Fluticasone nasal preparations

About fluticasone nasal preparations

Fluticasone nasal spray is used to prevent, or ease, la rinite. This is a condition where the inside of your nose becomes inflamed and irritated. Common symptoms include sneezing, a blocked or congested nose, a watery discharge (runny nose), and an itchy nose. It is commonly caused by allergies, such as hay fever. Fluticasone belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It reduces inflammation and swelling and so relieves the congestion, itching, sneezing, irritation and discomfort of nasal allergies.

Fluticasone nasal spray is prescribable by a doctor and there are several different brands available. You can also buy smaller packs of some brands without a prescription at pharmacies.

The Dymista® brand of fluticasone spray also contains a medicine called azelastine. Azelastine is an antihistamine. Antihistamines help to ease the symptoms of rhinitis too.

Fluticasone nose drops (brand Flixonase® Nasule) are used for polipi nasali. Polyps are small growths inside the nose that can cause symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using fluticasone, speak with a doctor or pharmacist for advice:

• Se hai un'infezione al naso.

• Se hai recentemente subito un intervento chirurgico al naso.

• Se hai la tubercolosi (TB).

• If it is intended for a child. (Fluticasone is suitable for use by children, but only if it has been prescribed by a doctor.)

• Se sei incinta o stai allattando.

• Se stai assumendo o utilizzando altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

How to use fluticasone nasal spray

1. Read the manufacturer's instructions to make sure you know how to work the spray. Some sprays have a button to push; others work by pushing down on a collar around the bottle.

2. Shake the bottle well and remove the cap. (Before you use the spray for the first time, activate the spray a few times until you can see a fine mist in the air - this only needs to be done when you first start using a new bottle.)

3. Soffiati il naso delicatamente per liberarlo.

4. Close one nostril by placing a finger against one side of your nose. Tilt your head forward slightly and insert the nozzle of the spray into the other nostril. Try to keep the bottle upright as you do this.

5. Inspira attraverso il naso mentre attivi lo spray. Poi rimuovi l'ugello dalla narice ed espira attraverso la bocca. Ripeti se stai usando due spruzzi per ogni dose.

6. Ripeti il passaggio sopra nell'altra narice.

7. Wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue and replace the cap.

How to use fluticasone nose drops

1. Soffiati il naso delicatamente per liberarlo.

2. Remove one of the containers from the strip in the foil pack. Flick or shake the container to make sure the contents are well mixed. Hold the container so that the liquid is in the bottom and then twist the top tab to remove it.

3. In order to put the drops in so that the solution spreads all over the inside of your nose, it is best to lie on a bed with your head hanging backwards over an edge. An alternative is to kneel or bend forwards with your head down. (Do not stand with your head just tipped backwards, as the drops will not reach all the surfaces inside your nose if you do this.)

4. Squeeze the container to release half of the solution into one nostril, and the rest into your other nostril (this will mean putting about six drops into each nostril). Stay lying or bending down for two minutes after putting in the drops before getting up. This is so that the liquid stays for a while in your nose and does not immediately run out of your nose or down the back of your throat.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. This will give you a step-by-step guide of how to use the spray/drops, and will also give you a full list of the side-effects which you may experience.

• Try to remember to use fluticasone regularly, even if your symptoms are controlled. If you forget a dose at your usual time, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due. If your next dose is due then have the dose which is due and leave out the forgotten one. Do not 'double up' to make up for a missed dose.

If you are using fluticasone nasal spray

• Use the spray in both nostrils. Depending upon the brand of spray you are given, it is usual for adults to use two sprays into each nostril once daily (brands Flixonase®, Nasofan®, Avamys®). The dose for Dymista® brand is one spray into each nostril twice daily. Check the label on the container carefully and make sure you use the correct dose.

• Try to use the spray at the same times each day. Once your symptoms are well controlled, you may be able to reduce your dose to just one spray into each nostril once a day, but check the label to make sure this is suitable for the brand you are using. It is important that you continue to use the spray regularly, even if your symptoms are controlled.

• If you have bought the spray without seeing a doctor and your symptoms have not improved after seven days of using it, you should make an appointment to see your doctor to check that it is the correct treatment for you.

• Do not use the spray more often or for a longer period than is recommended on the label, as this can increase the risk of side-effects. Treatment with fluticasone may be continued for up to a maximum of three months (it may be longer than this if prescribed by a doctor).

• Se stai usando lo spray per la febbre da fieno, potrebbe essere utile iniziare a usarlo 2-3 settimane prima dell'inizio della stagione della febbre da fieno. Questo perché ci vogliono alcuni giorni di trattamento prima di sentire l'effetto completo, quindi iniziare prima che il conteggio del polline aumenti aiuterà a prevenire lo sviluppo dei sintomi.

If you are using fluticasone nose drops

• Use the drops once or twice daily as recommended by your doctor. If your symptoms have not improved after 4-6 weeks of using the drops, contact your doctor for further advice.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with fluticasone. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet inside your pack. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti a questo medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.

• Flixonase Nasules® only keep for four weeks once the foil wrapper has been opened. Always keep unused Nasules® in the foil and dispose of any which are unused after this time.

• Check the label for how long you can use fluticasone spray once it has been opened. After this time, get a fresh supply.