Beclometasone Inhaler Dose for Asthma
Beclometasone metered dose inhaler guidance for long-term chronic asthma treatment, including severity-based dosing and inhaler technique.
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Source reviewed
June 2023
Guide category
Oral drugs
Safety boundary
Prescription medicine information for clinician-guided use.
Kenza Health Hub presents this medicine page as structured health education. Check dose, route, interactions, pregnancy or breast-feeding considerations, and local protocol with a qualified clinician or pharmacist. Read our medical editorial policy.
Quick clinical summary
| Item | Summary |
|---|---|
| Drug | Beclometasone metered dose inhaler |
| Class | Inhaled corticosteroid controller medicine |
| Common strengths | 50, 100, or 250 micrograms per puff |
| Route | Inhalation by pressurised metered dose inhaler |
| Key use | Long-term chronic asthma maintenance and symptom control |
| Not for | Immediate relief of an asthma attack |
| Monitoring | Asthma control, inhaler technique, oral thrush, hoarseness, and high-dose steroid effects |
Clinical context from Kenza
The sections below add practical explanation around the source-derived monograph. They are educational context and do not replace local protocols or clinician review.
Controller inhaler vs reliever inhaler
Beclometasone is a controller medicine. It reduces airway inflammation over time and is not designed to give immediate relief during an acute asthma attack.
Micrograms per puff explained
The dose is counted in micrograms delivered per puff. Total daily dose depends on the inhaler strength, number of puffs, frequency, age, asthma severity, and whether it is combined with a long-acting bronchodilator.
Technique is part of the treatment
Poor timing between actuation and inhalation can reduce the medicine reaching the lungs. A spacer can help people who struggle with hand-breath coordination, and mouthpiece cleaning helps maintain reliable use.
Therapeutic action
Steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (inhaled corticosteroid).
Indications
Long-term treatment of chronic asthma, for maintenance and symptomatic treatment, alone or in combination with a beta-2 agonist bronchodilator.
Forms and strengths
Solution or suspension for inhalation in pressurised metered dose inhalers, delivering 50, 100, or 250 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate per puff.
Dosage
Start at the step most appropriate to initial severity. Always try to administer the lowest effective dose.
In all cases, do not exceed 2000 micrograms daily.
| Asthma severity | 6 to 11 years | 12 years and over and adult |
|---|---|---|
| Intermittent asthma | - | Only when symptomatic: 200 to 500 micrograms, in combination with salbutamol |
| Mild persistent asthma | 50 to 100 micrograms (low dose) 2 times daily | 100 to 250 micrograms (low dose) 2 times daily |
| Moderate persistent asthma | 50 to 100 micrograms (low dose) 2 times daily, in combination with salmeterol; or, if salmeterol is not available, 150 to 200 micrograms (medium dose) 2 times daily | 100 to 250 micrograms (low dose) 2 times daily, in combination with salmeterol; or, if salmeterol is not available, 300 to 500 micrograms (medium dose) 2 times daily |
| Severe persistent asthma | 150 to 200 micrograms (medium dose) 2 times daily, in combination with salmeterol | 300 to 500 micrograms (medium dose) 2 times daily, in combination with salmeterol; or, if salmeterol is not available, more than 500 micrograms (high dose) 2 times daily |
Duration
As long as required. Re-evaluate after 2 to 3 months to determine whether doses are adequate or need to be increased or decreased.
Administration technique
- Shake the inhaler and remove the mouthpiece cover.
- Breathe in and breathe out as completely as possible, then place the lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
- Inhale deeply while activating the inhaler, then hold breath for 10 seconds before exhaling.
- If hand-breath coordination is difficult, use a spacer to facilitate administration and improve treatment efficacy.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with untreated respiratory infection.
- May cause throat irritation, hoarseness, and cough at the beginning of treatment; oropharyngeal candidiasis; and adrenal suppression with high doses for prolonged periods.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
- When beclometasone is given with salbutamol, preferably use a combination inhaler. If not available, beclometasone should be inhaled right after salbutamol.
- Relief of symptoms may require several days or weeks of continuous therapy.
- Clean the mouthpiece before and after each use.
- Do not pierce or incinerate used aerosol containers because of explosion risk.
- Also comes in a combination metered dose inhaler with formoterol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Beclometasone metered dose inhaler dose and administration questions
What is beclometasone inhaler used for?
This guide lists beclometasone metered dose inhaler for long-term chronic asthma maintenance and symptomatic treatment, alone or with a beta-2 agonist bronchodilator.
What strengths does beclometasone metered dose inhaler deliver?
The listed inhalers deliver 50, 100, or 250 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate per puff.
How is beclometasone inhaler administered?
The guide says to shake the inhaler, breathe out fully, seal the lips around the mouthpiece, inhale deeply while activating the inhaler, then hold the breath for 10 seconds before exhaling.
What precautions matter with beclometasone inhaler?
The page notes untreated respiratory infection, throat irritation, hoarseness, cough, oropharyngeal candidiasis, possible adrenal suppression at high prolonged doses, and the need to clean the mouthpiece before and after each use.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page combines source-derived medicine reference sections with Kenza editorial context, while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections from the source batch.
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