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GSK / Beconase
How does it work?
This medicine contains the active ingredient beclometasone dipropionate (previously spelt beclomethasone in the UK), which is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid (or steroid). Corticosteroids are hormones that are produced naturally by the adrenal glands and have many important functions, including control of inflammatory responses.
Beclometasone is a synthetic corticosteroid and is used as a nasal spray to decrease inflammation in the nasal passages.
People who suffer from nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis) such as hayfever tend to experience a variety of symptoms as a result of their allergy, including a runny, itchy or blocked nose, sneezing and sinus discomfort. These symptoms are a result of inflammation in the nasal passages.
The nasal inflammation occurs when the nasal passages are exposed to foreign particles (allergens), for example, pollen, dust mites or pet fur. The allergens cause the cells in the nose to release chemicals that help to produce immune and allergic responses. These result in inflammation in the nasal passages and the symptoms of the allergy.
When administered into the nose, beclometasone is absorbed into the cells of the nasal passages. Here it works by preventing the cells from releasing the chemicals
that trigger the allergic response. This stops the allergic reaction from happening so the nasal inflammation is reduced and the symptoms relieved.
The nasal spray will not relieve the symptoms of nasal allergies immediately, and can take two to three days to have its full effect. It is therefore most effective to start using the nasal spray two to three days before you expect to get symptoms, for example before the start of the pollen season, or if you know you are going to be in contact with pets that give you the allergy. For maximum benefit the spray should be used regularly to keep the nasal inflammation under control.
Beclometasone nasal spray can be bought over-the-counter from pharmacies (eg Beconase hayfever) for the prevention and treatment of all nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis), including hayfever and pet allergies, in adults aged over 18 years. It can also be bought from general retail outlets such as supermarkets, but these more widely available products (eg Beconase hayfever relief for adults) are only licensed specifically for the treatment of hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis).
Beclometasone nasal spray can also be prescribed by your doctor. See the Beclometasone nasal spray (prescription-only) factsheet for further information.
What is it used for?
- Relief from symptoms of hayfever (seasonal allergic rhinitis)
- Treatment and prevention of allergic rhinitis (this use only applies to nasal sprays bought over-the-counter from pharmacies)
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