QVAR® (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Asthma Control Inhaler
QVAR® Inhaler Helps Control Inflammation from Persistent Asthma

How QVAR®, a Controller Medication, Works to Treat Asthma

Asthma is a disease of chronic inflammation of both the large and small airways of the lungs. QVAR® is a small-particle inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) that can treat chronic inflammation caused by asthma.1 Because the particles of the ICS medication delivered by the QVAR® inhaler are small, they can efficiently reach both the large and small airways of the lungs.2-9

Small-particle QVAR® reaches small airways*

Treating inflammation in the lungs is similar to treating inflammation from a rash on your skin. The medicine has to reach the inflamed areas in order to help. Because QVAR® particles are small, they can reach the small airways deep in your lungs.

After you inhale QVAR®, it gets to your airways and reduces the inflammation in your lungs. By treating this underlying cause of asthma, you can reduce your risk of having asthma symptoms.1

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

Importance of treating small airway inflammation

Chronic inflammation can affect the small airways of the lungs.2 If the inflammation is not treated, these small airways may become permanently damaged.2,10 This inflammation may also be associated with asthma attacks and greater difficulty breathing.10

People with asthma often have small airway damage.11 However, anti-inflammatory therapy can effectively reduce the airway inflammation and damage.12,13

Preventing the damage caused by chronic inflammation is important for patients with asthma. Using a long-term asthma control medicine, like QVAR®, that can reach both the large and small airways* to treat the inflammation of persistent asthma can help.

Approved Uses


QVAR® (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Inhalation Aerosol is used in the ongoing treatment of asthma as preventative therapy in patients 5 years of age or older.

QVAR® is also used 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 quick-relief inhalers for sudden symptoms.

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

Inhaled corticosteroids may cause a reduction in growth rate, so children taking QVAR® should have their growth checked regularly. The long-term effect on final adult growth is unknown.

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

In clinical studies, common side effects included headache and sore throat. These are not all of the possible side effects of QVAR®. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

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.

References
  1. QVAR® (beclomethasone dipropionate HFA) Prescribing Information. Teva Respiratory, LLC; 2008.
  2. Martin RJ. Therapeutic significance of distal airway inflammation in asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunology. 2002; 109(2):S447-S460.
  3. 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.
  4. Leach CL. Effect of formulation parameters on hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone dipropionate drug deposition in humans. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104:S250-S252.
  5. Warren S, Taylor T, Smith J, Buck H, Parry-Billings M. Gamma scintigraphic evaluation of a novel budesonide dry powder inhaler using a validated radiolabeling technique. J Aerosol Med. 2002;15(1):15-25.
  6. 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.
  7. Data on file. Teva Respiratory, LLC; 2010.
  8. Leach C, Colice GL, Luskin A. Particle size of inhaled corticosteroids: does it matter? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;124:S88-S93.
  9. Leach CL, Bethke TD, Boudreau RJ, et al. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging show ciclesonide has high lung deposition and peripheral distribution: a nonrandomized study in healthy volunteers. J Aerosol Med. 2006;19(2):117-126.
  10. Hyde DM, Hamid Q, Irvin CG. Anatomy, pathology, and physiology of the tracheobronchial tree: emphasis on the distal airways. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;124:S72-S77.
  11. James AL, Wenzel S. Clinical relevance of airway remodeling in airway diseases. Eur Respir J. 2007;30:134-155.
  12. Backan KS, Greenberger PA, Patterson R. Airway obstruction in patients with long-term asthma consistent with 'irreversible asthma.' Chest. 1997;112:1234-1240.
  13. Agertoft L, Pederson S. Effects of long-term treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid on growth and pulmonary function in asthmatic children. Respir Med. 1994;88:373-381.
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