QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol
QVAR Delivers Asthma Medication to More of Your Lungs' Airways

About QVAR®, a Long-Term Control Medicine for Asthma

A small-particle inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for everyday use

QVAR® works to control asthma by delivering medication directly to inflamed airways in the lungs. And QVAR® delivers more medicine where it needs to be—up to 53% of the dose from the QVAR inhaler makes it to the lungs vs. only 13% for a competing inhaler.*1

QVAR® is a small-particle ICS, which means the medicine can reach small airways in your lungs. This means more medicine can get to more of the airways in your lungs. QVAR® is the only small-particle ICS medication indicated for children as young as 5 years old.

For patients with asthma and parents of children with asthma, getting the most out of an asthma control inhaler is a must. There are specific instructions for cleaning and use of the QVAR® inhaler that can help ensure the inhaler works right. Forgetting to take your asthma control medication every day, or stopping when you don't have symptoms, can put you at risk for asthma attacks. And remember, if you have persistent asthma, you should always carry a quick-relief inhaler in addition to your controller medication. Speak to your doctor about QVAR® and about developing an asthma action plan that is best for you.
QVAR® (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in the maintenance treatment of asthma as prophylactic therapy in patients 5 years of age or older. QVAR® is also indicated for asthma patients who require systemic corticosteroid administration, where adding QVAR® may reduce or eliminate the need for systemic corticosteroids.

Important Safety Information


QVAR® does not replace fast-acting (rescue) inhalers for sudden symptoms.

CAUTION: If you are switching from an oral corticosteroid to QVAR®, follow your doctor's instructions to avoid health risks when you stop using oral corticosteroids (See WARNINGS, Prescribing Information).

Inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth rate. The long-term effect on final adult growth is unknown.

In clinical studies, common side effects included headache and pharyngitis.

Do not stop taking QVAR® abruptly without talking to your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

*The importance of how well QVAR® works due to better delivery of medication to the lungs has not been established.

Reference
  1. Leach CL, Davidson PJ, Hasselquist BE, Boudreau RJ. Lung deposition of hydrofluoroalkane-134a beclomethasone is greater than that of chlorofluorocarbon fluticasone and chlorofluorocarbon beclomethasone: a cross-over study in healthy volunteers. Chest. 2002;122:510-516.
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