Beclometasone nasal (nose) spray is used to treat cold-like symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis. This is an inflammation of the inside of your nose that can be brought on by hay fever.

Beclometasone (sometimes written as "beclomethasone") is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid (or steroid). Corticosteroids are a copy of a substance the body makes naturally. They are not the same as anabolic steroids.

Beclometasone nasal spray is available on prescription for adults and children. Adults can buy it from pharmacies and supermarkets.

Beclometasone also comes as:

• an inhaler – for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• cream and ointment – for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
• tablets – for ulcerative colitis

• You need to use beclometasone nasal spray regularly for it to work.
• It works by reducing swelling and irritation in your nose.
• The most common side effects are an unpleasant taste or smell, and a dry or sore throat.
• Do not give this nasal spray to children under the age of 6 years.
• If you're pregnant, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist before buying beclometasone nasal spray at a pharmacy or supermarket.

Most adults and children over the age of 6 years can use beclometasone nasal spray.

Beclometasone is not suitable for some people. To make sure this nasal spray is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to beclometasone or any other medicines
• are taking or have recently taken other corticosteroid medicines
• have had nose surgery
• have an infection in your nose
• are pregnant or trying to get pregnant

Beclometasone nasal spray needs to be used regularly for it to work.

You'll generally use the spray twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. The usual dose is 1 or 2 sprays into each nostril.

Follow the instructions that come with your medicine. Do not use more than 4 sprays per nostril in 24 hours.

If you're using a new bottle, it may not work first time. Pump the spray a few times until a fine mist comes out. You'll also need to do this if you have not used the bottle for a few days.

Remove the cap and gently shake the bottle.

1. Blow your nose gently.
2. Close 1 nostril by pressing your finger against the side of your nose.
3. Bend your head forward slightly and carefully put the nozzle into your other nostril.
4. Slowly breathe in through your nose and with your fingers press down on the widest part of the nozzle to squirt the spray once into your nostril.
5. Breathe out through your mouth.
6. Follow steps 3 and 4 again to squirt a second spray into the same nostril if you need it.

Repeat the process with the other nostril, if you need it.

After using your spray, wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue and replace the cap.

Will my dose go up or down?

Once your symptoms are under control, you can use your nasal spray less often. For example, you might go from using 2 sprays twice a day, to 1 spray twice a day.

If you bought a beclometasone nasal spray from a pharmacy, stop using it when you think you no longer need it. Ask your pharmacist for advice if you're not sure when to stop. Do not use it continuously for more than 1 month without speaking to your doctor.

If your symptoms get worse after reducing your dose, you may want to increase it again.

If you have beclometasone nasal spray on prescription, your doctor will tell you how often to use the nasal spray and when to change your dose.

What if I forget to use it?

If you forget to use your spray, use it as soon as you remember. Unless it's almost time for your next dose, in which case skip the missed dose and take your next one as usual.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I use too much?

Using too much beclometasone nasal spray by accident is unlikely to harm you.

Like all medicines, beclometasone can cause side effects although not everyone gets them.

With beclometasone nasal spray, very little medicine is absorbed into the rest of the body, so it's not likely to give you side effects.

Common side effects

These common side effects can happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Keep taking the medicine but talk to your doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

• sneezing
• dry or sore throat, or hoarse voice
• unpleasant taste or smell
• dry or sore nose, or nosebleeds

Serious side effects

Very few people have serious side effects when using beclometasone nasal spray.

You are more likely to have a serious side effect if you use beclometasone for more than a few months or take a high dose.

Tell a doctor straight away if you get:

• problems with your breathing, damage to your nose or sores inside your nose
• changes in your eyesight, such as blurred vision or a cloudy lens in the eye – these can be signs of increased pressure in your eyes (glaucoma) or a cataract

Serious allergic reaction

It happens rarely but it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to beclometasone.

These are not all the side effects of beclometasone. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

What to do about:

• sneezing – this will usually settle down as you get used to the medicine
• dry or sore throat, or hoarse voice – rinse your mouth out with water or brush your teeth after you use your nasal spray to help prevent this
• unpleasant taste or smell – rinse your mouth with water or have a drink of water
• dry or sore nose, or nosebleeds – stop using your nasal spray for a few days, then start again. Speak to your doctor or a pharmacist if these side effects do not go away

Beclometasone and pregnancy

There's no clear evidence that beclometasone will harm your baby. For safety your doctor will only prescribe beclometasone in pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. They will prescribe the lowest dose that works for you.

Speak to your doctor or a pharmacist before buying beclometasone nasal spray at a pharmacy or supermarket.

For more information about how using a steroid nasal spray might affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet on treating allergic rhinitis on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPs) website.

Beclometasone and breastfeeding

It's generally OK to use beclometasone nasal spray while breastfeeding.

However, always check with your doctor first. Your baby may need extra monitoring if you use high doses of the nasal spray.

Some medicines and beclometasone interfere with each other and this can increase your chance of side effects. It may mean you need to change your dose of beclometasone.

Check with a pharmacist or your doctor if you're taking:

• medicines used to treat HIV such as ritonavir or cobicistat
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin for pain relief
• other medicines that contain steroids such as eczema creams, asthma inhalers, tablets, injections, eye or nose drops, and other nasal sprays

Mixing beclometasone with herbal remedies or supplements

There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements while taking or using beclometasone. Ask a pharmacist for advice.