Patient leaflet - Flixonase Nasule drops
1. What Flixonase Nasule Drops are and what they are used for
Flixonase Nasule Drops contain a medicine called fluticasone propionate. This belongs to a group of medicines called steroids (also called
‘corticosteroids’).
- Steroids work by reducing inflammation
- they reduce swelling and irritation in your nose
- this helps to relieve itching, sneezing and your blocked or runny nose.
Flixonase Nasule Drops are used to treat:
- Small growths inside the nose (polyps)
Symptoms associated with nasal obstruction. Flixonase Nasule Drops are provided in small plastic containers (Nasules).
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Flixonase Nasule Drops
(fluticasone propionate)
POM
®
Ref: 1526/201021/1/F
®
2. What you need to know before you use Flixonase Nasule Drops
Do not use Flixonase Nasule Drops:
- if you are allergic to fluticasone propionate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Take special care with Flixonase Nasule Drops
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using your medicine:
- if you have an infection in your nose. If you are not sure if the above applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Flixonase Nasule Drops.
Flixonase Nasule Drops may lower the normal production of steroid hormones in your body, particularly if doses higher than those recommended are used for a long time. In this situation people may need to take extra steroids in times of extreme stress, following serious injury or before a surgical operation.
It is important therefore that you are taking the lowest dose of Flixonase Nasule Drops to control your symptoms. Your doctor will check you for signs of any problems.
Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
Other medicines and Flixonase Nasule Drops
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken any prescribed medicines, including medicines or herbal products obtained without a prescription.
Particularly if:
- you are taking a type of antiviral medicine known as a protease inhibitor (such as ritonavir)
- you are taking a medicine used to treat fungal infections (such as ketoconazole)
- you have had steroids for a long time, either as an injection or by your mouth.
Some medicines may increase the effect of Flixonase nasule drops and your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking these medicines (including some medicines for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not use Flixonase Nasule Drops if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding, unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
Driving and using machines
Flixonase Nasule Drops are not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
3. How to use Flixonase Nasule Drops
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you to. Don’t exceed the recommended dose. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Do not use in children or young people under 16 years old.
- Only use in your nose, contact with the eyes should be avoided.
It may take a few weeks for this medicine to work.
So keep using it, even though you may not feel better straight away.
- You should use Flixonase Nasule Drops every day.
How much to use - adults (over 16 years of age)
- The usual starting dose is one single-use plastic container (400 micrograms) divided equally between each nostril, once or twice a day.
- As your symptoms improve, your doctor may ask you to use a lower dose.
If your symptoms do not improve after 4 to 6 weeks your doctor may change your medicine.
How to put the drops in
Before you put the drops in, you must choose one of the positions shown in these pictures. Although they may not be easy, the positions will make sure the drops get to where they are needed.
- 1. Gently blow your nose to clear it.
- 2. While standing up, bend right over.
- 3. If you can’t do this, kneel down and then bend right over.
- 4. Put the opened container into one nostril and gently squeeze.
- 5. Keep squeezing until the sides of the container touch each other. This will mean that about half the dose has been given (about 6 drops).
- 6. Repeat this step to use the rest in your other nostril.
- 7. Stay with your head down for at least one minute after putting the drops in.
If these positions are difficult you can lie on a bed with your head tilted over the edge. After you have put the drops in, rest your head sideways on the bed for at least one minute.
Be careful not to get the drops in your eyes or on broken skin. If you do, rinse your eyes or skin with water immediately.
If you use more Flixonase Nasule Drops than you should
Tell your doctor if you use more than you were told to.
What the plastic container looks like
Using your Flixonase Nasule drops
- 1. Open the foil pack by tearing off one side. Do not open the pack until the drops are needed.
- 2. Take out the strip of plastic containers from the foil and pull off one container.
- 3. Put the remaining containers back into the foil pack and put the pack back in the box.
- 4.
Flick and shake the plastic container several times.
The contents of the container must be well mixed before use.
- 5. Then shake downwards to make sure the liquid is not in the neck of the container.
- 6.
Hold the bottom tab of the container firmly. Twist and remove the top tab to open it.
Ref: 1526/201021/1/B
If you forget to use Flixonase Nasule Drops
If you miss a dose, just use the next dose when it
is due.
Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Flixonase Nasule Drops
Do not stop treatment even if you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you do stop, the symptoms may come back.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine.
Allergic reactions: get a doctor’s help straight away
A small number of people get allergic reactions to Flixonase Nasule Drops, which can develop into a more serious, even life-threatening problem if not treated. Symptoms include;
- becoming very wheezy, coughing or having difficulty with breathing
- suddenly feeling weak or light-headed (which may lead to collapse or loss of consciousness)
- swelling around the face, mouth or tongue
- skin rashes or redness.
In many cases, these symptoms will be signs of less serious side effects. But you must be aware
that they are potentially serious — so, if you notice any of these symptoms:
See a doctor as soon as possible.
Allergic reactions to Flixonase Nasule Drops are very rare (These affect less than 1 in 10,000 people).
Other side effects include:
Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 people)
- Nose bleeds.
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
- A dry or irritated nose or throat.
Very rare (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
Cloudy lens (cataract), increased pressure in the eye that can cause problems with vision (glaucoma).
These eye problems occurred in people who used Flixonase Nasule Drops for a long time.
- Small holes (perforations) in the ridge inside the nose that separates the nostrils.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Blurred vision
- Sores in the nose
In addition, the production of steroids in your body may be affected. This is more likely to happen if you use high doses for a long time. Your doctor will help stop this happening by making sure you use the lowest dose of steroid which controls your symptoms.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 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.
5. How to store Flixonase Nasule Drops
- KEEP OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN
- Do not store above 30°C.
- Do not freeze.
- Store Flixonase Nasule Drops in their foil wrapper and in the carton in an upright position.
- Do not use Flixonase Nasule Drops after the expiry date stated on pouch label or carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Discard any unused Flixonase Nasule Drops 28 days after first opening the foil wrapper.
- If your medicine shows any signs of deterioration, ask your pharmacist who will advise you what to do.
- Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information What Flixonase Nasule Drops contain
- The active substance is fluticasone propionate.
- Each Nasule contains 400 micrograms of fluticasone propionate.
- The other ingredients are polysorbate 20, sorbitan laurate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, disodium phosphate anhydrous, sodium chloride and water for injections.
What Flixonase Nasule Drops look like and contents of the pack
Flixonase Nasule Drops are a white to off-white powder in an aqueous suspension.
Each pack contains 28 Nasules.
Manufacturer and Licence Holder
Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited, 12 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Ireland and is procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence Holder: Lexon (UK) Limited, Unit 18, Oxleasow Road, East Moons Moat, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 0RE.
If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They will have additional information about this medicine and will be able to advise you.
PL 15184/1526 - Flixonase Nasule Drops
Flixonase and Nasule are registered trademarks of the GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.
Leaflet revision date: 20/10/21
Blind or partially sighted? Is this leaflet hard to see or read? Phone Lexon (UK) Limited,
Tel: 01527 505414 to obtain the leaflet in a format suitable for you