Navigation

Qvar vs. Pulmicort

Are Qvar and Pulmicort the Same Thing?

Qvar (beclomethasone dipropionate) and Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide inhalation powder) are steroids used to prevent asthma attacks. Qvar and Pulmicort will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

Side effects of Qvar and Pulmicort that are similar include stomach pain or upset, nausea, vomiting, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, dry/irritated throat, unpleasant taste in the mouth, cough, hoarseness, or voice changes or deepened voice.

Side effects of Qvar that are different from Pulmicort include sinus pain, cough, or dry mouth/nose.

Side effects of Pulmicort that are different from Qvar include nosebleeds, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips (oral thrush), sneezing, or diarrhea.

Qvar may interact with other drugs.

Pulmicort may interact with HIV/AIDS medicines, antibiotics, antifungal medications, or antidepressants.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Qvar?

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.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Pulmicort?

Common side effects of Pulmicort include:

  • dry/irritated/sore throat,
    hoarseness,
  • voice changes,
  • bad taste in the mouth,
  • runny or stuffy nose,
  • nosebleeds,
  • white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips (oral thrush),
  • sneezing,
  • cough,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • diarrhea,
  • stomach pain, or
  • headache.

What Is Qvar?

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.

What Is Pulmicort?

Pulmicort Flexhaler (budesonide inhalation powder) is a steroid used to prevent asthma attacks. Pulmicort will not treat an asthma attack that has already begun.

What Drugs Interact With Qvar?

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.

What Drugs Interact With Pulmicort?

Pulmicort may interact with HIV /AIDS medicines, antibiotics, antifungal medications, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using Pulmicort Flexhaler. Infants born to mothers who have used corticosteroids for a long time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness. This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects in a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

How Should Qvar Be Taken?

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..

How Should Pulmicort Be Taken?

For patients 18 years of age and older, the recommended starting dosage of Pulmicort is 360 mcg twice daily. The maximum dose should not exceed 720 mcg twice daily. Patients 6 to 17 Years of Age: The recommended starting dosage is 180 mcg twice daily. The maximum dose should not exceed 360 mcg twice daily.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.