Rhinocort Aqua (Budesonide)

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Rhinocort Aqua 64mcg

Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by: AstraZeneca
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Rhinocort Aqua 64mcg
Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by AstraZeneca
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Budesonide Spray 64mcg

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Budesonide Spray 64mcg
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Manufactured by UK Various Generics
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Rhinocort Aqua 64mcg

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Manufactured by: AstraZeneca
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Rhinocort Aqua 64mcg
Product of Canada
Manufactured by AstraZeneca
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Budesonide Spray 64mcg

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Manufactured by: Mylan
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Budesonide Spray 64mcg
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Rhinocort Aqua (Budesonide) Dosage and Side Effects

RHINOCORT AQUA is used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever), perennial (year-round) rhinitis, and nasal polyps and to prevent new nasal polyps from appearing after surgery (polypectomy).

Warnings and Precautions

 BEFORE you use RHINOCORT AQUA talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you:
  • are allergic to budesonide or any of the other ingredients in RHINOCORT AQUA;

  • have or have had lung tuberculosis or any other recent infection. RHINOCORT AQUA may hide some symptoms of infection or may cause the symptoms of infection to worsen. You may be more likely to get an infection while taking RHINOCORT AQUA;

  • have asthma;

  • have thyroid problems;

  • have open wounds after recent nasal surgery or trauma;

  • have or had liver problems;

  • are taking, or have previously taken steroids either as an injection or by mouth within the past several months;

  • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant;

  • are breastfeeding;

  • about all health problems you have now or have had in the past.

Local corticosteroids such as RHINOCORT AQUA may cause:

  • slower growth in children. Continuous long-term use in children is not recommended as the effects are not fully known. Your child’s doctor should regularly monitor their growth while they are taking RHINOCORT AQUA.

  • symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome, such as thinning fragile skin that bruises easily, rapid weight gain around the body and face, excess sweating, and muscle and bone weakness.

Exposure to measles or chicken pox:

You should avoid coming into contact with people who have measles or chicken pox while taking RHINOCORT AQUA. If you are exposed, tell your doctor right away.

Transfer to RHINOCORT AQUA from an oral corticosteroid:

If you have been prescribed RHINOCORT AQUA and are taking oral steroid medication, your doctor may gradually reduce the dose of your tablets. This may happen over a period of weeks or months.

You should contact your doctor if you get symptoms such as:

  • headache

  • tiredness

  • muscle and joint pain

  • nausea or vomiting

  • depression

  • rash

  • runny nose

  • coughing, especially at night, during exercise or when laughing

  • difficulty breathing

  • chest tightness

  • shortness of breath

  • wheezing.

Side Effects

Common side effects are:

  • nose and throat irritation,
  • nose bleeding and crusting

Other side effects include:

  • itchy and sore throat
  • cough
  • fatigue
  • nausea/dizziness
  • headache

Uncommon side effects that may occur when also taking an oral steroid:

  • asthma
  • skin rash
  • itching or swelling in the face
  • Cushing’s syndrome (hypercorticism)

Interactions with this medication

As with most medicines, interactions with other drugs are possible. Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about all the medicines you take, including drugs prescribed by other doctors, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements, or alternative medicines.

Drugs that may interact with RHINOCORT AQUA include:

  • ritonavir used to treat HIV or AIDS;

  • ketoconazole/ itraconazole used to treat fungal infections.

Proper Use of this medication

This medicine is prescribed for you by your doctor. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

RHINOCORT AQUA:

  • Is for use in the nose only. Do not use it in your eyes or mouth.
  • May take 2-3 days (and up to 2 weeks) to work. Take it each day without missing a dose to get the best results.

Take RHINOCORT AQUA exactly as recommended by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s directions carefully. They may differ from the information in this leaflet.

Do not take more of your medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you. Do not stop taking RHINOCORT AQUA even if you feel better unless told to do so by your doctor.

For seasonal allergic rhinitis, RHINOCORT AQUA works best if it is started before allergy season begins.

If your nose is blocked, decongestant nose drops may be used during the first 2-3 days of the treatment.

This drug does not relieve allergy symptoms in the eyes. If your eyes bother you, your doctor may be able to give you some additional medicine to relieve these symptoms.

Tell your doctor if:

  • your symptoms have not improved after 3 weeks of taking RHINOCORT AQUA.
  • your nose becomes irritated.
  • you have a yellow or green discharge from your nose.
  • you have repeated nose bleeds.

Children using RHINOCORT AQUA should be supervised by an adult. This is to ensure that the correct dose is given as prescribed by the doctor.

Adults and Children (6 years and older):

Depending on how RHINOCORT AQUA works for you, your doctor may change your dose.

Rhinitis:

RHINOCORT AQUA can be taken once a day or twice a day.

Usual once a day starting dose: 2 sprays into each nostril once a day (in the morning)

Usual twice a day starting dose: 1 spray into each nostril twice a day (in the morning and evening)

Maintenance dose: Use the lowest effective dose necessary to control symptoms.

Nasal Polyps:

Usual Dose: 1 spray into each nostril twice a day (in the morning and evening)

Treatment with RHINOCORT AQUA should not be stopped abruptly, but tapered off gradually.

Overdose:

In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed dose:

  • If you miss a dose take it as soon as possible. Then go back to your regular schedule.
  • If it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time.
  • Do NOT take a double dose of RHINOCORT AQUA to make up for a missed dose. If you are still unsure, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see what you should do.

How to use your RHINOCORT AQUA:

Before you start using RHINOCORT AQUA for the first time, it is important that you read the instructions below and follow them carefully (see package insert for illustrations).

  1. How to prepare a NEW sprayer for use:
  2. When using the spray for the first time, you must prepare the spray.
  3. Step 1: Turn the bottle upside-down 3 to 4 times. Remove the protective cap from the nose piece.
  4. Step 2: Load the pump by pressing downwards on the collar. Use your index and middle fingers while supporting the base of the bottle with your thumb (Figure 1). Press down 5 to 10 times until a fine mist spray appears. Avoid spraying the mist in your eyes.
  5. NOTE: If not used daily the pump must be loaded again. This time you just need to pump once into the air.
  6. The spray is now ready for use.
  7. How to take a dose:
  8. Step 1: Turn the bottle upside-down 3 to 4 times. Remove the protective cap from the nose piece.
  9. Step 2: If you did not use your spray yesterday, make sure you prepare the pump by pressing down once only (Figure 1).
  10. Step 3: Gently blow your nose. Hold the bottle as shown. Tilt your head forward slightly. Close one nostril with a finger and gently insert the tip of the nose piece into the other nostril (Figure 2).
  11. Step 4: For each spray your doctor has instructed you to take, press firmly downwards once on the collar. Breathe gently inwards through the nostril, then breathe out through the mouth.
  12. Step 5: Repeat the procedure for the other nostril.
  13. Step 6: Replace the protective cap on the nose piece. Keep the bottle in an upright position.

Cleaning:

Clean the nose piece and protective cap regularly. To clean the nose piece, remove the protective cap, press upwards on the collar and the nose piece will come off. Wash the nose piece and protective cap under lukewarm water. Air dry and replace the nose piece and the protective cap back on the bottle and reload as in Step #2. Do not try to clean the nasal applicator by using a pin or sharp object.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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