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beclomethasone dipropionate
Beconase, Beconase AQ, Vancenase, Vancenase AQ

Pregnancy Risk Category C

How supplied
Nasal aerosol:
42 mcg/metered spray, 50 mcg/metered spray‡
Nasal spray:
42 mcg/metered spray, 50 mcg/metered spray‡, 84 mcg/metered spray

Action
A corticosteroid that decreases nasal inflammation, mainly by stabilizing leukocyte lysosomal membranes.

Indications & dosage
Relief of symptoms of seasonal or perennial rhinitis, prevention of recurrence of nasal polyps after surgical removal--

Adults and children over age 12:
usual dosage is 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril, b.i.d., t.i.d., or q.i.d.
Children ages 6 to 12:
1 spray into each nostril t.i.d.

Adverse reactions
CNS:
headache.
EENT:
mild transient nasal burning and stinging, nasal congestion, sneezing, burning, stinging, dryness, epistaxis, nasopharyngeal fungal infections.

Interactions
None significant.

Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.

Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug and in those with untreated localized infection involving the nasal mucosa.

Nursing considerations

Patient teaching

*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine.  †Canada  ‡Australia  §U.K.  OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING

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