Comprehensive medication guide to Beclomethasone including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$40–$75 copay on most commercial plans (Tier 3 preferred brand); commercially insured patients can use the Teva Savings Card to pay as little as $15 per fill. Medicare Part D covers Qvar; government insurance patients are not eligible for the Teva savings card.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$306–$414 retail for Qvar RediHaler (10.6g, 120 inhalations); as low as $196–$264 with a GoodRx coupon depending on pharmacy and location. No generic is available; brand-name only until ~2031.
Medfinder Findability Score
55/100
Summarize with AI
On this page
Beclomethasone is a synthetic corticosteroid medication available in several forms: as an inhaled aerosol (Qvar RediHaler) for asthma maintenance, as a nasal spray (Beconase AQ, QNASL) for allergic rhinitis, and as a topical cream for inflammatory skin conditions. It has been prescribed for over 50 years and is a cornerstone of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy for asthma.
The most commonly prescribed form in the United States is Qvar RediHaler — a breath-actuated metered-dose inhaler (BA-MDI) manufactured exclusively by Teva Pharmaceuticals. It is available in 40 mcg and 80 mcg per actuation strengths (10.6g canister, 120 inhalations). Qvar RediHaler is FDA-approved for asthma maintenance in adults and children ages 4 and older.
Beclomethasone is not a rescue medication — it prevents asthma attacks when taken consistently, but will not reverse an attack in progress. Patients should always have a short-acting bronchodilator (rescue inhaler, such as albuterol) available for acute symptoms.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Beclomethasone is a prodrug — it is inhaled as beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and rapidly converted by esterase enzymes in the lung tissue to its active metabolite, beclomethasone-17-monopropionate (17-BMP). This conversion happens locally in the respiratory tract, and 17-BMP has approximately 13 times higher glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity than dexamethasone, making it highly potent while limiting systemic exposure.
Once activated, 17-BMP binds to glucocorticoid receptors in airway cells, suppressing the inflammatory cells (mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils) and blocking the release of inflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines) that cause and maintain airway inflammation in asthma. This reduces airway hypersensitivity and prevents the bronchoconstriction triggered by allergens, exercise, and respiratory infections.
A clinically important distinction: Beclomethasone is metabolized by esterase hydrolysis, NOT by the CYP3A4 liver enzyme pathway. This makes it the preferred inhaled corticosteroid for patients taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ritonavir or cobicistat for HIV), because those drugs cannot cause dangerous Beclomethasone accumulation the way they can with Fluticasone or Budesonide.
40 mcg/actuation — inhalation aerosol (Qvar RediHaler)
For adults and children 5+; starting dose for new ICS users; max 80 mcg BID for ages 5-11
80 mcg/actuation — inhalation aerosol (Qvar RediHaler)
For adults and children 12+; starting or maintenance dose; max 320 mcg BID
42 mcg/spray — nasal spray (Beconase AQ)
For allergic rhinitis in adults and children 6+; 1-2 sprays per nostril twice daily
40 mcg/spray — nasal aerosol (QNASL)
For allergic rhinitis; available in 40 mcg and 80 mcg strengths
As of 2026, Qvar RediHaler is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list, but patients are experiencing intermittent pharmacy-level stock-outs across the country. Teva Pharmaceuticals is the only manufacturer, and there is no generic alternative — device patents don't expire until approximately May 2031. When demand increased following other ICS market disruptions (Flovent discontinuation in 2024, Pulmicort shortage), pressure on Qvar's single-source supply intensified.
Large chain pharmacies are most likely to run out first; independent pharmacies using different wholesale suppliers sometimes have stock when chains don't. Patients are advised to refill early (start looking when 10+ days remain), consider mail-order for 90-day supplies, and ask pharmacies about special ordering.
The fastest way to find a pharmacy near you with Beclomethasone in stock is to use medfinder — medfinder calls pharmacies on your behalf and texts you the results, saving you hours of phone calls.
Beclomethasone is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA scheduling restrictions on who can prescribe it. Any licensed prescriber in the United States can write for it, including through telehealth platforms in all 50 states.
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) — most commonly manage asthma and allergic rhinitis at the primary care level
Pulmonologists — for complex, severe, or poorly controlled asthma
Allergists / Immunologists — specialists for allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis
Pediatricians — Qvar RediHaler is FDA-approved for children ages 4 and older
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) — licensed to prescribe in all 50 states
Beclomethasone can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states with no additional requirements. Platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, and Sesame commonly manage asthma maintenance therapy, making it accessible for patients without easy access to in-person care.
No. Beclomethasone is NOT a DEA-controlled substance. It is classified as Schedule N (not a controlled substance) under the Controlled Substances Act. This means no special DEA prescribing registration is required, no special prescription forms are needed, electronic prescriptions are permitted, and the medication can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states without restrictions.
Beclomethasone is a prescription-only medication in the U.S. (inhaled and nasal spray forms) — it requires a valid prescription from a licensed provider, but carries no additional controlled substance restrictions. Refills are permitted on original prescriptions at the prescriber's discretion, typically 1-3 refills.
The most common side effects of the inhaled form:
Throat irritation and hoarseness (dysphonia)
Oral candidiasis (thrush) — prevented by rinsing mouth after each use
Headache
Cough upon inhalation
Upper respiratory infections (slightly increased frequency)
Paradoxical bronchospasm — immediate worsening of breathing after use; stop medication and seek care
Adrenal suppression — with high-dose, long-term use; symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, weakness
Slowed growth in children — monitor growth velocity; use lowest effective dose
Glaucoma and cataracts — with long-term use; regular eye exams recommended for at-risk patients
Hypersensitivity reactions — hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling; seek emergency care
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Generic Fluticasone Propionate HFA
Most widely available ICS alternative in 2026; $30-$80 with discount card; metabolized by CYP3A4 (not preferred for patients on ritonavir/cobicistat)
Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler / Respules)
Good option for young children (nebulizer form); dry powder inhaler for adults; active shortage on some formulations in 2025-2026
Mometasone Furoate (Asmanex Twisthaler / HFA)
Once-daily dosing advantage; also available as Dulera (mometasone/formoterol); supply issues in 2025-2026
Ciclesonide (Alvesco)
Prodrug activated in lung tissue; lowest risk of oral thrush; preferred when patient has history of candidiasis on other ICS agents
Prefer Beclomethasone? We can find it.
BCG Vaccine (live)
majorCorticosteroids may impair immune response to BCG vaccine; avoid live BCG vaccination while on Beclomethasone
Leflunomide
majorIncreased risk of hematologic toxicities; monthly bone marrow monitoring recommended if combination unavoidable
Aldesleukin (IL-2)
majorCorticosteroids may interfere with antitumor effects; discuss with oncologist before combining
Loop diuretics (furosemide, torsemide, ethacrynic acid)
moderateIncreased hypokalemia risk; monitor potassium levels
Thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide)
moderateIncreased hypokalemia risk; monitor potassium levels
CYP3A4 inhibitors (ritonavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole)
minorLess significant interaction than with fluticasone/budesonide; Beclomethasone uses esterase not CYP3A4; preferred ICS for patients on these drugs
Echinacea
minorImmune-stimulating properties may reduce effectiveness of corticosteroids; monitor efficacy
Beclomethasone (Qvar RediHaler) remains one of the most clinically valuable inhaled corticosteroids available in 2026 — particularly for patients who benefit from its unique esterase-based metabolism (making it safe with CYP3A4 inhibitors) and its ultra-fine particle formulation that reaches peripheral airways. However, its single-manufacturer status and lack of a generic mean that availability can be inconsistent, and cost is a real barrier for uninsured patients.
Key takeaways for patients: always refill early, don't abruptly stop your ICS, rinse your mouth after every use to prevent thrush, and explore the Teva Savings Card or patient assistance program if cost is a concern. Generic alternatives exist if Beclomethasone is truly unavailable or unaffordable — discuss with your doctor.
If you're having trouble filling your Beclomethasone prescription, medfinder can call pharmacies near you on your behalf to find which ones have it in stock — saving you time and frustration.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
ChatGPT
Claude
Perplexity
Grok
Gemini