Beconase
Aqueous Nasal Spray
beclometasone dipropionate
50 micrograms
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if
their symptoms are the same as yours. - If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
- 1 What Beconase is and what it is used for
- 2 Before you use Beconase
- 3 How to use Beconase
- 4 Possible side effects
- 5 How to store Beconase
- 6 Further information
What Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray is and what it is used for
Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray (called ‘Beconase’ in this leaflet) contains a medicine called beclometasone
dipropionate. This belongs to a group of medicines called steroids (also called ‘cortico-steroids’).
- Steroids work by reducing inflammation
- they reduce swelling and irritation in your nose
- this helps to relieve itching, sneezing and your blocked or runny nose.
Beconase is used to prevent and treat:
- Inflammation in the lining of your nose (rhinitis) due to seasonal allergies, such as Hayfever.
- Inflammation in the lining of your nose (rhinitis) due to year round (perennial) allergies, such as animal allergies.
Before you use Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray
Do not use Beconase if:
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to beclometasone dipropionate or any of the other ingredients of
Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray (listed in section 6).
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using your medicine if:
- you have had steroids for a long time, either as an injection or by your mouth.
- you have ever had an operation on your nose
- you have an infection in your nose
If you are unsure if the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Beconase.
Taking Beconase with food and drink
You can use Beconase at any time of day, with or without food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Beconase is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Beconase
Beconase contains Benzalkonium chloride which may cause problems with your breathing (bronchospasm).
How to use Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray
Always use Beconase exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Do not use in children under 6 years old.
- It takes a few days for this medicine to work. So keep using it, even though you may not feel better
straight away. - You should use the spray every day.
How much to use - adults and children (aged 6 and over)
- The usual starting dose is 2 sprays into each nostril twice a day.
- The most you would use in over 24 hours is normally 8 sprays (4 sprays per nostril).
- As you become better, your doctor may ask you to use a lower dose - one spray into each nostril twice a day.
- If your symptoms then get worse, your dose may be increased back to the starting dose.
- Do not use a larger dose or use your nasal spray more often than your doctor tells you.
If you use high doses of Beconase
There are times when your doctor may need to adjust the dose of the steroid you are given or the way in
which you take it. These times are:
- times of extreme stress
- during admission to hospital after a serious accident, injury or illness
- before and after a surgical operation.
If you think that any of these apply to you whilst using Beconase, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Preparing your spray
Each spray has a dust cap which protects the nozzle and keeps it clean. Remember to take this off before using the spray.
A new spray (or one that has not been used for a few days), may not work first time. You need to ‘prime’ the spray by pumping the spray a few times until a fine mist is produced.
- 1 Hold the bottle as shown and make sure it is pointed away from you.
- 2 Put your forefinger and middle finger on the collar either side of the nozzle and put your
thumb underneath the bottle. - 3 Keep your thumb still, and press down with your fingers to pump the spray.
- If the spray does not work and you think it may be blocked, you will need to clean it. Please see
the section over the page, Cleaning your spray. - Never try to unblock or enlarge the tiny spray hole with a pin or other sharp object. This will damage the way the spray works.
Using your spray
- 1 Shake the bottle and take off the dust cap.
- 2 Blow your nose gently.
- 3 Close one nostril with your finger as shown, and put the nozzle in the other nostril. Tilt
your head forward slightly and keep the bottle upright. Hold the bottle as shown. - 4 Start to breathe in slowly through your nose. While you are breathing in press down firmly on the collar with your fingers. A spray of fine mist will go into your nostril.
- 5 Breathe out through your mouth.
- 6 Repeat step 4 to use a second spray in the same nostril.
- 7 Remove the nozzle from this nostril and breathe out through your mouth.
- 8 Repeat steps 3 to 6 for your other nostril.
- 9 After using your spray, wipe the nozzle carefully with a clean tissue or handkerchief, and replace the dust cap.
Cleaning your spray
Clean your spray at least once a week, or more often if it gets blocked.
- 1 Take the dust cap off.
- 2 Pull upwards on the white collar to remove the nozzle.
- 3 Soak the nozzle and dust cap in warm water for a few minutes.
- 4 Then rinse under a running tap.
- 5 Shake off the excess water and let them dry in a warm place.
- 6 Put the nozzle back on the spray.
- 7 ‘Prime’ the bottle as described in the section over the page, Preparing your spray.
If you forget to use Beconase
If you miss a dose, just use the next dose when it is due.
If you use more Beconase than you should
Tell your doctor if you use more than you were told to.
If you stop using Beconase
Do not stop treatment even if you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you do stop, the
symptoms may come back.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Beconase can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side
effects may happen with this medicine:
Immediately after you use your spray
- You may sneeze a little, but this soon stops.
- Very occasionally you may find you get an unpleasant taste or smell.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following side effects:
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
- A dry or painful nose or throat.
- Bad nose bleeds.
- Mild allergic reactions including skin rashes or redness, itching or weals like nettle rash or hives.
Very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
- Problems with your eyes such as pain or blurred vision.
- Damage to your nose
- Severe allergic reactions - the signs may include swelling of your face or throat, shortness of breath
or wheezing. If this happens, tell your doctor straight away - you may need urgent medical treatment.
Very rarely, the normal production of steroids in your body may be affected. This is more likely to happen if
you use high doses for a long time. Your doctor will help stop this happening by making sure you use the lowest dose of steroid which controls your symptoms.
In children this side effect can rarely cause them to grow more slowly than others. Children who receive
this treatment for a long period of time will have their height checked regularly by their doctor.
If you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet tell your doctor as soon as possible.
How to store Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
- Protect from frost and light.
- Do not store above 30°C (86°F).
- Do not put in a refrigerator.
- Do not use Beconase after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton after ‘EXP’. The expiry
date refers to the last day of that month. - Stop using this bottle three months after you first opened it.
- If you are told to stop using this medicine return any unused spray to your pharmacist to be destroyed.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of
medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further Information
What Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray contains
- The active substance is beclometasone dipropionate.
- The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, dextrose, polysorbate 80, purified water and the preservatives benzalkonium chloride and phenylethylalcohol. These other
ingredients are needed to make a stable suspension which will not go off.
What Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray looks like and contents of the pack
Each bottle delivers 200 sprays. Each spray contains 50 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Manufacturer
Other formats:
To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK Only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product name Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray
Reference number 10949/0104
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of the Blind.
Leaflet date: September 2008
Beconase is a trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
© 2008 GlaxoSmithKline group of companies
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