Beconase/Beclometasone

Hay fever and allergic rhinitis can make daily life uncomfortable, affecting sleep, concentration, and quality of life. Beconase Nasal Spray contains beclometasone dipropionate 50 micrograms per spray, a corticosteroid that reduces the inflammation responsible for hay fever symptoms including a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, and nasal itching. Unlike nasal decongestant sprays that work within minutes, Beconase works by tackling the underlying inflammation. It takes a few days of regular use to reach its full effect but provides sustained allergy relief throughout the hay fever season when used consistently. Available from pharmacies without a prescription.

Beconase Nasal Spray is a Pharmacy Medicine containing beclometasone dipropionate 50 micrograms per actuation. Beclometasone is an intranasal corticosteroid, a class of medicines that work locally within the nasal passages to reduce allergic inflammation. It is licensed for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis, including seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and perennial allergic rhinitis (year round nasal allergy), in adults and young people aged 18 and over.

Each bottle contains enough solution for 180 metered sprays. At the standard recommended dose of two sprays in each nostril twice daily (200 micrograms per day), one bottle provides approximately 22 days of treatment. At a lower maintenance dose, the bottle lasts longer. Beconase is produced by Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Healthcare) and is one of the most widely recognised intranasal corticosteroid products available without prescription in the UK.

Important: Beconase works differently from nasal decongestant sprays. It is not a quick fix product for sudden nasal congestion. It works by reducing inflammation over several days of regular use. For full benefit, use it consistently every day throughout your hay fever season, even when your symptoms seem mild. Do not stop using it as soon as symptoms improve.

Intranasal Corticosteroid Action

Beclometasone dipropionate acts on glucocorticoid receptors within the cells of the nasal mucosa, the lining of the nasal passages. When these receptors are activated, they reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals including histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. These chemicals are released in the nasal lining when the immune system reacts to allergens such as pollen, house dust mite, or pet dander, and they cause the swelling, increased mucus production, and irritation that produce hay fever symptoms.

Delayed Onset and Why Consistent Use Matters

Because beclometasone works by reducing inflammation at a cellular level, it takes time to build up its effect. Most people notice an improvement in their symptoms within two to three days of starting treatment, but the full benefit develops over one to two weeks of consistent daily use. This is why Beconase works best when started two weeks before the hay fever season begins rather than waiting until symptoms are already severe. Using it regularly, even on days when symptoms seem manageable, maintains the anti-inflammatory effect and prevents the inflammation from building up again.

How It Compares to Antihistamines

Beconase and oral antihistamines are both used for hay fever but work through different mechanisms. Antihistamines block histamine receptors to reduce the immediate allergic response. Beconase reduces the underlying inflammation in the nasal lining. For many people with moderate to severe hay fever affecting the nose, intranasal corticosteroids such as beclometasone are more effective than antihistamines alone for nasal symptoms. Beconase and antihistamines can be used together if needed, and this combination is often recommended for people with both nasal and eye symptoms.

Before First Use

• Shake the bottle gently before use.
• Before using for the first time, or if the spray has not been used for several days, prime the pump by pressing it two or three times until a fine mist appears.
• Blow your nose gently before using the spray.

Administration Technique

• Hold the bottle upright with your thumb under the base and two fingers on the top of the bottle.
• Tilt your head slightly forward.
• Insert the nozzle gently into one nostril, directing it slightly away from the central partition of your nose.
• Press the pump once while breathing in gently through your nose.
• Repeat in the other nostril.
• Try not to sniff hard immediately after spraying, as this moves the medicine away from where it needs to work.
• Replace the cap after each use.

Recommended Dose

• Adults aged 18 and over: two sprays into each nostril, twice daily (morning and evening). This gives a total of 200 micrograms of beclometasone per day.
• Once symptoms are under control, your pharmacist may suggest reducing to two sprays into each nostril once daily as a maintenance dose.
• Do not exceed two sprays in each nostril twice daily.
• Continue using Beconase throughout the hay fever season, even if symptoms improve.

For best results during hay fever season, start using Beconase two weeks before you expect your symptoms to begin. Starting before pollen levels rise helps prevent the nasal inflammation from establishing itself.

Beconase Nasal Spray 50 micrograms/actuation

Each actuation (one spray) delivers 50 micrograms of beclometasone dipropionate. The bottle contains 180 metered sprays. At the standard dose of two sprays per nostril twice daily (eight sprays total per day, 400 micrograms per day - note: this is per nostril and total dose as follows: 2 sprays x 2 nostrils x 2 times = 8 sprays = 400 mcg), one bottle provides approximately 22 days of treatment. At a once-daily maintenance dose of two sprays per nostril once daily (200 micrograms per day), one bottle provides approximately 45 days of treatment.

Confirm the exact dose and duration recommended for your circumstances with your pharmacist. Beconase is for use in adults aged 18 and over only. It is not licensed for use in those under 18 in the Pharmacy Medicine format; younger patients with hay fever should be seen by a GP.

Beconase Nasal Spray is well tolerated by most adults at the recommended dose. Because beclometasone acts locally in the nose rather than being absorbed significantly into the bloodstream, systemic corticosteroid side effects are uncommon at the recommended dose.

Common Side Effects

• Nasal irritation, dryness, or discomfort in the nose or throat after using the spray.
• Sneezing immediately after use.
• An unpleasant taste or smell.
• Nosebleeds (epistaxis). These are usually mild and occur in some people who use nasal sprays regularly. Ensure correct technique and direct the spray away from the nasal septum.

Less Common Side Effects

• Nasal septal perforation (a hole in the partition between the nostrils) with prolonged high dose use. Use the correct technique and do not direct the spray at the central partition of the nose.
• Raised pressure in the eye (glaucoma) or clouding of the lens (cataract) with prolonged high dose use. These are rare at the recommended dose.
• Slowing of growth in children. This product is not licensed for use in those under 18.

Speak to a Pharmacist or GP Before Use If You

• Have an infection in the nose or sinuses. Treating a nasal infection with a corticosteroid spray alone is not appropriate.
• Have recently had nasal surgery or a nasal injury. Corticosteroid sprays can slow healing.
• Take other corticosteroid medicines (including inhalers, tablets, or skin creams) as the combined corticosteroid exposure may be relevant.
• Have glaucoma or a family history of glaucoma.

Suitable For

• Adults aged 18 and over with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or perennial allergic rhinitis (year round nasal allergy)
• Adults who want a corticosteroid nasal spray for allergy relief without a prescription
• Adults who need consistent daily nasal allergy management throughout the hay fever season

Not Suitable For

• Anyone under 18 years of age in this over-the-counter format. Young people with hay fever should be assessed by a GP.
• People with a known allergy to beclometasone or any other ingredient in the spray
• People with active nasal or sinus infections, unless the infection is being treated at the same time under medical supervision

Beconase (beclometasone) and Otrivine (xylometazoline) are both nasal sprays but work in completely different ways. Beconase is a corticosteroid that reduces allergic inflammation over several days of regular use. It is suitable for ongoing allergy management during hay fever season. Otrivine is a decongestant that narrows blood vessels to relieve a blocked nose quickly and works within minutes, but must not be used for more than 7 days. The two products serve different purposes and can be used together in the short term if both a blocked nose and ongoing allergy management are needed.

Beconase Nasal Spray is a Pharmacy Medicine and can be purchased from Pharmacy Planet without a prescription. It can be added to your basket and ordered directly through our website.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. All products are genuine, stored correctly, and dispatched by qualified pharmacy professionals. Our pharmacists are available to advise on hay fever management, including whether Beconase is the most appropriate product for your symptoms.

If you are unsure whether Beconase or another hay fever treatment is right for you, our pharmacy team is happy to help before you order.

• Store below 30°C.
• Do not freeze.
• Store upright.
• Keep the cap on the nozzle when not in use.
• Shake before use.
• Do not use after the expiry date on the packaging.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not share a nasal spray with other people.

Full instructions are provided in the patient information leaflet supplied with the product.

The table below compares the four nasal sprays in the Over the Counter category. These products work through entirely different mechanisms and are not interchangeable. Choosing the right one depends on whether you need quick decongestant relief, ongoing allergy management, or daily nasal hygiene.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A pharmacist or prescriber will advise which treatment is suitable for you following a consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy stocking a range of hay fever and allergy treatments, including nasal sprays, antihistamines, and eye drops. We provide clear, accurate product information to help you manage your hay fever effectively throughout the season.

All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains. Our pharmacists are available to answer questions about Beconase, hay fever management, or whether a different product may suit you better. We are committed to honest, patient centred care.

References

1. Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). Beconase Nasal Spray 50 micrograms — Summary of Product Characteristics. Haleon. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. NHS. Hay fever. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever. Accessed May 2026.
3. NHS. Allergic rhinitis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/allergic-rhinitis. Accessed May 2026.
4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Allergic rhinitis — CKS. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/allergic-rhinitis. Accessed May 2026.