Inhaled corticosteroid Pregnancy: There is no experience of use of this product in human pregnancy or lactation and inadequate evidence of safety; it should not be used in pregnancy or lactation unless the expected benefits to the mother are thought to outweigh any potential risk to the fetus or neonate.

Beclometasone dipropionate

Brand names: Clenil, Qvar, Fostair (combination)

Beclometasone dipropionate is a synthetic inhaled corticosteroid used as preventer (maintenance) anti-inflammatory therapy for asthma, and in other formulations for allergic rhinitis or, by other routes, inflammatory bowel and skin conditions.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: 200 micrograms twice daily (usual starting dose); in severe cases this may be increased to 600 to 800 micrograms daily

Route: Inhalation (pressurised metered-dose inhaler)

Frequency: Twice daily initially; the total daily dosage should be administered as two to four divided doses

Source is the eMC SPC for Clenil Modulite 100 micrograms inhaler - an INHALED corticosteroid for asthma. This SPC does not cover nasal, oral or topical beclometasone products, so no dose for those formulations can be taken from here. The starting dose of inhaled beclometasone dipropionate should be adjusted to the severity of the disease, then adjusted until control is achieved and titrated to the lowest dose at which effective control of asthma is maintained; the dose may be reduced once the patient's asthma has stabilised. A Volumatic spacer device must always be used when Clenil Modulite is given to adults and adolescents 16 years of age and older taking total daily doses of 1000 micrograms or greater. Paediatric dosing stated in this SPC is by fixed dose, not per kg: usual starting dose 100 micrograms twice daily; depending on the severity of asthma the daily dose may be increased up to 400 micrograms administered in two to four divided doses - Clenil Modulite must always be used with the Volumatic spacer device in children and adolescents 15 years of age and under, whatever dose has been prescribed. Verify paediatric dosing against a children's formulary. Treatment should not be stopped abruptly. Clenil Modulite does not provide relief of acute asthma symptoms, which require a short-acting inhaled bronchodilator; patients should have relief medication available. Advise the patient to rinse the mouth or gargle with water, or brush the teeth, immediately after using the inhaler.

Dose adjustments

Renal

No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to beclometasone dipropionate or to any of the excipients

Side effects

Oral candidiasis of the mouth and throat (very common; incidence increases with doses greater than 400 micrograms daily)
Hoarseness, throat irritation (common)
Hypersensitivity reactions - rash, urticaria, pruritus, erythema (uncommon); oedema of the eyes, face, lips and throat (very rare)
Adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children and adolescents, decreased bone density (very rare - systemic effects of inhaled corticosteroid, especially at high dose for prolonged periods)
Cataract and glaucoma (very rare); paradoxical bronchospasm, wheezing, dyspnoea and cough (very rare); psychomotor hyperactivity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, aggression and behavioural disorders, predominantly in children (frequency not known)

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is a potent glucocorticoid that, after local activation, binds glucocorticoid receptors to suppress airway inflammation and reduce bronchial hyper-responsiveness.

Prescribing in practice

Most important: it is a preventer, not a reliever, and must be taken regularly for benefit; it does not relieve an acute attack and patients still need a short-acting bronchodilator.
Different beclometasone inhalers, particularly extra-fine formulations, are not equivalent dose-for-dose, so prescribe by brand and avoid unintended switching.
Use the lowest effective dose to maintain control and review the need for higher doses periodically.

Monitoring

Monitor asthma control, inhaler technique, oral candidiasis, and growth in children on prolonged higher-dose therapy.

Counselling the patient

Rinse the mouth after each dose to reduce thrush and hoarseness.
Keep using it every day even when well, as the protective effect builds up over time.

Evidence & guidelines

Inhaled corticosteroids are the cornerstone preventer therapy for persistent asthma in NICE and GINA guidance.

Reference: NICE NG80; BTS/SIGN; GINA; MHRA Drug Safety Update; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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