Comparing beclomethasone to other corticosteroids for asthma treatment

6 May 2023
Comparing beclomethasone to other corticosteroids for asthma treatment

Understanding Beclomethasone and Other Corticosteroids

As someone living with asthma, I'm always on the lookout for the most effective treatments to manage my symptoms. One of the most common medications prescribed for asthma is corticosteroids, with beclomethasone being a popular choice. But how does beclomethasone compare to other corticosteroids? In this article, we'll examine beclomethasone and other corticosteroids, their benefits, and their side effects.

Beclomethasone: A Popular Inhaled Corticosteroid

Beclomethasone is an inhaled corticosteroid that helps manage asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation in the airways. It's a long-term treatment that's usually taken daily, either through an inhaler or a nebulizer. I've found that beclomethasone works well for me, as it helps to prevent my asthma symptoms and keep my airways clear.


One of the reasons beclomethasone is so popular is because it has fewer side effects compared to other corticosteroids. Some potential side effects include a sore throat, hoarseness, and oral thrush. However, these can usually be managed with proper inhaler technique and by rinsing your mouth after use.

Comparing Beclomethasone to Budesonide

Budesonide is another inhaled corticosteroid that's commonly prescribed for asthma treatment. Like beclomethasone, it works by reducing inflammation in the airways. The main difference between these two medications is the way they're delivered. Budesonide is typically taken using a dry powder inhaler, while beclomethasone is usually taken with a metered-dose inhaler or a nebulizer.


When it comes to effectiveness, both beclomethasone and budesonide seem to be similarly effective in managing asthma symptoms. However, some studies have suggested that budesonide may be slightly more effective at reducing the need for rescue medication. Side effects for both medications are also similar, but some people may prefer one delivery method over the other.

Fluticasone: Another Inhaled Corticosteroid Option

Fluticasone is yet another inhaled corticosteroid that's commonly used to treat asthma. Like beclomethasone and budesonide, it works by reducing inflammation in the airways. However, fluticasone is often prescribed in combination with a long-acting bronchodilator, such as salmeterol, which helps to relax the airways and improve breathing.


When comparing fluticasone to beclomethasone, studies have shown that both medications are similarly effective in managing asthma symptoms. However, some people may prefer the combination therapy of fluticasone and a bronchodilator, as it can provide additional relief for those with more severe asthma.

Oral Corticosteroids: A Short-Term Solution

While inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone, budesonide, and fluticasone are typically used for long-term asthma management, oral corticosteroids like prednisone may be prescribed for short-term relief during an asthma flare-up. These medications work quickly to reduce inflammation and improve breathing, but they also have more significant side effects, such as weight gain, mood changes, and an increased risk of infection.


When comparing beclomethasone to oral corticosteroids, it's essential to consider their different uses. Beclomethasone is a long-term preventive treatment, while oral corticosteroids are typically only used for short periods to provide relief during a severe asthma attack.

Topical Corticosteroids: For Allergic Skin Reactions

Some people with asthma may also experience allergic skin reactions, like eczema or contact dermatitis. In these cases, a topical corticosteroid like hydrocortisone may be prescribed to manage the skin symptoms. While these medications are still part of the corticosteroid family, they differ from inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone in that they are applied directly to the skin rather than being inhaled.


It's crucial to distinguish between the different types of corticosteroids and their specific uses. If you're experiencing both asthma symptoms and allergic skin reactions, your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of treatments, like beclomethasone for your asthma and a topical corticosteroid for your skin.

Choosing the Right Asthma Treatment for You

When it comes to asthma treatment, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. What works well for me might not necessarily work for you, and vice versa. It's essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs, whether that's beclomethasone or another corticosteroid.


By understanding the differences between beclomethasone and other corticosteroids, you can make a more informed decision about your asthma treatment and work towards better managing your symptoms.

11 Comments

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    Cecil Mays

    May 6, 2023 AT 19:20
    This is such a solid breakdown! 🙌 I've been on beclomethasone for years and honestly? It's been a game-changer. Rinsing after use? Non-negotiable. No thrush for me. 💪
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    Raj Modi

    May 6, 2023 AT 20:28
    While the comparative efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids is often framed in terms of pharmacokinetic profiles and delivery mechanisms, one must also consider patient-specific variables such as adherence patterns, inhaler coordination, and regional environmental triggers. Beclomethasone, despite its lower systemic bioavailability, demonstrates comparable bronchoprotective efficacy to budesonide in longitudinal studies, particularly when administered with a spacer device. The marginal superiority of budesonide in reducing rescue inhaler usage may be attributable to its faster mucosal absorption, yet this advantage is frequently offset by patient preference for metered-dose inhalers due to tactile feedback and familiarity. Furthermore, the cost differential between these agents in low-resource settings remains a critical, albeit underdiscussed, determinant of therapeutic sustainability.
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    Sarah Schmidt

    May 7, 2023 AT 10:14
    People act like these drugs are magic. They’re not. They’re just suppressing symptoms while the root cause-your immune system’s overreaction to everything-is left untouched. You think you’re 'managing' asthma? You’re just delaying the inevitable collapse of your body’s natural defenses. And don’t get me started on how Big Pharma pushes these inhalers like candy. You’re not healing. You’re being conditioned.
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    Billy Gambino

    May 7, 2023 AT 15:50
    The pharmacodynamic asymmetry between beclomethasone dipropionate and fluticasone propionate is non-trivial. While both exhibit high glucocorticoid receptor affinity, the latter's lipophilicity confers prolonged tissue retention-thereby altering the therapeutic window. One must also account for the CYP3A4-mediated hepatic metabolism of fluticasone, which introduces inter-individual variability absent in beclomethasone's metabolism. The clinical implication? Fluticasone/salmeterol combinations are not 'superior'-they are pharmacologically distinct, and their utility is context-dependent. The reductionist framing of 'better' is scientifically incoherent.
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    Karen Werling

    May 8, 2023 AT 11:46
    I love how you broke this down. I’ve got eczema too, and using hydrocortisone cream on my arms while using my inhaler feels like two parts of the same puzzle. My allergist always says ‘treat the whole person’-and honestly, that’s what this post does. 🌿
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    STEVEN SHELLEY

    May 9, 2023 AT 06:46
    you know what they dont tell you? the inhalers are laced with microchips to track your breathing patterns. the government and big pharma are monitoring your asthma attacks to predict where you live and how often you leave your house. they’re building a profile. i saw it on a forum. they use the data to adjust your insurance rates. you think your inhaler is helping? it’s a spy device. rinse your mouth? they want you to think that’s enough. wake up.
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    Emil Tompkins

    May 9, 2023 AT 16:18
    I mean... beclomethasone is fine I guess if you like being a medical zombie but have you tried breathing exercises? Or maybe just avoiding all pollution? Or maybe not living in a city? Or maybe not being a lazy person who lets pills do all the work? I’ve been asthma-free for 12 years and I never used an inhaler. You’re just choosing to be sick. That’s all.
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    Kevin Stone

    May 10, 2023 AT 05:55
    Interesting that you mention oral steroids only for short-term use. I’ve been on prednisone for 7 months. My doctor says it’s fine. You’re just repeating what you read on the internet. Real patients don’t always follow the textbook.
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    Natalie Eippert

    May 10, 2023 AT 07:35
    I don't know why Americans think every asthma drug is better than the ones in other countries. In Europe they use different formulations. Beclomethasone is outdated. We have better options. You're clinging to old science because you're too lazy to research properly.
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    kendall miles

    May 10, 2023 AT 08:59
    I live in New Zealand and we’ve had a 40% drop in asthma hospitalizations since 2020. No one talks about it. But the air quality improved because of lockdowns. You think it’s the inhalers? Nah. It’s the fact that we stopped burning fossil fuels for a while. You’re blaming the medicine when the real fix is environmental. But of course, you’d rather take a pill than change the world.
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    Gary Fitsimmons

    May 10, 2023 AT 18:16
    This helped me understand why my doc switched me from fluticasone to beclomethasone. I was scared at first but now I feel way better. Thanks for sharing your story. I’m not alone in this.

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