Qvar

How to order Qvar

1. Find the drug you need on our site.
2. Pick a clinic. See the price.
3. Fill in a short health form.
4. A doctor reads your form.
5. If it is safe for you, they say yes.
6. Your order ships fast to your door.
7. It comes in a plain, sealed box.

Why use us? We compare UK clinics. We show you the price and how fast they ship. We do not sell drugs. We just help you find the best one for you.

Is it safe? Yes. All our clinics are UK-based. A real doctor reads each form. They will not sell to you if it is not safe for you.

Qvar on Prescriptsy

Qvar is described on Prescriptsy as independent product information.

Here you can understand how online consultation works, what medical checks partner clinics carry out, and which factors matter when comparing providers.

We do not sell medicines directly, but help users compare licensed healthcare partners on price, delivery speed, service quality, and overall trustworthiness.

Qvar is a brand of beclometasone dipropionate, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) used for the regular prevention and management of asthma.

What distinguishes Qvar from other beclometasone inhalers is its extrafine CFC-free formulation, which produces aerosol particles with a smaller mass median aerodynamic diameter (approximately 1.1 micrometres) than standard formulations.

This results in significantly improved lung deposition, allowing lower nominal doses to achieve equivalent clinical efficacy.

Qvar is available as a standard pressurised metered-dose inhaler (MDI) and as the Easi-Breathe, a breath-actuated device that fires automatically on inhalation.

It is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the United Kingdom, manufactured by Teva.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects approximately 5.4 million people in the UK.

The condition involves persistent airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and variable airflow obstruction, producing symptoms of wheeze, cough, chest tightness, and breathlessness.

Inhaled corticosteroids form the cornerstone of asthma management, suppressing the underlying inflammation and reducing the frequency and severity of symptoms and exacerbations.

The BTS/SIGN British Guideline on the Management of Asthma and NICE guideline NG80 both recommend ICS as first-line maintenance therapy from Step 2 of the treatment pathway.

This page provides a detailed clinical guide to Qvar, including its unique formulation characteristics, dosing considerations, side effects, safety warnings, and how to obtain it in the United Kingdom.

Important safety information about Qvar

Before reading further, please note these essential safety points.

• Qvar is a preventer inhaler. It does not relieve acute asthma symptoms. Always carry your reliever inhaler (salbutamol).
• Qvar is NOT interchangeable on a microgram-for-microgram basis with standard beclometasone inhalers (e.g. Clenil Modulite). Qvar 100 micrograms is equivalent to approximately 200 micrograms of standard beclometasone.
• Rinse your mouth with water and spit out after every dose.
• Do not stop Qvar suddenly, especially at higher doses, without medical advice.
• Call 999 in a severe asthma attack.

Understanding asthma and the role of ICS

Asthma involves chronic inflammation of the bronchial airways driven by eosinophils, mast cells, T-helper type 2 (Th2) lymphocytes, and other inflammatory cells.

Environmental triggers, including allergens, respiratory infections, cold air, exercise, and air pollution, provoke an exaggerated inflammatory response in susceptible individuals.

The inflamed airways swell, produce excess mucus, and the surrounding smooth muscle contracts, narrowing the airway and restricting airflow.

Over time, chronic inflammation can cause structural remodelling of the airways, including basement membrane thickening, smooth muscle hypertrophy, and goblet cell hyperplasia, which may lead to irreversible airflow limitation.

Inhaled corticosteroids suppress this inflammatory cascade at multiple levels. They reduce eosinophil infiltration, inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine production, decrease mucus secretion, restore epithelial integrity, and reduce bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Regular ICS use reduces symptom burden, prevents exacerbations, decreases hospital admissions, and lowers asthma-related mortality.

ICS therapy is recommended for all patients who use a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) reliever more than twice a week, who wake at night due to asthma, or who have had an exacerbation in the past 2 years.

What makes Qvar different: the extrafine formulation

Standard beclometasone metered-dose inhalers, such as Clenil Modulite, produce particles with a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of approximately 2.9 to 4.0 micrometres.

These particles are deposited predominantly in the larger central airways.

A significant proportion is deposited in the oropharynx and swallowed, contributing to local side effects (oral thrush, hoarseness) and, after absorption, to systemic exposure.

Qvar's HFA solution formulation produces particles with an MMAD of approximately 1.1 micrometres.

These extrafine particles penetrate more deeply into the lung, reaching the smaller peripheral airways (bronchioles less than 2 mm in diameter), where much of the inflammatory process in asthma occurs.

Lung deposition with Qvar is approximately 50% to 60% of the emitted dose, compared with 10% to 20% for standard formulations.

This means that a lower nominal dose of Qvar achieves the same or better clinical efficacy as a higher dose of standard beclometasone.

Oropharyngeal deposition is also reduced, which decreases the incidence of oral thrush and hoarseness.

The practical implication is that Qvar doses should be approximately half those of standard beclometasone.

The BNF and MHRA emphasise that beclometasone prescriptions should always be written by brand name to prevent inadvertent dose changes when dispensing.

Switching from Clenil 200 micrograms twice daily to Qvar 200 micrograms twice daily would effectively double the delivered dose and could cause systemic side effects.

Clinical evidence and UK prescribing guidance

Clinical studies have demonstrated that Qvar at half the nominal dose of standard beclometasone provides equivalent improvements in peak expiratory flow rate, FEV1, symptom scores, and rescue bronchodilator use.

The improved small-airway deposition may offer particular benefits in patients with small-airway inflammation, which is increasingly recognised as an important component of asthma pathology.

The BTS/SIGN guideline recommends low-dose ICS at Step 2 of asthma management.

For beclometasone dipropionate, the low-dose range is defined as 200 to 400 micrograms per day for standard formulations or 100 to 200 micrograms per day for extrafine formulations such as Qvar.

Medium dose is 400 to 800 micrograms standard (200 to 400 micrograms Qvar) and high dose is above 800 micrograms standard (above 400 micrograms Qvar).

NICE NG80 follows a similar stepwise framework and recommends reviewing asthma control at every consultation, stepping down when control has been maintained for at least 3 months.

Qvar compared with other ICS options

Beclometasone dipropionate is the most commonly prescribed ICS in the UK, with Clenil Modulite being the most frequently dispensed product.

Qvar offers an alternative for patients who need improved small-airway deposition, who prefer a breath-actuated device (Easi-Breathe), or who experience local side effects with standard inhalers.

Other ICS options include budesonide (Pulmicort), fluticasone propionate (Flixotide), fluticasone furoate (Relvar Ellipta, in combination with vilanterol), ciclesonide (Alvesco), and mometasone furoate (Asmanex).

Dose equivalences must always be considered when switching between products: 100 micrograms of Qvar beclometasone is approximately equivalent to 200 micrograms of Clenil beclometasone, 200 micrograms of budesonide, or 100 micrograms of fluticasone propionate.

The choice of ICS and device depends on the required dose, the patient's inspiratory flow rate, manual dexterity, preference, and tolerability.

The Qvar Easi-Breathe is particularly useful for patients who have difficulty coordinating actuation and inhalation with a standard MDI, such as elderly patients or those with arthritis.

Dosage and administration

Adults and adolescents over 12 years: start at 50 to 100 micrograms twice daily.

The dose may be increased to a maximum of 200 micrograms twice daily (400 micrograms per day).

Children aged 5 to 12 years: 50 to 100 micrograms twice daily, to a maximum of 200 micrograms per day.

Always use the dose specified by your prescriber and do not adjust it without medical advice.

For the standard MDI: shake the inhaler before use, breathe out gently, place the mouthpiece between your lips, press the canister and breathe in slowly and deeply, hold your breath for 5 to 10 seconds, then breathe out gently.

Using a spacer (such as an AeroChamber or Volumatic) with the MDI improves lung deposition and reduces oropharyngeal side effects.

A spacer is recommended for all patients using an MDI, particularly children and those on medium to high doses.

For the Easi-Breathe: open the cap, breathe out gently away from the device, seal your lips around the mouthpiece, and breathe in slowly and steadily.

The device fires automatically. Hold your breath for up to 10 seconds, then close the cap. Rinse your mouth with water and spit out after every use.

Side effects of Qvar

Local side effects

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush) is the most common side effect, occurring in approximately 5% to 10% of users.

The extrafine formulation reduces oropharyngeal deposition compared with standard inhalers, which may lower the incidence of thrush, but it can still occur.

Symptoms include white patches in the mouth, soreness, and altered taste. Mouth rinsing after each dose is the most effective preventive measure.

Treatment with nystatin or miconazole oral gel is usually sufficient without stopping the ICS.

Hoarseness (dysphonia) results from corticosteroid-induced myopathy of the laryngeal muscles. It is usually mild and reversible. Throat irritation and cough on inhalation may occur but typically settle with continued use or a change of device.

Systemic side effects

At doses above 400 micrograms per day of Qvar (equivalent to above 800 micrograms of standard beclometasone), systemic effects may include adrenal suppression, reduced bone mineral density, posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma, skin thinning, and bruising.

Children on high-dose ICS should have growth monitored regularly. A steroid card should be issued to patients on high-dose ICS, and awareness of adrenal insufficiency symptoms is important.

When to seek medical advice

Contact your prescriber if oral thrush or hoarseness persists despite mouth rinsing, or if asthma symptoms worsen despite regular use.

Call 999 for signs of a severe asthma attack, severe allergic reaction, or adrenal crisis. Report suspected adverse reactions to the MHRA at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk .

Warnings and precautions

Qvar is a preventer inhaler and does not provide immediate bronchodilation. Always carry a reliever inhaler.

Do not stop Qvar abruptly; taper gradually under medical supervision if stopping or reducing.

Patients transferring from oral corticosteroids to inhaled beclometasone are at risk of adrenal insufficiency and should carry a steroid emergency card.

Active pulmonary tuberculosis, untreated fungal, viral, or bacterial respiratory infections should be managed appropriately. CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir) may increase systemic beclometasone exposure.

Inhaled beclometasone is considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding; continue treatment to maintain asthma control.

Lifestyle and self-management

Asthma management is most effective when medication is combined with trigger avoidance, a written personalised asthma action plan, regular inhaler technique checks, annual flu vaccination, smoking cessation, and regular exercise.

Ask your prescriber or asthma nurse to check your inhaler technique at every review. Poor technique is the most common reason for inadequate asthma control.

How to get Qvar in the UK

Qvar is available on NHS prescription from your GP, asthma nurse, or an authorised online prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The standard NHS prescription charge in England is 9.90 pounds per item; prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Ask about prescription prepayment certificates if you need multiple items.

Sources

• Qvar 50 and 100 Inhaler, Summary of Product Characteristics (EMC)
• Beclometasone dipropionate, British National Formulary (BNF)
• BTS/SIGN British Guideline on the Management of Asthma
• NICE NG80: Asthma, diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management
• Asthma, NHS
• MHRA Yellow Card Scheme