Beclometasone tablets are used to treat ulcerative colitis.
They work by reducing swelling (inflammation) in your gut. They're usually taken alongside other medicines for ulcerative colitis.
Beclometasone is a type of medicine called a steroid (or corticosteroid). Steroids are copies of hormones your body makes naturally. They are not the same as anabolic steroids.
Beclometasone tablets are only available on prescription. They come as slow release tablets. This means that the medicine is released into your body slowly throughout the day.
Beclometasone also comes as:
- an inhaler to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- a nasal spray to treat hay fever and allergy symptoms
- skin creams to treat conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
Key facts
- You'll usually take 1 beclometasone tablet a day, for up to 4 weeks.
- It's best to take it in the morning before breakfast. You need to take them regularly for the medicine to work fully. Keep taking them for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel better.
- You'll get a blue steroid card from your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking beclometasone for more than 3 weeks. Show this card to your doctor or dentist before any treatment, so they know you're taking it. You may also need to carry a red steroid emergency card if you take repeated courses of beclometasone, or if you take other steroids at the same time.
- Beclometasone can sometimes give you blurred vision. If this happens, do not drive or ride a bike until your vision is back to normal.
- You can drink alcohol while taking beclometasone tablets but if you have ulcerative colitis, alcohol may make your symptoms worse.