measures are required. ( 4 ) Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of QVAR REDIHALER. ( 4 )

How Supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Product: 50090-5032 NDC: 50090-5032-0 1 AEROSOL, METERED in a INHALER / 1 in a CARTON

About This Information

This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

What are drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.