Inhaled corticosteroid
Beclometasone dipropionate
Brand names: Clenil, Qvar, Fostair (combination)
Adult dose
Dose: Asthma: 100–400 micrograms BD (Clenil); Qvar = extra-fine particle, half-dose equivalent
Route: Inhaled
Frequency: BD
Clinical pearls
- NICE NG80 / BTS-SIGN / GINA: ICS-backbone for asthma
- MHRA: prescribe by brand for inhalers (Clenil vs Qvar — different particle size & potency)
- Counsel inhaler technique and mouth rinsing
Contraindications
- Untreated chest infection
- Hypersensitivity
Side effects
- Oral candidiasis
- Hoarseness
- Pneumonia (COPD)
- Adrenal suppression (high-dose)
- Bone density reduction (long-term)
- Cataracts / glaucoma (high-dose)
Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ritonavir, ketoconazole)
Monitoring
- Symptom control
- PEFR
- Inhaler technique
- Oral candidiasis
Reference: BNF; NICE NG80; BTS/SIGN; GINA; MHRA Drug Safety Update; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/beclometasone-dipropionate/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024
- Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CURB-65) · BTS 2009 / NICE NG138
- Acute Pulmonary Embolism · BTS 2003 / ESC 2019
- Pleural Effusion Assessment · BTS 2010