QVAR (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol

FAR-REACHING
ASTHMA CONTROL*

Greater Lung Deposition With QVAR®

QVAR® is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with a mean particle size of 1.1 µm—smaller than that of most other ICSs. This small particle size allows QVAR® to reach both the large and small airways of the lungs more effectively than larger-particle ICSs.1-3 To see how lung deposition with QVAR® compares with other inhaled asthma control medications, click the images below.

Particle size and lung deposition - comparison with Flovent® CFC
Particle size and lung deposition - comparison with Advair® CFC
  • QVAR® is evenly distributed throughout the large and small airways, achieving a lung deposition of up to 58%.2
  • Even patients with poor inhaler technique can achieve more than 30% lung deposition.2
  • About 50% of asthma patients use poor inhaler technique.2

Large-particle ICS and ICS/LABA combination products are less likely to reach and treat the small airways, where underlying chronic inflammation may persist.4-6

QVAR® Advair® HFA p-value
Particle size 1.1 µm3 ~2.6 µm4
Lung deposition4 58% 16% 0.023
Throat/gut deposition4 35% 77% 0.008

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® is not a bronchodilator and is not indicated for relief of acute bronchospasm
  • Common side effects associated with the use of QVAR® and placebo in clinical trials include, but are not limited to, headache (12% and 9%, respectively) and pharyngitis (8% and 4%, respectively)
CAUTION: Adrenal insufficiency may occur when transferring patients from systemic steroids (see WARNINGS, Prescribing Information).
  • A reduction in growth velocity in growing children and teenagers may occur as a result of inadequate control of chronic diseases such as asthma or from use of corticosteroids for treatment

* The relationship of better lung deposition and particle size to clinical efficacy is unknown.

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References

  1. Martin RJ. Therapeutic significance of distal airway inflammation in asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunology. 2002; 109(2):S447-S460.
  2. Leach CL. Effect of formulation parameters on hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone dipropionate drug deposition in humans. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104:S250-S252.
  3. Leach C, Colice GL, Luskin A. Particle size of inhaled corticosteroids: does it matter? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;124:S88-S93.
  4. Data on file. Teva Respiratory, LLC; 2010.
  5. 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.
  6. Gelfand EW, Kraft M. The importance and features of the distal airways in children and adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Dec;124(6 Suppl):S84-7.
  7. Cripps A, Riebe M, Schulze M, Woodhouse R. Pharmaceutical transition to non-CFC pressurized metered dose inhalers. Respir Med. 2000;94(suppl B):S3-S9.
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