QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol
Asthma Symptoms and Causes

Symptoms and Causes of Persistent Asthma

Asthma is common in children and adults

Asthma is a disease that makes it hard to breathe. Asthma affects your airways (the tubes that carry air into your lungs). Asthma causes the airways to become narrow or blocked when you have an attack (or "exacerbation").1

Inflammation from ashtma attacks cause airways of the lung to become narrow or blocked

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Not everyone with asthma has the same symptoms. In fact, many people who have asthma don't even know it. Some common symptoms of asthma include:1
  • A whistling or wheezing sound when you breathe
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness or pain
If you have some of these symptoms, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Asthma and inflammation

People with asthma have airways that are irritated (or "inflamed"). The inflamed airways become narrower and are more sensitive to asthma triggers like smoke, pollen, or exercise. By reducing the inflammation in your airways with a long-term control medication for asthma, you can reduce the chance of having an asthma attack.

Reference
  1. NHLBI Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm. Accessed April 20, 2010.
QVAR® 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.

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