Qvar vs. Ventolin

• Are Qvar and Ventolin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Qvar?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Ventolin?
• What Is Qvar?
• What Is Ventolin?
• What Drugs Interact with Qvar?
• What Drugs Interact with Ventolin?
• How Should Qvar Be Taken?
• How Should Ventolin Be Taken?

Qvar (beclomethasone dipropionate) and Ventolin HFA (albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol) are used to treat asthma.

Ventolin HFA is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Qvar and Ventolin HFA belong to different drug classes. Qvar is a steroid and Ventolin HFA is a bronchodilator.

Side effects of Qvar and Ventolin HFA that are similar include nausea, vomiting, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, mouth/throat dryness or irritation, unpleasant taste in the mouth/changes in taste, or hoarseness.

Side effects of Qvar that are different from Ventolin HFA include stomach upset, sinus pain, dry nose, or deepened voice.

Side effects of Ventolin HFA that are different from Qvar include nervousness, shaking (tremor), palpitations, dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia), muscle pain, or diarrhea.

Qvar may interact with other drugs.

Ventolin HFA may interact with diuretics (water pills), digoxin, beta-blockers, antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, or other bronchodilators.

Common side effects of Qvar include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• headache,
• sore throat,
• stuffy nose,
• sinus pain,
• cough,
• dryness in your mouth/nose/throat after use,
• unpleasant taste in the mouth,
• hoarseness, or
• deepened voice.

Common side effects of Ventolin include:

• nervousness,
• shaking (tremor),
• palpitations,
• headache,
• mouth/throat dryness or irritation,
• cough,
• hoarseness,
• sore throat,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• muscle pain,
• changes in taste, or
• diarrhea.

Seek medical help immediately if you have rare but serious side effects of Ventolin HFA, including:

• chest pain or
• irregular heartbeat.

Qvar (beclomethasone dipropionate) is a steroid used to prevent asthma attacks. Qvar will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun. Qvar is available in generic form.

Ventolin HFA (albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol) is a bronchodilator used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease. Ventolin HFA is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Ventolin HFA is available in generic form.

Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Qvar should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. There are rare reports of harm to a fetus when the mother took other corticosteroids. Infants born to mothers who have been using high doses of beclomethasone for an extended time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Ventolin HFA may adversely interact with diuretics (water pills), digoxin, beta-blockers, antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, or other bronchodilators. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, Ventolin HFA should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dose of Qvar is 40 to 320 mcg twice daily for adults and 40 to 80 mcg twice daily for children. If you are also using a bronchodilator, use it first before using the beclomethasone inhaler. There may be other drugs that can interact with Qvar..

The dose of Ventolin HFA for adults and children for treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm or prevention of symptoms associated with bronchospasm is 2 inhalations repeated every 4 to 6 hours. More frequent administration or a larger number of inhalations is not recommended. For exercise-induced bronchospasm, the dose is 2 inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before exercise.