What is the use of Qvar (beclomethasone) in asthma treatment?

From the Guidelines

Qvar, also known as beclomethasone dipropionate, is an inhaled corticosteroid medication used for the maintenance treatment of asthma.

Key Points

• The recommended dose is 40-160 mcg twice daily, with a maximum daily dose of 320 mcg 1.
• Treatment should be initiated at a dose sufficient to control symptoms, and then titrated to the lowest effective dose to maintain control.
• Qvar is available in a metered-dose inhaler, and patients should be instructed to rinse their mouth after use to minimize the risk of oral thrush.
• Inhaled corticosteroids, such as Qvar, are the most consistently effective long-term control medication at all steps of care for persistent asthma, and improve asthma control more effectively in both children and adults than leukotriene receptor antagonists or any other single, long-term control medication 1.
• Qvar can be used in combination with a long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (LABA) for long-term control and prevention of symptoms in moderate or severe persistent asthma 1.
• The combination of Qvar and a LABA has been shown to improve symptoms and peak flow compared to a higher dose of inhaled corticosteroids alone 1.
• High doses of Qvar, such as 1260 mg/day, may be required for patients with refractory asthma 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

QVAR is indicated in the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in patients 5 years of age and older. QVAR is also indicated for asthma patients who require systemic corticosteroid administration, where adding QVAR may reduce or eliminate the need for the systemic corticosteroids.

The use of Qvar (beclomethasone) in asthma treatment is for:

• Maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in patients 5 years of age and older
• Reduction or elimination of the need for systemic corticosteroids in asthma patients who require them 2 Key points:
• Qvar is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm
• It is used for long-term control and prevention of asthma symptoms, with improvement expected within 1-4 weeks of starting treatment 2

From the Research

Use of Qvar (Beclomethasone) in Asthma Treatment

• Qvar (beclomethasone) is a topically active corticosteroid used as an adjuvant in the control of chronic asthma when given by inhalation as an aerosol 3.
• It is not intended for treatment of acute attacks, but rather for long-term control of asthma symptoms 3.
• Beclomethasone dipropionate has a high topical activity and lower systemic activity due to metabolic inactivation of the swallowed portion of the dose, making it a preferable option to oral corticosteroids in some cases 3.

Efficacy and Safety of Qvar

• Studies have shown that Qvar is effective in improving lung function, reducing asthma symptoms, and decreasing the need for rescue medication 4, 5, 6.
• The efficacy of Qvar has been demonstrated in various patient populations, including those with mild to moderate asthma 4 and those with poorly controlled asthma 6.
• Qvar has been shown to be well-tolerated, with common side effects including oropharyngeal candidiasis and systemic steroid withdrawal effects 3, 6.

Comparison of Qvar to Other Treatments

• Qvar has been compared to other inhaled corticosteroids, such as budesonide, and has been shown to be equivalent in terms of efficacy and safety 5.
• A study comparing extrafine and larger-particle beclometasone formulations found that the extrafine formulation was associated with improved asthma outcomes and better adherence to treatment 7.

Dosage and Administration

• The recommended dosage of Qvar varies depending on the patient population and the specific formulation used 3, 4, 6.
• Qvar can be administered once or twice daily, depending on the specific formulation and the patient's response to treatment 4.