Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (927 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
An anti-inflammatory, synthetic glucocorticoid. It is used topically as an anti-inflammatory agent and in aerosol form for the treatment of asthma.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Beclometasone; Beclomethasone Dipropionate; Dipropionate, Beclomethasone; Beconase; Becloforte; Becotide; Becodisks; Propaderm.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Pregnadienetriols; Steroids, Chlorinated
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 3,171 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Beclomethasone” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 160 of them (5.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 1,791 records.
Reviews account for 297 records (9.4%) and meta-analyses for 66. Randomized controlled trials number 841 (26.5%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up a comparatively large share of this literature, which means many treatment questions have been tested directly.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 1,791 |
| 2000-2009 | 766 |
| 2010-2019 | 454 |
| 2020 onward | 160 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 297 | 9.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 66 | 2.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 841 | 26.5% |
Method: PubMed query "Beclomethasone"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in drugs and chemicals
Studies of a chemical or drug can answer very different questions: what it is and how it behaves in cells and animals, how the body handles it, and whether it changes outcomes in people. Laboratory and animal findings often do not carry over to patients, and observational studies of exposures are confounded by who uses a substance and why. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to use, avoid, start or stop any substance or medicine; talk to a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own situation. Check the dose, the species, the comparison group and whether a patient-relevant outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
A Biocompatible Synthetic Lung Fluid Based on Human Respiratory Tract Lining Fluid Composition [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeTo characterise a biorelevant simulated lung fluid (SLF) based on the composition of human respiratory tract lining fluid.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionThe SLF reported herein constitutes a biorelevant synthetic simulant which is suitable to study biopharmaceutical properties of inhalation medicines such as those being proposed for an inhaled biopharmaceutics classification system.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (190 words)
PurposeTo characterise a biorelevant simulated lung fluid (SLF) based on the composition of human respiratory tract lining fluid. SLF was compared to other media which have been utilized as lung fluid simulants in terms of fluid structure, biocompatibility and performance in inhalation biopharmaceutical assays.MethodsThe structure of SLF was investigated using cryo-transmission electron microscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy and Langmuir isotherms. Biocompatibility with A549 alveolar epithelial cells was determined by MTT assay, morphometric observations and transcriptomic analysis. Biopharmaceutical applicability was evaluated by measuring the solubility and dissolution of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and fluticasone propionate (FP), in SLF.ResultsSLF exhibited a colloidal structure, possessing vesicles similar in nature to those found in lung fluid extracts. No adverse effect on A549 cells was apparent after exposure to the SLF for 24 h, although some metabolic changes were identified consistent with the change of culture medium to a more lung-like composition. The solubility and dissolution of BDP and FP in SLF were enhanced compared to Gamble's solution.ConclusionThe SLF reported herein constitutes a biorelevant synthetic simulant which is suitable to study biopharmaceutical properties of inhalation medicines such as those being proposed for an inhaled biopharmaceutics classification system.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 28560698 · DOI · PMC5736781
Beclomethasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate synergistically interact in hyperresponsive medium bronchi and small airways [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundCorticosteroids increase the expression of β2-adrenoceptors (β2-ARs) and protect them against down-regulation.
- Closing excerpt
- Trial registrationNot applicable.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (183 words)
BackgroundCorticosteroids increase the expression of β2-adrenoceptors (β2-ARs) and protect them against down-regulation. Conversely, β2-AR agonists improve the anti-inflammatory action of corticosteroids. Nevertheless, it is still uncertain whether adding a long-acting β2-AR agonist (LABA) to an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) results in an additive effect, or there is true synergy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to pharmacologically characterize the interaction between the ICS beclomethasone diproprionate (BDP) and the LABA formoterol fumarate (FF) in a validated human ex vivo model of bronchial asthma.MethodsHuman medium and small airways were stimulated by histamine and treated with different concentrations of BDP and FF, administered alone and in combination at concentration-ratio reproducing ex vivo that of the currently available fixed-dose combination (FDC; BDP/FF 100:6 combination-ratio). Experiments were performed in non-sensitized (NS) and passively sensitized (PS) airways. The pharmacological interaction was assessed by using Bliss Independence and Unified Theory equations.ResultsBDP/FF synergistically increased the overall bronchorelaxation in NS and PS airways (+ 15.15% ± 4.02%; P ConclusionBDP/FF combination synergistically relaxed human bronchi; the extent of such an interaction was very strong at low-to-medium concentrations in PS small airways.Trial registrationNot applicable.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29650006 · DOI · PMC5897944
Efficacy and Safety of Oral Beclomethasone Dipropionate in Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Background and aimWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all the available evidence comparing efficacy and safety of oral prolonged released beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) to active oral controls in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC).
- Closing excerpt
- oral 5-ASA in inducing clinical improvement of mild-to-moderate UC with a similar safety profile.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (322 words)
Background and aimWe performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all the available evidence comparing efficacy and safety of oral prolonged released beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) to active oral controls in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). A subgroup-analysis compared the effectiveness of BDP and 5-ASA.MethodsLiterature research was performed in different databases, as well as manual search to identify abstracts from international meetings with data not included in extensive publications. Experts in the field and companies involved in BDP development and manufacture were contacted to identify unpublished studies used for registration purposes. Dichotomous data were pooled to obtain odds ratio meta-analysis.ResultsFive randomized controlled trials that compared oral BDP 5mg/day vs. all oral active controls in treating UC were identified as eligible. Efficacy and safety have been addressed after 4-week treatment period. One study evaluated efficacy and safety of BDP vs. prednisone and 4 of BDP vs. 5-ASA. Treatment with oral BDP 5 mg/day induces a significant better clinical response compared to oral 5-ASA (OR 1.86, 95% CI = 1.23-2.82, P = 0.003). The effect is detectable even when the comparison to prednisone is added (OR 1.41, 95% CI = 1.03-1.93, P = 0.03). Data on remission indicate that the potential clinical efficacy of BDP may be better than 5-ASA (OR 1.55, 95% CI = 1.00-2.40, P = 0.05). This difference is lost when the comparison with prednisone is added (OR 1.30, 95% CI = 0.76-2.23, P = 0.34). The safety analysis showed no differences between BDP and 5-ASA (OR 0.55, 95% CI = 0.24-1.27, P = 0.16). The lack of difference is maintained even when the study with prednisone is added (OR 0.67, 95% CI = 0.44-1.01, P = 0.06). However, the trend of difference is clear and indicates a more favourable safety profile of BDP compared to 5-ASA and PD.ConclusionsOral prolonged release BDP showed a superior efficacy vs. oral 5-ASA in inducing clinical improvement of mild-to-moderate UC with a similar safety profile.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 27846307 · DOI · PMC5113024
Effects of inhaled beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate/glycopyrronium vs. beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate and placebo on lung hyperinflation and exercise endurance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled trial [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundThe single-inhaler triple combination of beclometasone dipropionate, formoterol fumarate, and glycopyrronium (BDP/FF/G) is available for maintenance therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Closing excerpt
- gov (NCT05097014), registered 27th October 2021.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (232 words)
BackgroundThe single-inhaler triple combination of beclometasone dipropionate, formoterol fumarate, and glycopyrronium (BDP/FF/G) is available for maintenance therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cardinal features of COPD are lung hyperinflation and reduced exercise capacity. TRIFORCE aimed to evaluate the effect of BDP/FF/G on lung hyperinflation and exercise capacity in patients with COPD.MethodsThis double-blind, randomised, active- and placebo-controlled, crossover study recruited adults with COPD aged ≥ 40 years, who were hyperinflated and symptomatic, and were receiving mono- or dual inhaled maintenance COPD therapy. In the three treatment periods, patients were randomised to receive BDP/FF/G, BDP/FF, or placebo, each for 3 weeks, with a 7-10-day washout between treatment periods. Assessments included slow inspiratory spirometry (for resting inspiratory capacity [IC]) and constant work-rate cycle ergometry (for dynamic IC and exercise endurance time). The primary objective was to compare BDP/FF/G and BDP/FF vs. placebo for resting IC at Week 3. Key secondary objectives were to compare BDP/FF/G and BDP/FF vs. placebo for dynamic IC and exercise endurance time during constant work rate cycle ergometry at Week 3.ResultsOf 106 patients randomised, 95 completed the study. Resting IC adjusted mean differences vs. placebo were 315 and 223 mL for BDP/FF/G and BDP/FF, respectively (p ConclusionsIn patients with COPD, BDP/FF/G provided significant and clinically relevant improvements vs. placebo and BDP/FF in static and dynamic hyperinflation, with an improvement vs. placebo in exercise endurance.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05097014), registered 27th October 2021.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39420338 · DOI · PMC11488063
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Meta-analysis of increased dose of inhaled steroid or addition of salmeterol in symptomatic asthma (MIASMA) [5]
- Research article Efficacy and safety overview of a new inhaled corticosteroid, QVAR (hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone extrafine inhalation aerosol), in asthma [6]
- Research article Long term effects of inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Clinical experience with fluticasone propionate in asthma: a meta-analysis of efficacy and systemic activity compared with budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate at half the microgram dose or less [8]
- Research article NEXThaler, an innovative dry powder inhaler delivering an extrafine fixed combination of beclometasone and formoterol to treat large and small airways in asthma [9]
- Research article Beclomethasone dipropionate. A reappraisal of its pharmacodynamic properties and therapeutic efficacy after a decade of use in asthma and rhinitis [10]
References
- Kumar A, Terakosolphan W, Hassoun M, Vandera KK, Novicky A, Harvey R, et al.. A Biocompatible Synthetic Lung Fluid Based on Human Respiratory Tract Lining Fluid Composition. . 2017. PMID 28560698 · DOI · PMC5736781
- Calzetta L, Matera MG, Facciolo F, Cazzola M, Rogliani P. Beclomethasone dipropionate and formoterol fumarate synergistically interact in hyperresponsive medium bronchi and small airways. . 2018. PMID 29650006 · DOI · PMC5897944
- Manguso F, Bennato R, Lombardi G, Riccio E, Costantino G, Fries W. Efficacy and Safety of Oral Beclomethasone Dipropionate in Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. . 2016. PMID 27846307 · DOI · PMC5113024
- Watz H, Kirsten AM, Ludwig-Sengpiel A, Krüll M, Mroz RM, Georges G, et al.. Effects of inhaled beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate/glycopyrronium vs. beclometasone dipropionate/formoterol fumarate and placebo on lung hyperinflation and exercise endurance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled trial. . 2024. PMID 39420338 · DOI · PMC11488063
- Shrewsbury S, Pyke S, Britton M. Meta-analysis of increased dose of inhaled steroid or addition of salmeterol in symptomatic asthma (MIASMA). BMJ. 2000. PMID 10818025 · DOI · PMC27379
- Vanden Burgt JA, Busse WW, Martin RJ, Szefler SJ, Donnell D. Efficacy and safety overview of a new inhaled corticosteroid, QVAR (hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone extrafine inhalation aerosol), in asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2000. PMID 11112914 · DOI
- van Grunsven PM, van Schayck CP, Derenne JP, Kerstjens HA, Renkema TE, Postma DS, et al.. Long term effects of inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis. Thorax. 1999. PMID 10343624 · DOI · PMC1745350
- Barnes NC, Hallett C, Harris TA. Clinical experience with fluticasone propionate in asthma: a meta-analysis of efficacy and systemic activity compared with budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate at half the microgram dose or less. Respir Med. 1998. PMID 9519232 · DOI
- Corradi M, Chrystyn H, Cosio BG, Pirozynski M, Loukides S, Louis R, et al.. NEXThaler, an innovative dry powder inhaler delivering an extrafine fixed combination of beclometasone and formoterol to treat large and small airways in asthma. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2014. PMID 24921434 · DOI
- Brogden RN, Heel RC, Speight TM, Avery GS. Beclomethasone dipropionate. A reappraisal of its pharmacodynamic properties and therapeutic efficacy after a decade of use in asthma and rhinitis. Drugs. 1984. PMID 6381025 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.