About beclometasone inhalers

Beclometasone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (also called a corticosteroid). It's mainly used for asthma, but also sometimes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Steroids closely copy the effects of natural hormones produced in your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are above your kidneys.

Steroid inhalers work as a preventer by calming down your immune system. This reduces the swelling in your lungs that makes it difficult to breathe.

You can take beclometasone using an inhaler (sometimes called a "puffer"), which is usually brown or beige, or sometimes red or pink. This is called a "preventer" inhaler because it helps to prevent you from getting symptoms.

Beclometasone on its own does not work as a reliever (to relieve any symptoms when you get them). It cannot treat an asthma attack when you suddenly get coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.

Some inhalers contain beclometasone mixed with other medicines that help your breathing (bronchodilators).

A beclometasone inhaler containing formoterol (brand names include Fostair, Luforbec and Bibecfo) may be used as both a preventer and a reliever for asthma.

Beclometasone also comes as

• nose spray (nasal spray) – for hay fever and cold-like symptoms caused by common allergies (rhinitis)
• cream and ointment – for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
• tablets – for ulcerative colitis