Qvar

What are Qvar inhalers?

Qvar is a brand of brown preventer inhaler from Teva.

The active ingredient in Qvar is beclometasone dipropionate.

Brown preventer inhalers, such as Qvar, are used daily to prevent asthmatic symptoms such as:

• Breathlessness
• Chest tightness
• Coughing
• Wheezing

You should not use Qvar as a rescue or reliever inhaler. Unlike a reliever, such as Ventolin, it takes a few days of using Qvar for the medicine to build up in the system and reach its efficacy.

Qvar is available as an aerosol inhaler with a pressurised canister, an autohaler, or an Easi-Breathe inhaler.

The autohaler is activated when you inhale through the mouthpiece. These make it easier to administer your dose of Qvar without having to time your breathing with pressing the canister down.

The Easi-Breathe inhaler is an automatic inhaler. Similar to the autohaler, the Easi-Breathe inhaler is actuated by inhaling through the mouthpiece.

Qvar inhalers are available in strengths of 50 mcg and 100 mcg.

How do Qvar inhalers work?

The active ingredient in Qvar is a corticosteroid called beclometasone dipropionate.

This ingredient works to reduce inflammation in the airways (bronchoconstriction) and prevent asthma attacks. These attacks can be brought on by triggers such as:

• Animal dander
• Cigarette smoke
• Dust
• Infections
• Pollen
• Pollution
• Stress and anxiety
• Weather

When the body is exposed to a trigger (antigen), the body's immune system responds by releasing chemicals to fight it. These chemicals cause inflammation in the airways, making it difficult to breathe.

Beclometasone stops these cells from releasing these inflammatory chemicals. This allows your airways to remain open, making it easier to breathe.

Due to the way this medicine works, it is ineffective at relieving asthmatic symptoms during the onset of an asthma attack. Preventer inhalers are often prescribed in conjunction with a reliever inhaler, such as Ventolin, to manage the symptoms of an asthma attack.

How long does it take Qvar to work?

Generally, you can expect to see an improvement in your symptoms within 1 to 2 weeks of starting treatment. However, it may take up to 3 or 4 weeks to feel the full benefits.

When used regularly, Qvar effectively prevents symptoms of asthma such as wheezing and coughing.

If you do not notice any improvement after the first week of using your Qvar inhaler, speak to your doctor.

How to use Qvar inhalers?

Qvar is typically administered twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. This provides effective coverage during the day and during sleep, to prevent acute asthma symptoms.

Always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor when using Qvar inhalers.

Qvar is available in three types of inhalers:

• Autohaler
• Easi-breathe inhaler
• Metered dose inhaler

When using your inhaler, it is important to sit or stand in an upright position. This helps the medicine reach your lungs more effectively.

Before taking your dose, gently exhale until you feel ready to inhale again.

Your doctor or asthma nurse may wish to review your technique, as using the inhaler incorrectly can impact the effectiveness of the medicine.

If you have not used your inhaler for two weeks or more, test it by removing the mouthpiece cover and spraying two puffs into the air away from your face.

Autohalers

View the patient information leaflet for Qvar Autohaler online.

To use an Autohaler, follow the steps below.

1. Shake the inhaler well before each use.
2. Remove the plastic cap from the mouthpiece, ensuring the inhaler is in an upright position.
3. Push the tab at the top of the inhaler to an upright position.
4. Place the inhaler between your teeth and ensure your lips have a tight seal around the mouthpiece.
5. Breathe in deeply but steadily. Continue breathing in when you hear the click.
6. Hold your breath for 10 seconds before gently breathing out.
7. To take another dose, shake your inhaler well, push the tab up and breathe in through the mouthpiece as before.
8. When you have finished using your inhaler, replace the cap on the mouthpiece.

Easi-breathe inhaler

Read the patient information leaflet for Qvar Easi-Breathe Inhalers online.

To use your Easi-Breathe inhaler, take the following steps:

1. Shake the inhaler well before each dose.
2. Flip the mouthpiece's cap down, ensuring the inhaler is in an upright position.
3. Place the inhaler between your teeth and ensure your lips have a tight seal around the mouthpiece.
4. Breathe in deeply but steadily. Continue breathing in when you hear the click.
5. Hold your breath for 10 seconds before gently breathing out.
6. Flip the cover of the mouthpiece back up after each puff.
7. To take another dose, ensure the mouthpiece cover has been flipped up. Shake the inhaler, flip the cover down, put the mouthpiece between your teeth, ensuring an airtight seal with your lips, and breathe in deeply and steadily.
8. Always remember to flip the cap up when you have finished using your Easi-Breathe inhaler.

Metered dose inhaler (MDI) aerosol

Read the patient information leaflet for Qvar MDI Aerosol Inhaler online.

To use your metered dose inhaler, follow the steps below:

1. Shake the inhaler well before each use.
2. Remove the cap of the mouthpiece.
3. Place the mouthpiece between your teeth and ensure your lips provide an airtight seal around the mouthpiece. Do not bite down on the mouthpiece.
4. Press the canister of the inhaler down while simultaneously breathing in deeply and steadily. It is essential that your timing is precise when using this type of inhaler, as inhaling too early or too late can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine.
5. Hold your breath for 10 seconds after each puff, then breathe out slowly.
6. To take another dose, shake your inhaler, place the mouthpiece between your teeth, ensuring your lips provide an airtight seal around the mouthpiece, and simultaneously press the canister and breathe in deeply.
7. Once you have taken your dose, place the cap back over the mouthpiece.

What should I do if I forget to take Qvar?

If you accidentally forget to take Qvar when you should, take it as soon as you remember.

If it is near the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue using your inhaler as normal.

Do not take a double dose of Qvar to make up for a missed dose.

What should I do if I take too much Qvar?

Do not take more than the recommended dose.

Using your inhaler more than recommended can increase your risk of developing side effects.

If you accidentally take more Qvar than you should, speak to your doctor right away.

Qvar side effects and cautions

Before using Qvar, it is essential to read the accompanying patient information leaflet. The patient information leaflet contains useful information about taking, storing and disposing of the medicine.

If you have any concerns about any of the information you read within the patient information leaflet, don't hesitate to ask your doctor or a pharmacist about it.

All medicines carry the risk of side effects, though not everybody experiences them. It is essential to understand and recognise the potential side effects associated with your medication.

Possible side effects of Qvar include:

• A sore mouth
• Change in sense of taste
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing, accompanied by earache, swollen glands, and sore throat (pharyngitis)
• Feeling dizzy or faint
• Feeling sick
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Oral thrush (white spots in your mouth and throat)
• Tremor
• Wheezing

This is not a complete list of side effects. A full list of side effects associated with Qvar can be found within the patient information leaflet.

Speak to your doctor or a pharmacist if you experience any side effects from taking Qvar.

If you experience wheezing or chest tightness immediately after taking Qvar, do not take any more Qvar. Use your reliever inhaler to relieve your symptoms and contact your doctor immediately.

If you experience any of the following, continue using Qvar but speak to your doctor as soon as possible:

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Allergic reaction

How do I stay safe while taking Qvar?

Always read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine before taking it.

Always take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose without consulting your doctor first.

Do not abruptly stop using your inhaler, even if you feel well.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Qvar while pregnant or breastfeeding?

If you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before taking Qvar.

How do I store Qvar?

Always keep medicines, such as Qvar, out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store the medicine in an environment that exceeds 25 °C. Avoid storing Qvar in direct sunlight.

Protect the medicine from frost.

Do not puncture or burn the canister, even if it seems to be empty.

Does Qvar cause oral thrush?

Corticosteroids, such as the active ingredient in Qvar, have been reported to increase the risk of oral thrush.

Oral thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth which causes white patches on the tongue, roof of the mouth, and inside the cheeks.

To prevent oral thrush, rinse out your mouth with mouthwash or brush your teeth after taking Qvar. Do not swallow the rinse.

Speak to your doctor if you develop oral thrush, so they can prescribe an appropriate treatment.

Can Qvar be taken with Albuterol?

Yes. It is common to be prescribed both a preventer inhaler and a reliever inhaler.

Is Qvar the same as Clenil Modulite?

While Qvar and Clenil both contain the same active ingredient, beclometasone dipropionate, they are not interchangeable due to differences in dosages.

According to the BNF, Qvar is approximately twice as strong as Clenil Modulite.

Only take medicines prescribed to you and don't mix brands of medicines, even if they appear to be the same.

Before changing the medicine prescribed to you, speak to your doctor.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Qvar?

Yes - alcohol does not interact with Qvar.

However, alcohol consumption should be reduced or avoided if it triggers your asthma.

Is it safe to drive after taking Qvar?

Qvar should not affect your ability to drive.

However, if you experience any side effects that may impair your driving, such as dizziness or faintness, you should avoid driving, cycling, or operating machinery.

Speak to your doctor for advice.

Can I buy Qvar inhalers online?

You can buy Qvar inhalers online from our online private prescription service.

If the doctor approves your order before 3pm, our UK pharmacy will dispense your order and dispatch it via a tracked next-day delivery service.

All our medicines are delivered in discreet packaging, and do not indicate their contents.

Sources

NHS, 2020. Beclometasone inhalers