Nasacort AQ 55 micrograms/dose, nasal spray suspension
What is in this leaflet:
1. What Nasacort AQ is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Nasacort AQ
3. How to use Nasacort AQ
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Nasacort AQ
6. Contents of the pack and 9ther information
1. WHAT NASACORT AQ IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR :
Nasacort AQ contains a medicine called triamcinolone acetonide. This belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids which means it is a type of steroid. It is given as a spray in the nose to treat the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Nasal symptoms of allergy include sneezing, itching, and having a blocked, stuffy or runny nose. These can be caused by things such as:
⦁ Animal fur or house dust mites. This type of allergy can happen at any time of the year and is called ‘perennial allergic rhinitis’.
⦁ Pollen. This type of allergy, such as hay fever, can be caused by different pollens in different seasons of the year. This is called ‘seasonal allergic rhinitis’.
This medicine only works if used on a regular basis and may not help your symptoms straight away. It helps some people within the first day of treatment, however, for other people it may take 3 to 4 days to feel a relief.
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU USE NASACORT AQ :
Contraindications:
Do not use Nasacort AQ:
⦁ If you are allergic to triamcinolone acetonide or any of the other
ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6) Signs of an allergic reaction to Nasacort AQ include: a rash (hives), itching, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or
tongue. Appropriate precautions for use: special warnings:
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Nasacort AQ:
⦁ If you have any infection of the nose or throat that is not treated. If you get a fungal infection while using Nasacort AQ, stop using the spray until the infection has been treated.
⦁ If you have recently had a nose operation, or had an injury or ulcer in the nose.
⦁ If you are being transferred from steroid injections or tablets to Nasacort AQ spray.
⦁ If you have had glaucoma or cataracts.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Children (under 6 years)
This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 6 years of age.
Operations or times of stress
Your doctor may advise you to take a higher than normal dose of this medicine for medical reasons. If your dose is increased, tell your doctor if you are going to have an operation or are feeling unwell. This is because higher than normal doses of this medicine can lower your body’s ability to heal or cope with stress. If this happens, your doctor may decide you need further treatment with another medicine to help.
Other medicines and nasacort AQ
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is because Nasacort AQ can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Nasacort AQ works.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Driving and using machines
Nasacort AQ has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.
Nasacort AQ contains benzalkonium chloride which can be an irritant and may cause skin reactions.
3. HOW TO USE NASACORT AQ :
Nasacort AQ is for nasal use only.
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The medicine only works if it is used regularly. It can take 3 to 4 days before you notice your symptoms getting better.
How much Nasacort AQ to use Adults and children (over 12 years)
⦁ The usual starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril each day
⦁ Once the symptoms of allergy are under control, the dose may be
lowered to 1 spray in each nostril each day
children (6 to 12 years)
⦁ The usual dose is 1 spray in each nostril each day
⦁ If the symptoms do not go away, then the dose may be increased to 2 sprays in each nostril each day
⦁ The dose can then be lowered again to 1 spray in each nostril each day
⦁ Do not use Nasacort AQ for more than 3 months in children under 12 years old
How to use the spray
Before using your nasal spray, blow your nose gently to clear your nostrils.
1. Preparing the bottle
⦁ Remove the cap by pulling upwards.
⦁ Shake the bottle gently before use.
2. If you are using the spray for the first time
⦁ Hold the bottle upright.
⦁ Point the spray away from you while doing this.
⦁ Fill the pump with spray by pressing the nozzle downwards. This is called priming.
⦁ Press and release it 5 times
⦁ Do this until a fine spray is produced
⦁ The spray is now ready to use.
3. Using the spray
⦁ Close one nostril with your finger
⦁ Hold the bottle upright and put the nozzle into the other nostril as far as is comfortable
⦁ Breathe in gently through your nose with your mouth closed
⦁ While you are doing this, press the nozzle to deliver one spray
4. Then breath out through your mouth
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 if you have to spray again in the same nostril and for the other nostril
6. After using the spray
⦁ To keep the spray nozzle clean, wipe it carefully with a clean tissue or handkerchief after each use
⦁ Replace the cap over the nozzle If the nasal spray has not been used for more than 2 weeks:
⦁ It needs to be primed again, to fill the nozzle with the spray
⦁ The nozzle should be pointed away from you while you are doing this
⦁ To prime, spray into the air once before use
⦁ Always shake the bottle gently before use cleaning the spray If the spray does not work, the nozzle may be blocked. Never try to unblock it or enlarge the tiny spray hole with a pin or other sharp objects. This is because it can stop the spray from working.
The nasal spray should be cleaned at least once a week. It can be cleaned more often if it gets blocked. Instructions for cleaning the spray:
1. Remove the cap
2. Gently pull off the spray nozzle only
3. Soak the cap and spray nozzle in warm water for
a few minutes
4. Rinse under the cold running tap water
5. Shake or tap to remove any water that is left
6. Allow to dry in the air
7. Re-fit the spray nozzle
8. Prime the nasal spray until a fine mist is formed
9. Use as normal
If you use more Nasacort AQ than you should
It is important that you take your dose as stated on the pharmacist’s label or as advised by your doctor. You should use only as much as your doctor recommends’ using more or less may make your symptoms worse. An overdose is unlikely to cause problems; however, if you have taken the entire contents of the bottle by mouth, you may have stomach or gut discomfort. Talk to a doctor if you use more Nasacort AQ than you should.
If you forget to use Nasacort AQ
If you have forgotten to use Nasacort AQ, use it as soon as you remember.
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using Nasacort AQ
If you stop using this medicine, your symptoms may return within a few days.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS :
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not
everybody gets them.
Stop using Nasacort AQ and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
⦁ you have an allergic reaction to Nasacort AQ. The signs (frequency not known) may include: a rash (hives), itching, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
⦁ Runny nose, headache, sore throat and/or cough
⦁ Nosebleeds
⦁ Inflammation/irritation of the airways (bronchitis)
⦁ Heartburn or indigestion
⦁ Flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle pain, weakness and/or fatigue)
⦁ Problems with teeth
Other side effects (Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
⦁ Irritation and dryness on the inside of your nose
⦁ Si nuses become congested or blocked
⦁ Sneezing
⦁ Changes in the way things taste or smell
⦁ Feeling sick (nausea)
⦁ Sleeping problems, feeling dizzy or tired
⦁ Shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
⦁ A decrease in the levels of cortisol in the blood (lab value)
⦁ Cloudiness of the lens in the eye (cataract), elevated pressure inside the eye ball (glaucoma)
In some people, Nasacort AQ can cause damage to the middle part of the inside of the nose (called ‘nasal septum’). Discuss any worries you may have about this with your doctor or pharmacist.
Additional side effects in Children
If your child has been using this medicine, it can affect how fast your child grows. This means that your doctor will need to regularly check your child’s height and therefore your doctor may lower the dose. In addition, your doctor may consider referring your child to a paediatric specialist.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. HOW TO STORE NASACORT AQ :
KEEP THIS MEDICINE OUT OFTHE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN
⦁ Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the bottle after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
⦁ Do not store above 25°C. ⦁ Following the first opening Nasacort AQ should be used within 1 month for the 30 spray pack or 2 months for the 120 spray pack.
⦁ Do not throwaway any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throwaway medicines you no longer use.
These measures will help protect the environment.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION :
What Nasacort AQ contains
The active substance is triamcinolone acetonide. One delivered dose
contains 55 micrograms of triamcinolone acetonide. The other ingredients are:
– microcrystalline cellulose and carmellose sodium (dispersible cellulose)
– polysorbate 80
– purified water
– anhydrous glucose
– benzalkonium chloride (50% w/v solution)
– disodium edetate
– hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide (for ph-adjustment)
The excipients with known effect are: benzalkonium chloride
What Nasacort AQ looks like and contents of the pack
Nasacort AQ is a nasal spray suspension. It comes in a white plastic bottle which has a pump to spray Nasacort AQ into your nostril through the spray nozzle. The bottle has’a protective cap to keep the nozzle clean and to stop it from spraying accidentally.
This one spray bottle holds at least 120 sprays (16.5 g of suspension which contains 9.075 mg triamcinolone acetonide) or at least 30 sprays (6.5 g of suspension which contains 3.575 mg
triamcinolone acetonide).
Not all pack sizes may be marketed in your country.
Manufacturer :
Aventis Pharma,
72 London Road, Holmes Chapel,
Crewe, Cheshire, CW48BE,
United Kingdom
