Beclometasone + formoterol at a glance
Medicine class
Inhaled corticosteroid plus long-acting beta2 agonist bronchodilator.
Licensed users
Adults with asthma; selected NEXThaler products are additionally licensed for specified adults with severe COPD and repeated exacerbations.
After inhaling
Rinse or gargle with water and spit it out, or brush your teeth, to reduce mouth and throat effects.
What is Beclometasone + formoterol used for?
Licensed uses depend on the product and inhaler device.
Asthma in adults when both an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2 agonist are appropriate.
Selected NEXThaler products are also licensed for symptomatic treatment of adults with severe COPD, repeated exacerbations and significant symptoms despite regular long-acting bronchodilator therapy.
Some lower-strength products may be prescribed for both maintenance and symptom relief. The selected Fostair pressurised 200/6 product is maintenance-only and requires a separate rapid-acting reliever.
How does Beclometasone + formoterol work?
Beclometasone reduces airway inflammation through glucocorticoid pathways. Formoterol stimulates beta2 receptors in airway smooth muscle, relaxing and opening the airways within minutes and providing a prolonged bronchodilator effect.
Beclometasone + formoterol preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 100 micrograms + 6 micrograms/actuation, 200 micrograms + 6 micrograms/actuation
How to take Beclometasone + formoterol
Follow the treatment plan for your exact product because not every strength or device is suitable for reliever use. Food does not affect inhaled administration.
Have a clinician or pharmacist check your inhaler technique regularly.
For the pressurised inhaler, sit or stand upright, breathe out, then inhale slowly and deeply while pressing the canister. An AeroChamber Plus spacer may be used if coordination is difficult.
For NEXThaler, keep it dry, open it only when ready, breathe out away from it, then inhale forcefully and deeply through the mouthpiece. Close it and check that the counter has decreased.
Do not breathe out into either device. Rinse, gargle or brush your teeth afterwards.
Continue maintenance treatment when symptom-free. Do not stop abruptly without prescriber advice.
Beclometasone + formoterol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sore throat or pharyngitis
- Oral thrush
- Hoarse voice
- Headache
- Tremor, particularly reported with NEXThaler
- Pneumonia in people treated for COPD
Get urgent medical advice
- Immediate worsening of wheeze, cough or breathlessness after inhalation: use a fast-acting reliever and obtain urgent medical assessment.
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, severe breathing difficulty or collapse: call 999.
- Marked palpitations, chest pain or fainting require urgent assessment.
- Persistent blurred vision or other visual disturbance should be assessed promptly.
- Severe weakness, vomiting, dizziness, fainting or reduced consciousness may indicate adrenal insufficiency and need urgent assessment.
Beclometasone + formoterol in pregnancy
Good asthma control is important during pregnancy. Do not stop prescribed inhalers without advice. Inhaled beclometasone can be used during pregnancy, but data for this specific combination are limited. The prescriber should review benefits and risks, particularly near labour because formoterol may affect uterine contractions.
Beclometasone + formoterol while breastfeeding
Inhaled corticosteroids produce very low maternal blood levels and are considered compatible with breastfeeding. Necessary asthma treatment can continue, although direct data for this combination are limited. Seek individual review if the baby is premature or unwell, or feeding concerns arise.
Beclometasone + formoterol interactions
Tell the prescriber and pharmacist about all medicines, including eye drops and non-prescription products.
Beta-blockers, including beta-blocker eye drops
May reduce or abolish formoterol's bronchodilator effect and provoke bronchospasm; generally avoid in asthma unless there is a compelling reason.
Other beta-adrenergic medicines or theophylline
May add to effects such as tremor, palpitations or cardiovascular stimulation.
Common questions about Beclometasone + formoterol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is this a steroid inhaler?
Yes. Beclometasone is an inhaled corticosteroid; formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator.
Can it be used as a reliever?
Some lower-strength products can be prescribed for both maintenance and symptom relief. Not every product can: the selected Fostair pressurised 200/6 inhaler is maintenance-only.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.