CLARINAZE ALLERGY CONTROL 0.05% NASAL SPRAY - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. what clarinaze allergy control is and what it is used for

What is Clarinaze Allergy Control?

Clarinaze Allergy Control nasal spray contains mometasone furoate, one of a group of medicines called corticosteroids. When mometasone furoate is sprayed into the nose, it can help to relieve inflammation (swelling and irritation of the nose), sneezing, itching and a blocked up or runny nose.

What is Clarinaze Allergy Control used for?

Clarinaze Allergy Control is used to treat the nasal symptoms of hayfever (also called seasonal allergic rhinitis) and perennial allergic rhinitis in adults aged 18 years and older.

Hayfever, which occurs at certain times of the year, is an allergic reaction caused by breathing in pollen from trees, grasses, weeds and also moulds and fungal spores. Perennial allergic rhinitis occurs throughout the year and symptoms can be caused by a sensitivity to a variety of things including house dust mite, animal hair (or dander), feathers and certain foods. Clarinaze Allergy Control reduces the swelling and irritation in your nose thereby relieving sneezing, itching and a blocked-up or runny nose caused by hayfever or perennial allergic rhinitis.

2. what you need to know before you use clarinaze allergy control

Do not use Clarinaze Allergy Control

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to mometasone furoate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you have an untreated infection in your nose. Use of Clarinaze Allergy Control during an untreated infection in your nose, such as herpes, can worsen the infection.

You should wait until the infection is resolved before you start using the nasal spray.

• if you have recently had an operation on your nose or you have injured your nose. You should not use the nasal spray until your nose has healed.
• if you are under 18 years of age.
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding without talking to your doctor first.
• for more than 3 months without consulting your doctor.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Clarinaze Allergy Control

• if you have or have ever had tuberculosis.
• if you have any other infection.
• if you are taking other corticosteroid medicines, either by mouth or by injection.
• if you have cystic fibrosis.

While you are using Clarinaze Allergy Control, talk to your doctor or pharmacist

• if your immune system is not functioning well (you have difficulty fighting infection) and you come into contact with anyone with measles or chickenpox. You should avoid coming into contact with anyone who has these infections.
• if you have an infection of the nose or throat.
• if you have persistent irritation to the nose or throat.
• if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

When corticosteroid nasal sprays are used at high doses for long periods of time, side effects may occur due to the drug being absorbed in the body.

Other medicines and Clarinaze Allergy Control

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines whilst using Clarinaze Allergy Control, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

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

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Talk to your pharmacist before using this medicine if you are taking any prescribed corticosteroid medicines (including eczema creams, asthma inhalers, injections, nasal sprays and eye or nose drops). A few people may find that once they discontinue oral or injected corticosteroids they suffer from some undesirable effects, such as joint or muscular pain, weakness and depression.

You may also seem to develop other allergies, such as itchy, watering eyes or patches of red and itchy skin. If you develop any of these effects, you should contact your doctor or pharmacist.

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Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Clarinaze Allergy Control if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

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Driving and using machines

There is no known information on the effect of Clarinaze Allergy Control on the ability to drive or use machinery.

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Clarinaze Allergy Control contains benzalkonium chloride

Clarinaze Allergy Control contains 0.02mg benzalkonium chloride per spray which is equivalent to 0.2mg/g. This ingredient may cause irritation or swelling inside the nose, especially if used for a long time.

3. How to use Clarinaze Allergy Control

Always use Clarinaze Allergy Control according to the instructions in this leaflet. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Do not use a larger dose or use the spray more often or for longer than instructed.

Treatment of Symptoms of Hayfever and Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Adults (aged 18 years and over)

The usual dose is two sprays into each nostril once a day.

• Once your nasal symptoms are under control, you may reduce the dose to one spray into each nostril once a day.
• Use the lowest possible dose to control your symptoms.
• Do not use more than four sprays in a day.
• Do not use more than the recommended dose.

If your symptoms have not improved within 14 days, you should see your doctor or pharmacist.

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In some patients Clarinaze Allergy Control begins to relieve nasal symptoms within 12 hours after the first dose; however full benefit of treatment may not be seen in the first two days. Therefore, you should continue regular use to achieve the full benefit of treatment.

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If you suffer badly from hayfever, you can start using Clarinaze Allergy Control some days before the start of the pollen season, as this will help to prevent your hayfever symptoms from occurring.

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Children or adolescents under 18 years

Do not use in children and adolescents under 18 years.

Preparing your nasal spray for use

Your Clarinaze Allergy Control Nasal Spray has a dust cap which protects the nozzle and keeps it clean. Remember to take this off before using the spray and to replace it after use.

If you are using the spray for the first time you need to “prime” the bottle by pumping the spray 10 times until a fine mist is produced:

• 1. Gently shake the bottle.

• 2. Put your forefinger and middle finger either side of the nozzle and your thumb underneath the bottle. Do Not pierce the nasal applicator.

• 3. Point the nozzle away from you and then press down with your fingers to pump the spray 10 times until a fine mist is produced.

If you have not used the spray for 14 days or more, you need to “re-prime” the bottle by pumping the spray 2 times until a fine mist is produced.

4. Possible side effects

5. How to store Clarinaze Allergy Control

6. Contents of the pack and other information

/What Clarinaze Allergy Control looks like and contents of the pack