Nasacort 55 micrograms/dose, nasal spray, suspension

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet (see section 4).

What is in this leaflet

1. What Nasacort is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Nasacort
3. How to use Nasacort
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Nasacort
6. Contents of the pack and other information

Do not use Nasacort:

• 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 include: a rash (hives), itching, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.

Warning and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Nasacort:

• If you have any infection of the nose or throat that is not treated. If you get a fungal infection while using Nasacort, 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 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.

Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

Children (under 2 years)

This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 2 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

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This is because Nasacort can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Nasacort works.

Some medicines may increase the effects of Nasacort and your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking these medicines (including some medicines for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat).

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 has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive or use machines.

Nasacort contains benzalkonium chloride

This medicine contains 15 micrograms benzalkonium chloride in each spray.

Benzalkonium chloride may cause irritation or swelling inside the nose, especially if used for a long time.

How much Nasacort 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

Children (2 to 5 years)

• The usual dose is 1 spray in each nostril each day

Do not use Nasacort for more than 3 months in children under 12 years old.

An adult should help a young child use this medicine.

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 upward
• 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 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 than you should.

If you forget to use Nasacort

If you have forgotten to use Nasacort, 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

If you stop using this medicine, your symptoms may return within a few days.

Stop using Nasacort and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:

• You have an allergic reaction to Nasacort. 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
• Sinuses 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 eyeball (glaucoma)
• Blurred vision

In some people, Nasacort 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, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

What Nasacort 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)

What Nasacort looks like and contents of the pack

Nasacort is a nasal spray suspension. It comes in a white plastic bottle which has a pump to spray Nasacort 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 (16.5g of suspension which contains 9.075 mg triamcinolone acetonide) or at least 30 sprays (6.5g of suspension which contains 3.575 mg triamcinolone acetonide).

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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