Flunisolide Nasal Spray: MedlinePlus Drug Information

T Why is this medication prescribed?
P Flunisolide nasal spray is used to relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny, stuffy, or itchy nose caused by hay fever or other allergies. Flunisolide nasal spray should not be used to treat symptoms (e.g., sneezing, stuffy, runny, itchy nose) caused by the common cold. It is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works by blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause allergy symptoms.

T How should this medicine be used?
P Flunisolide comes as a solution (liquid) to spray in the nose. It is usually sprayed in each nostril 2 to 3 times a day but may be used less frequently after your symptoms are controlled.. Use flunisolide at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use flunisolide exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
P An adult should help children younger than 12 years old to use flunisolide nasal spray. Children younger than 6 years of age should not use this medication.
P Flunisolide nasal spray is only for use in the nose. Do not swallow the nasal spray and be careful not to spray it into your mouth or eyes.
P Each bottle of flunisolide nasal spray should only be used by one person. Do not share flunisolide nasal spray because this may spread germs.
P Flunisolide nasal spray controls the symptoms of hay fever or allergies but does not cure these conditions. Your symptoms may improve several days after you first use flunisolide, but it may take 1 to 2 weeks before you feel the full benefit of flunisolide. Flunisolide works best when used regularly. Use flunisolide on a regular schedule unless your doctor has told you to use it as needed. Call your doctor if your symptoms get worse or do not improve after you use flunisolide nasal spray for 3 weeks.
P Flunisolide nasal spray is designed to provide a certain number of sprays. After the marked number of sprays has been used, the remaining sprays in the bottle might not contain the correct amount of medication. You should keep track of the number of sprays you have used and throw away the bottle after you have used the marked number of sprays even if it still contains some liquid.
P Before you use flunisolide nasal spray for the first time, read the written directions that come with it. Follow these steps:
t To use the nasal spray, follow these steps:
- Remove the dust cover.
- If you are using the pump for the first time, have not used it for 5 days or more, or have just cleaned the nozzle, you must prime it by following steps 3 to 4 below. If you have used the pump in the past 5 days, skip to step 5.
- Hold the spray with the applicator between your forefinger and middle finger and the bottom of the bottle resting on your thumb. Point the applicator away from your face.
- If you are using the spray for the first time, have used the pump before but not within the past 5 days, or have just cleaned the nozzle, press down and release the pump 5 or 6 times until you see a fine spray.
- Gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.
- Tilt your head slightly forward and carefully put the nasal applicator tip into your nostril. Be sure to keep the bottle upright.
- Hold one nostril closed with your finger.
- Hold the pump with the applicator between your forefinger and middle finger and the bottom resting on your thumb.
- Begin to breathe in through your nose.
- While you are breathing in, use your forefinger and middle finger to press firmly and quickly down on the applicator and release a spray.
- Breathe gently in through the nostril and breathe out through your mouth.
- Remove the pump from the nostril and bend your head back to let the medication spread over the back of the nose.
- If your doctor told you to use two sprays in that nostril, repeat steps 6 to 12.
- Repeat steps 6 to 13 in the other nostril.
- Wipe the applicator with a clean tissue and cover it with the dust cover.Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

T Other uses for this medicine
P This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

T What special precautions should I follow?
t Before using flunisolide nasal spray,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to flunisolide, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in flunisolide nasal spray. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention: prednisone (Rayos). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have recently had surgery on your nose, or injured your nose in any way, frequent nose bleeds, or if you have sores in your nose, if you have or have ever had cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye), glaucoma (an eye disease), asthma (sudden episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, and trouble breathing), any type of infection, or a herpes infection of the eye (an infection that causes a sore on the eyelid or eye surface). Also tell your doctor if you have chicken pox, measles, or tuberculosis (TB; a type of lung infection), or if you have been around someone who has one of these conditions.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using flunisolide, call your doctor.

T What should I do if I forget a dose?
P Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.

T What side effects can this medication cause?
t Flunisolide nasal spray may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- nasal irritation, burning, stuffiness, or dryness
- sore throat
- sneezing
- severe or frequent nosebleeds
- watery eyes
- bloody mucus in nose
- loss of smell or taste
- nausea
- vomiting
- lack of energy
- depression
- joint or muscle pain
- muscle weakness
- bruise easily
t Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using flunisolide nasal spray or get emergency medical treatment:
- vision problems
- white patches in the throat, mouth, or nose
P You should know that this medication may cause children to grow at a slower rate. Talk to your child's doctor to see how long your child needs to use this medication. Talk to your child's doctor if you have concerns about your child's growth while they are using this medication.
P Flunisolide nasal spray may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
P If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

T What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
P Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
P Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
P It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

T What other information should I know?
P Keep all appointments with your doctor.
P You should clean your nasal spray applicator periodically. You will need to remove the dust cap and then pull on the applicator to remove it from the bottle. Soak the applicator in warm water by spraying it several times while under water, then let it completely dry at room temperature and place it back on the bottle.
P If the spray tip is clogged, wash it in warm water and dry it. Do not use pins or other sharp objects to remove the blockage.
P It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
P 

T Brand names
- Nasalide®¶
- Nasarel®¶

