Qvar Aerosol 50 micrograms per actuation pressurised inhalation solution. – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. What Qvar Aerosol is and what it is used for

Qvar Aerosol contains beclometasone dipropionate, which is one of a group of medicines known as corticosteroids.

Qvar Aerosol is used to prevent the symptoms of mild, moderate, or severe asthma, in patients who require regular treatment.

How your medicine works

• Qvar Aerosol works deep in your lungs to

  make breathing easier by reducing the inflammation, swelling and irritation in the airways. This type of medicine is known as a ‘preventer’. It needs to be taken regularly every day, even if you have no symptoms.

• This inhaler will not give immediate relief

  of wheezing or breathlessness during a sudden asthma attack. You will need to use a ‘reliever’ inhaler, which contains a different medicine. You should still continue to use this inhaler.

2. What you need to know before you use Qvar Aerosol

Do not use Qvar Aerosol if you are:

• allergic to beclometasone dipropionate or

  any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)

• allergic to other similar inhalers

• suffering from a sudden attack of

  breathlessness. It will not help. Use a quick-acting ‘reliever’ inhaler for this purpose and carry it with you at all times.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before using Qvar Aerosol if:

• you are suffering from tuberculosis (TB)

  now or have suffered from it in the past

  • you must avoid alcohol for any reason

  • your asthma seems to be getting worse.

    Perhaps you are more wheezy and short of breath than usual, your ‘reliever’ inhaler seems to be less effective, you require more puffs from your ‘reliever’ inhaler than usual, or you do not seem to be getting better. Your doctor may need to increase the dose of your steroid inhaler or give you a course of steroid tablets or change your treatment altogether. If you have had an infection in your chest your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics.

  • when transferring from steroid tablets to

    an inhaler you find that, even if your chest is getting better, you feel generally unwell, you develop a rash, eczema or a runny nose and sneezing (rhinitis). Do not stop treatment with your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to.

Important points to remember while you are using this medicine:

• Your doctor may prescribe this inhaler to

  replace steroid tablets, which may mean for a short time you have to take both medicines. It is important to follow your doctor’s advice. Whilst you are reducing the number of steroid tablets that you take you may feel generally unwell even though you can breathe as well as normal or better. If you have other allergies, you may find that stopping your steroid tablets makes them worse. If this happens. keep using your inhaler and tell your doctor.

• If you have been treated for a long time

  with high doses of inhaled steroid, you may require a course of steroid tablets or possibly a steroid injection in times of

  stress. For example, during admission to hospital after a serious accident, before an operation, during an acute attack of asthma or if you have a chest infection or other serious illness. Your doctor will decide if you need any extra steroid treatment and will also advise you as to how long you need to take the course of steroid tablets and how you should reduce these as you get better.

  • There may be times when you need to

    take steroid tablets as well as using your inhaler, for example if you have worsening asthma attacks, you get a chest infection or you need an operation. Your doctor may give you a small supply of steroid tablets to be taken in these situations; if he/she does, you will be given full instructions on how and when to take them. Contact your doctor immediately if you think that you need to take steroid tablets, even if you have your own supply.

  • You should have been given a steroid card

    with this inhaler; if you have not, please ask your pharmacist for one. Make sure you carry your steroid card with you at all times until your doctor decides that it is no longer necessary.

  • Visit your doctor regularly for a review of

    your condition.

  • If you have to go into hospital, remember

    to take all your inhalers and other medicines including those bought without prescription with you.

  • Contact your doctor if you experience

    blurred vision or other visual

    disturbances.

    Other medicines and Qvar Aerosol

    • Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if

      you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including any medicines obtained without a prescription.

In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking:

• disulfiram
• metronidazole.

Some medicines may increase the effects of Qvar Aerosol and your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking these medicines (including some medicines for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat).

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Qvar Aerosol is not known to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Information about some of the ingredients of Qvar Aerosol:

Qvar Aerosol contains a small amount of alcohol. Talk to your doctor if you need to avoid alcohol for any reason.

Qvar Aerosol contains ethanol

This medicine contains 4.74 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each puff. The amount in one puff of this medicine is equivalent to less than 1 ml beer or 1 ml wine.

The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects.

3. How to use Qvar Aerosol

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

There are two strengths of Qvar aerosol available and your doctor will have chosen the strength which best suits your condition.

This inhaler has a softer feel and a different taste than other inhalers you may have used before. This inhaler is an extra fine aerosol which results in more of each dose being delivered to your lungs. Your doctor may, therefore, prescribe a lower dose of this inhaler than your previously used inhaler.

Even when your doctor has prescribed a lower dose you may find that the number of puffs you are asked to take from this inhaler is the same as from your previous inhaler; this is because this inhaler may be a lower strength product (which means that each puff of this inhaler contains less beclometasone dipropionate than your old inhaler).

Do not take more puffs than your doctor has told you to. In some circumstances, your doctor may prescribe more than the usual number of puffs. The usual number of puffs to take is:

Qvar Aerosol 50 micrograms

Adults (including the elderly) and adolescents over 12 years

• Mild Asthma

  The starting dose is one puff twice a day.

  This may be increased up to two puffs twice a day.

• Moderate Asthma

  The starting dose is two puffs twice a

  day. This may be increased up to four puffs twice a day.

• Severe Asthma

  The starting dose is four puffs twice a

  day. This may be increased up to eight puffs twice a day.

  The maximum dose is a total of sixteen puffs a day.

  Qvar Aerosol 100 micrograms

  Adults (including the elderly) and adolescents over 12 years

  • Mild Asthma

    The Qvar Aerosol 100 micrograms device

    is not suitable for the starting dose. It is suitable for an increased dose of one puf twice a day.

  • Moderate Asthma

    The starting dose is one puff twice a day

    This may be increased to two puffs twice a day.

  • Severe Asthma

    The starting dose is two puffs twice a

    day. This may be increased up to four puffs twice a day.

The maximum dose is a total of eight puffs a day.

Children aged 5 years and over

The starting dose is one puff of Qvar Aerosol 50 micrograms twice a day.

Children with well-controlled asthma on dose of up to 400 micrograms per day of other beclometasone dipropionate inhalers or equivalent may be titrated to a dose of 50-100 micrograms twice daily of Qvar.

Qvar Aerosol 100 micrograms would not normally be recommended in this age group. However, during periods of deterioration in asthma control, the dose may be increased to 200 micrograms per day in two divided doses The dose should be reduced to the minimum needed to maintain effective control of asthma.

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What to do if you think your treatment is not working

If you think your usual treatment is not working, for example your symptoms are not getting better, or are getting worse, or you need to use more puffs from your reliever inhaler, or if your reliever inhaler does not seem to be working as well as usual, or your peak flow falls, please tell your doctor. Your asthma may be getting worse.

If you use more Qvar Aerosol than you should

It is important that you take your dose as stated on the pharmacist’s label, or as advised by your doctor. You should not increase or decrease your dose without seeking medical advice.

If you accidentally take more puffs than recommended, please tell your doctor.

If you forget to use Qvar Aerosol

If you forget to use this inhaler at your usual time, take your recommended number of puffs as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time to use your inhaler again. DO NOT take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Then continue to use your inhaler regularly at the correct time, as prescribed by your doctor.

If you stop using Qvar Aerosol

This inhaler must be used regularly, even when you feel well. You must not stop using your inhaler unless your doctor tells you to. Ask your doctor for a prescription for a replacement inhaler before this one is empty. If your doctor decides to stop treatment, return the inhaler to your doctor or pharmacist for safe disposal.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Using Qvar Aerosol

Before use

• If this is a new inhaler or if you have not

  used your inhaler for two weeks or more, it must be tested before use by removing the mouthpiece cover and pressing down on the canister inside the inhaler. Release two puffs into the air, away from

  you.

How to use your inhaler

1. 1.

   Take the cover off

   the mouthpiece.

2. 2.

   Breathe out as far as

   is comfortable and

   then immediately

   place the

   mouthpiece in your

   mouth and close

   your lips around it.

   1

   2

   1. 3.

      Start to breathe in

      slowly and deeply

      through your mouth

      and press down on

      the canister inside

      the inhaler as

      shown. This releases

      one puff of

      medicine. It is

      important that you

      carry on breathing in

      after the puff is

      released.

   2. 4.

      Hold your breath for

      10 seconds, then

      breathe out slowly.

      If your doctor has

      prescribed more than

      one puff, repeat

      steps 2 to 4 again.

      After use, replace

      the cover on the

      mouthpiece.

   3. •

      Some people including children and the elderly find it difficult to press their inhaler and breathe in at the same time.

      A spacer device helps to overcome this

      problem. The spacer that fits Qvar Aeroso is called the AeroChamber Plus® spacer device. If you use the AeroChamber Plus® spacer device, please follow the instructions provided with it. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to advise you about the AeroChamber Plus® device. Alternatively, your doctor may wish to prescribe the Qvar Autohaler® device which automatically releases a puff of medication as you breathe in.

      3

      4

      l

      How to tell when the Qvar Aerosol device is empty

      When the canister is completely empty you will not feel or hear any propellant being discharged.

      Cleaning instructions

      For normal hygiene, the mouthpiece of your inhaler should be cleaned weekly with a clean, dry tissue or cloth. You should also rinse your mouth with water after using your inhaler.

      Do not wash or put any part of your inhaler in water.

      If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

If immediately after taking a puff of this inhaler, you feel wheezy or tight-chested, do not take any more puffs. Use your reliever inhaler to help your breathing and contact your doctor immediately.

Stop using your inhaler and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital if the following happens:

• an allergic reaction (swelling of the lips,

  face or neck leading to severe difficulty in breathing; skin rash or hives).

This is a very serious but rare side effect. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Treatment with Qvar Aerosol may affect the normal production of corticosteroids in the

body, your doctor may take a blood sample from time to time to check on this.

Keep using your inhaler but see your doctor as soon as possible if you become unwell, particularly with any of the following:

• abdominal pain
• weakness
• vomiting.

This is especially important if you have been exposed to other stress such as other illness, surgery or infection.

The following side effects may also occur in patients taking beclometasone dipropionate. If you experience any of these effects, keep using your inhaler but see your doctor if they last for a while or they are worrying you:

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

• hoarseness

• difficulty in swallowing accompanied by

  earache and swollen glands, sore throat (pharyngitis)

• a sore mouth or thrush (white spots in

  your mouth and throat). These are less likely if you rinse your mouth out with water after using your inhaler. If you get thrush, your doctor may recommend a medicine to treat you.

• change in taste.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• feeling sick
• headache
• tremor (shaking)
• feeling dizzy or faint

• difficulty in breathing, increase in

  wheezing, shortness of breath and cough (bronchospasm)

• blurred vision.

  Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

  • bone thinning

  • clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract)

    resulting in blurred vision

  • loss of vision due to abnormally high

    pressure in the eye may occur

  • rounded face (full moon) (Cushing’s

    syndrome).

The following may also occur, although the frequency is not known: cannot be estimated from the available data

• sleeping problems, depression or feeling

  worried, restless, nervous, over-excited or irritable. These effects are more likely to occur in children.

Children or adolescents who are using the inhaler for a prolonged period may grow more slowly. Your doctor may therefore wish to monitor the height of a child receiving prolonged treatment with Qvar Aerosol.

Reporting of side effects

If you get side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at:

www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Qvar Aerosol

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 25°C. Avoid storage in direct sunlight or heat. Protect from frost. You can use your inhaler at temperatures as low as -10°C.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date that is stated on the outer packaging after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

The canister is pressurised and should not be punctured or burnt even if it seems empty.

Do not throw any medicines via wastewater or household waste. If your doctor decides to stop treatment, return the inhaler to your doctor or pharmacist for safe disposal. These measures will help to protect the

environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Qvar Aerosol does not contain CFCs, the inhaler contains a hydrofluoroalkane (called propellant HFA-134a or norflurane) as an inactive ingredient. Hydrofluoroalkanes have been developed as a replacement for CFCs.

What Qvar Aerosol contains

• The active ingredient is beclometasone

  dipropionate.

  Qvar Aerosol 50 micrograms delivers

  50 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate per puff.

  Qvar Aerosol 100 micrograms delivers

  100 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate per puff.

• The other ingredients are HFA-134a

  (norflurane) and ethanol.

• This medicine contains fluorinated

  greenhouse gases.

Qvar Aerosol 50 micrograms per actuation Pressurised Inhalation, Solution Container with 100 puffs:

• Each inhaler contains 7.72 g of norflurane

  (HFA-134a) corresponding to 0.01104

  tonne CO2 equivalent (global warming potential GWP = 1430).

  Container with 200 puffs:

  • Each inhaler contains 13.14 g of

    norflurane (HFA-134a) corresponding to 0.01879 tonne CO2 equivalent (global warming potential GWP = 1430).

Qvar Aerosol 100 micrograms per actuation Pressurised Inhalation, Solution Container with 100 puffs:

• Each inhaler contains 7.71 g of norflurane

  (HFA-134a) corresponding to 0.01103 tonne CO2 equivalent (global warming potential GWP = 1430).

Container with 200 puffs:

• Each inhaler contains 13.13 g of

  norflurane (HFA-134a) corresponding to 0.01878 tonne CO2 equivalent (global warming potential GWP = 1430).

What Qvar Aerosol 50 micrograms and 100 micrograms per actuation

Pressurised Inhalation, Solution looks like and contents of the pack:

• Qvar Aerosol is a pressurised canister

  closed with a metering valve.

• Each inhaler contains 100 or 200 puffs.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder: Teva UK Limited, Ridings Point, Whistler Drive, Castleford, WF10 5HX, United Kingdom

Manufacturer: Kindeva Drug Delivery Limited, Derby Road, Loughborough, LE11 5SF, United Kingdom.

This leaflet was last revised in February 2026.

PL 00289/1371 and PL 00289/1372

For further information about asthma, contact Asthma UK, the independent UK charity working to conquer asthma: Asthma UK, The White Chapel Building, Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 8QS Asthma Helpline: 0300 222 5800 (Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm).

AeroChamber Plus™ is a registered trademark of Trudell Medical International.

Autohaler is a trademark of Kindeva Drug Delivery Limited and used under licence.

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