Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray

What is Beconase aqueous?

Beconase aqueous nasal spray helps treat and prevent hay fever symptoms. It’s also effective against other nasal allergies caused by dust mites or pet hair. 

How does Beconase aqueous work?

Beconase aqueous contains a corticosteroid called beclometasone. This corticosteroid helps reduce inflammation or swelling in your nose. Beconase aqueous helps relieve the symptoms of hay fever such as sneezing and a blocked, itchy or runny nose.

Can I use Beconase aqueous with other hay fever treatments?

Beconase aqueous can be used alongside antihistamine tablets or eye drops for hay fever. You should discuss any other medicines you are taking, or plan to take, with your pharmacist to make sure the combination is suitable.

How long does Beconase aqueous take to work?

Beconase aqueous takes a few days to start working. Wait at least one week for symptoms to improve while using Beconase aqueous and then continue to use it every day during hay fever season to prevent symptoms.

Does Beconase aqueous help other allergies?

Beconase aqueous will help relieve symptoms caused by other nasal allergies to dust mites and pet hair, alongside hay fever.

How to use Beconase aqueous?

Shake the bottle before using Beconase aqueous nasal spray. If it’s your first time using Beconase aqueous, or if you haven’t used it for a few days, then you’ll need to prepare the spray by taking off the cap and pressing down on the collar six times. Once you see a fine mist being released, you can use it straight away. Tilt your head forward slightly and spray once or twice into each nostril as you slowly breathe in. You must throw away your Beconase aqueous nasal spray three months after opening it to prevent contamination from dirt or bacteria.

Beconase aqueous dosage

For adults and children over six years old, the typical starting dose for Beconase aqueous nasal spray is two sprays in each nostril twice a day. The maximum dose is eight sprays (four sprays per nostril) in 24 hours. Always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

Beconase aqueous side effects

While using Beconase aqueous nasal spray you may experience:

• A burning or stinging sensation inside the nose
• A crusty or dry feeling in the nose
• Dryness or irritation in the throat
• Nosebleeds 
• Redness, swelling or itching in the nose 

In rare cases, Beconase aqueous can cause extra pressure in the eye, leading to glaucoma or cataracts developing. Blurred vision is a warning sign of this. In children, long term use can interfere with their growth.

Contraindications

Beconase aqueous nasal spray should not be used by the following groups of people. Please speak to your doctor if you fall into any of these categories:

• Pregnant women
• If you’ve recently had surgery on your nose
• Tuberculosis sufferers
• Patients taking other forms of steroid treatments 
• People who are allergic to steroids

Drug interactions

You should speak to your doctor if you are taking any additional medicines, including herbal remedies, as they could interact with your Beconase aqueous prescription. In particular, the following medicines may interact with Beconase aqueous nasal spray:

• Additional steroid treatments
• HIV medicine
• Asthma treatments

Beconase aqueous and pregnancy

You should ask for advice from your doctor before using Beconase aqueous if you are pregnant, planning a baby or breastfeeding.

Beconase aqueous and alcohol

You should not drink alcohol if Beconase aqueous makes you feel drowsy or sleepy. Otherwise, you can drink alcohol while using Beconase aqueous nasal spray.

Beconase-Aqueous and driving

You should not drive if Beconase aqueous makes you feel drowsy or sleepy. Otherwise, you can drive while using Beconase aqueous nasal spray.

Beconase aqueous vs over the counter nasal sprays

There are other over the counter nasal sprays available to treat hay fever and allergies. Some pharmacy branded nasal sprays contain steroids and work in a similar way to Beconase aqueous nasal spray. These include Pirinase (fluticasone), Clarinaze (mometasone) and Beconase Hayfever Relief (beclometasone). If over the counter nasal sprays do not help, you may want to consider seeing your doctor or ordering online with Dr Felix for a prescription medicine.

Alternatives to Beconase aqueous

There are other types of nasal sprays like Beconase aqueous that are effective at treating hay fever and allergy symptoms. Avamys is another steroid nasal spray whereas Rhinolast contains an antihistamine. Dymista contains a steroid and antihistamine. Your doctor will be able to prescribe the best treatment for you depending on your symptoms, allergies and medical history.

Is Beconase aqueous a steroid?

Beconase aqueous contains beclometasone which is a type of steroid, known as a corticosteroid, as the active ingredient. It’s not the same as anabolic steroids which are used by bodybuilders to enhance performance.

Can Beconase aqueous be used to help asthma?

Treating your hay fever symptoms will help you manage your asthma. Therefore, your doctor can suggest that you use Beconase aqueous if pollen triggers your asthma.

Does Beconase aqueous help colds?

Beconase aqueous should only be used to treat and prevent the symptoms of hay fever or other nasal allergies caused by dust mites or pet hair. Beconase aqueous does not help treat or prevent the cold virus.

Is long term use of Beconase aqueous safe?

Only use Beconase aqueous nasal spray as your doctor has prescribed. Generally, Beconase aqueous is safe to use long term. If you are on a high dose of Beconase aqueous for a long time then, you may get side effects associated with steroid tablets. These include mood changes, difficulty sleeping, increased appetite, high blood pressure and a weakening of the bones.

Active ingredients

The active ingredient in Beconase aqueous nasal spray is Beclometasone.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients in Beconase aqueous nasal spray are microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, dextrose, polysorbate 80, purified water, benzalkonium chloride and phenylethylalcohol.

Please Note: Please check the patient information leaflet for a full ingredients list in generic brands of beclometasone nasal spray

Which ingredients can cause an allergic reaction?

This medication is used to treat allergies in people however it is still possible to experience an allergic reaction to this medication. While it is rare for this medication to cause a severe allergic reaction, you should look out for the signs which include hives, face or throat swelling, dizziness, chest tightness, and trouble breathing. It is imperative you seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of these symptoms.