Rhinocort aqua nasal spray contains the active ingredient budesonide, which is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid (or steroid). Corticosteroids are hormones produced naturally by the adrenal glands that have many important functions, including control of inflammatory responses. Budesonide nasal spray is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

What is it used for?

  • Preventing and treating symptoms of seasonal nasal allergies (seasonal allergic rhinitis) such as hay fever.
  • Preventing and treating symptoms of nasal allergies that occur throughout the year (perennial allergic rhinitis), for example due to pet allergies or dust mite allergies.
  • Inflammation of the nasal lining not due to infection or allergy (vasomotor rhinitis).
  • Nasal polyps.
  • This nasal spray is suitable for adults and adolescents over 12 years of age.

How does it work?

  • Rhinocort aqua nasal spray contains the active ingredient budesonide, which is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid (or steroid). Corticosteroids are hormones produced naturally by the adrenal glands that have many important functions, including control of inflammatory responses.
Budesonide nasal spray is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.
  • Budesonide is a synthetic corticosteroid and is adminstered by nasal spray to decrease inflammation in the nasal passages.
  • People who suffer from nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis) such as hay fever tend to experience a variety of symptoms as a result of their allergy. These include a runny, itchy or blocked nose, sneezing and sinus discomfort. These symptoms are a result of inflammation in the nasal passages.
  • The nasal inflammation occurs when the nasal passages are exposed to foreign particles (allergens), for example, pollen, dust mites or pet fur. The allergens cause the cells in the nose to release chemicals that produce immune and allergic responses. These result in inflammation in the nasal passages and the symptoms of the allergy.
  • When administered into the nose, budesonide is absorbed into the cells of the nasal passages. It works by preventing these cells from releasing the chemicals that trigger the allergic response. This stops the allergic reaction from happening, so the nasal inflammation is reduced and the symptoms relieved.
  • Nasal inflammation giving hay fever-type symptoms can also sometimes occur without allergy or infection. This is called vasomotor rhinitis and can also be treated with budesonide nasal spray.
  • The nasal spray will not relieve the symptoms of nasal inflammation immediately, and it can take a few days to have its full effect. For allergies it is therefore most effective to start using the nasal spray a few days before you expect to get symptoms, for example before the start of the pollen season, or if you know you are going to be in contact with pets that give you the allergy. For maximum benefit, the spray should then be used regularly while you are still being exposed to the allergen to keep the nasal inflammation under control.
  • This nasal spray can also be used to treat nasal polyps, which are growths in the nose that occur when the linings of the sinuses become inflamed and swollen, usually as a result of allergy or infection. The inflamed linings push out into the nasal passages, forming the polyps, which can block the nose, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. When budesonide is administered into the nose it reduces the inflammation and so helps to shrink the polyps.
  • How do I use it?

    • Follow the instructions provided with the nasal spray. You should shake the bottle gently before use.
    • Before you use the nasal spray for the first time it needs to be primed by pumping it into the air 5 to 10 times until a fine mist is produced. Hold the bottle upright and away from you while you are doing this. If the nasal spray hasn''t been used for 24 hours you should reprime it in this way before using it again.
    • Follow this link for general instructions on how to use a nasal spray.
    • To treat allergies such as hay fever, adults and adolescents should use either two sprays in each nostril every morning, or one spray in each nostril twice a day, morning and evening. Follow the instructions given by your doctor. Once your symptoms are under control you should reduce your dose to one spray in each nostril once a day. The spray should preferably be used in the morning, though it can be used any time of day if necessary. You should always use the lowest dose necessary to relieve your symptoms. Do not use more than your doctor has prescribed.
    • For allergies, you should preferably start using this nasal spray a few days before you expect to come into contact with the allergen and continue using it regularly all the time you are still exposed to the thing you are allergic to. However you shouldn't use it continuously for more than three months. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
    • For the treatment of nasal polyps, adults and adolescents should use one spray in each nostril twice a day, morning and evening, for up to three months. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.
    • If you forget to use your nasal spray use it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. In this case just leave out the forgotten dose and take the next dose as normal. Don''t use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

    Use with caution in

    • People with an infection in the nasal passages or sinuses (the infection should be treated).
    • People who have recently had nasal surgery or an injury to the nose (this medicine should not be used until the nose has healed).
    • People with tuberculosis affecting the lungs.

    Not to be used in

    • Children under 12 years of age.
    • This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

    If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

    Pregnancy and breastfeeding

    Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

    • The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. Only minimal amounts of the medicine pass into the bloodstream after using the nasal spray. It should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the developing baby. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.
    • This medicine may pass into breast milk, although after application into the nose the amount that passes into breast milk is probably too small to be harmful to a nursing infant. The manufacturer states that this medicine can be used during breastfeeding. However, as with all medicines, it is important to seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.

    Side effects

    Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

    Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)

    • Nosebleeds.
    • Dryness and irritation of the nose.

    Uncommon (affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people)

    • Allergic reactions such as rash, itching or swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema).

    Rare (affect between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 people)

    • Side effects similar to those associated with corticosteroids taken by mouth may occur if this medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream. This is unlikely unless the medicine is used at high doses for prolonged periods of time. See the warning section above or talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

    Very rare (affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people)

    • Perforation of the nasal septum.
    • Ulceration in the nose.

    Frequency unknown

    • Raised pressure in the eye or glaucoma.
    • Cataract.

    The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.

    For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

    How can this medicine affect other medicines?

    • This medicine is only absorbed into the bloodstream in very small amounts after application into the nose. As such, it is unlikely to significantly affect other medicines that you are taking. However, if you are taking any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start treatment with this medicine. This is particularly important if you are or have recently been using any other medicines that contain corticosteroids, for example tablets, injections, eye or nose drops, creams, asthma inhalers, or other similar nasal sprays. This is because there may be an increased chance of adverse effects if you are using more than one type of steroid medication and your doctor may want to monitor you more closely.
    • If you are prescribed a long course (more than one or two weeks) of the antifungals itraconazole or ketoconazole while using this medicine, the antifungal may decrease the breakdown of budesonide by the body. This could increase the risk of its side effects. However, short courses of these antifungals do not have a significant effect on this medicine.
    • The anti-HIV medicine ritonavir and telaprevir for hepatitis C may also decrease the breakdown of budesonide and thus increase the risk of its side effects.

    References:

    http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/allergy-and-asthma/a7468/rhinocort-aqua-nasal-spray-budesonide/

    https://www.rhinocort.com

    https://www.drugs.com/rhinocort.html

    https://www.drugs.com/pro/rhinocort-aqua.html

    https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/14344

    https://www.flonase.com/news/flonase/rhinocort-vs-flonase/

    http://www.rxlist.com/rhinocort-aqua-drug.htm

     

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