Asmanex vs Qvar – Which Is Better? Here’s the Guide

---

Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Tue Mar 14 2023)

You may be familiar with one or both of these medications. But you may ask, which is more beneficial? Or which one is best for your particular circumstances? So, in this article, we’re going to look at Asmanex vs Qvar in greater detail and provide a guide on which one might suit your needs best.

But first, let’s give you a quick takeaway answer, then we’ll dive into more details.

Asmanex Vs Qvar? Asmanex and Qvar are both medications used for controlling asthma symptoms. They belong to the same class of drugs called corticosteroids. Both are available as an inhaler and start working after 1-2 weeks. Apart from this, the dosage, side effects, and interactions of these two differ slightly.

What Is Asmanex?

Mometasone, known by the brand name Asmanex, is used for controlling and preventing symptoms of asthma. This includes wheezing and shortness of breath.

The active ingredient in Asmanex is mometasone, which as we mentioned, belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids.

As asthma is caused by a narrowing of the airways, making it hard to breathe, this medication acts by reducing the irritation and swelling in the airways. This will relax the muscles around the airways, opening them up, thus making it easier to breathe.

Asmanex medication is available in the form of an inhaler and is prescribed for adults and children who are at least 4 years of age. As this comes as an inhaler, the inhalation gives better treatment directly to the lungs. Thereby effectively controlling asthma symptoms.

However, Asmanex does not work right away. So Asmanex should not be used as relief medication for sudden asthma attacks. In case of an asthma attack, you should use your quick-relief inhaler as prescribed.

What Is Qvar?

Beclomethasone, known by the brand name Qvar, is used to prevent and control symptoms of asthma. This includes symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath.

The active ingredient in this medication is different from Asmanex and is known as beclomethasone, and belongs to the same class of drugs called corticosteroids.

As asthma has more to do with lungs and related airways, this medication directly works in the lungs. The direct treatment in the lungs efficiently reduces inflammation and swelling in the throat that can make breathing difficult.

Qvar comes in the form of an inhaler and is prescribed for adults and children of at least 5 years of age and older. The availability of this medication as an inhaler has fewer side effects when compared to taking pills by mouth.

This medication does not treat immediate or sudden asthma attacks and should not be used as a relief inhaler. You might have to maintain a separate quick-relief inhaler for such urgencies and should be used as prescribed.

Asmanex vs Qvar – Similarities

Asmanex and Qvar are not exactly the same, but their purpose is very much the same.

Qvar (beclomethasone dipropionate) and Asmanex HFA (mometasone furoate) are both medications used to control and prevent symptoms of asthma. They also belong to the same class of drugs known as corticosteroids.

Both of these medications are used through an orally inhaled route and come in the form of an inhaler.

Neither of these medications works right away, nor are they to be taken during sudden asthma attacks.

Apart from these similarities, there are some side effects common to both of these medications.

• Upset Stomach
• Nausea
• Headache
• Sinus pain or sinusitis
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Hoarseness, or deepened voice

Both of these medications can take up to 1-2 weeks to start working. For maximum performance, both of these medications take up to 3 to 4 weeks. The availability of these medications as inhalers avoids the risks and side effects related to taking pills by mouth.

How To Take Asmanex

Asmanex is taken by mouth through an inhaler. Asmanex comes in two strengths. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the strength that is best for you.

The recommended dosage for Asmanex is 4 puffs once a day. 2 puffs in the morning and 2 in the evening. While you take the 2 puffs, give a gap of a minute between each puff.

And in case you’re using other inhalers at the same time, again give about a one-minute gap before using use the other inhaler.

It’s also recommended to use Asmanex last of the two. However, this recommended dosage may vary depending on your medical condition, age, and response to treatments. Ask your doctor for more information on this.

How To Take Qvar

The recommended dosage for Qvar is 40 to 320 mcg twice daily for adults and 40 to 80 mcg twice daily for children. The medication is inhaled through the mouth. And if your prescribed amount is 2 puffs, take about a minute break after each puff. The dosage is usually based on your age, medical conditions, and responses to treatments. Again, consult your doctor if you’re unsure on this point.

If you’re using a bronchodilator in parallel, use it first before using Qvar. And if you’re using any other inhalers, take a minute break between Qvar and the others. It’s also best recommended to take Qvar last.

Note – As a good practice, gargle and rinse your mouth with water after each use of this medication. This will avoid fungal infection from building up in your mouth or throat and other dryness, irritation, and yeast infections (thrush) in the mouth and throat.

Asmanex vs Qvar – Side Effects

Common side effects of Asmanex include:

• Back, muscle or joint pain
• Bronchitis
• Changes in menstrual periods for women
• Deepened voice
• Flu infection
• Headache, hoarseness, and loss of appetite
• Inflammation of the nose and throat
• Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
• Nausea
• Nosebleed
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Tired
• An upset stomach

Common side effects of Qvar include:

• Upset Stomach
• Cough
• Deepened voice
• Dryness in your mouth/nose/throat after using the medication
• Headache
• Hoarseness
• Nausea
• Sinus pain and stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Unpleasant taste in the mouth and vomiting

Cost of Asmanex and Qvar

Unless you’re enrolling with Prescription Hope, then you can expect the retail price for Asmanex Twisthaler inhalation aerosol powder (110 mcg/inh) is around $87 for a supply of 1 aerosol powder. The retail cost for Qvar inhalation aerosol (40 mcg/inh) is about $64 for a supply of 7.3 grams.

These prices may vary depending on different pharmacies. And these prices are also only for cash-paying customers and are not subject to any insurance plan. Because it can be expensive to purchase these medications, we can assist you with obtaining them for a fraction of the price, just head over to our enrollment page.

Here’s the coupon, and info you need for Asmanex

Here’s the coupon, and info you need for Qvar

Drug Interactions with Asmanex and Qvar

Asmanex may interact with antifungal medications or HIV/AIDS medications. But it is unknown what exactly Qvar interacts with.

As such, it’s always recommended to tell your healthcare provider about your medical history, medications you use along with the vitamins, minerals, and any other herbal products you use.

Other medical conditions such as pregnancy and breastfeeding should also be specified, since it’s unknown how Qvar and Asmanex, in general, react to these conditions.

To Finish

We hope this has been a useful guide regarding Asmanex and Qvar. There are cases for using either, but for the most part, they provide the same function. This article reflects the general consensus for most users.

If you’re struggling to afford either of these two medications or any of the other 1,500 medications that we offer to our customers or if you’re having trouble affording any of the medications you’ve been prescribed, then contact us. Visit the enrollment page to create an account and fill out an application, and let us save you money!