NASOFAN AQUEOUS 50 MICROGRAMSNASAL SPRAY - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. what nasofan nasal spray is and what it is used for

Your medicine is called Nasofan Nasal Spray and contains 50 micrograms of the active ingredient, fluticasone propionate, in each spray. Fluticasone propionate is one of a group of medicines known as corticosteroids.

Nasofan Nasal Spray has anti-inflammatory properties. When sprayed into your nose it will reduce swelling and irritation. It is used to prevent and treat seasonal allergic rhinitis (e.g. hayfever) and perennial rhinitis (e.g. blocked or runny nose and sneezing and itching caused by house dust mites or animals such as cats and dogs). It can be used by adults and children aged 4 years and older.

2. what you need to know before you use nasofan nasal spray

Do not use Nasofan Nasal Spray:

• if you are allergic to fluticasone propionate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Nasofan Nasal Spray:

• if you have ever had an operation to your nose.
• if you are suffering or have recently suffered from an infection of the nasal airways.
• if you are suffering or have recently suffered from any type of untreated infection or from tuberculosis or ocular herpes.
• if you have recently been treated with injected steroids, or you have been taking oral steroids for a long time.

Nasofan Nasal Spray will usually control seasonally allergy rhinitis (hay fever) however if you are exposed to excessive amounts of pollen additional therapy may be helpful for controlling other symptoms such as itching eyes. Please consult your doctor in such an event.

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

Children and adolescents

Nasofan Nasal Spray may have potential systemic effects which may include growth retardation in children and adolescents and more rarely, a range of psychological or behavioural effects including psychomotor hyperactivity, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression or aggression (particularly in children).

Other medicines and Nasofan Nasal Spray

Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Some medicines can interfere with Nasofan Nasal Spray, in particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:

• Any medicines used in the treatment of fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole)
• Some medicines may increase the effects of Nasofan Nasal Spray 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

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

The medicinal product has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Nasofan Nasal Spray contains benzalkonium chloride solution

This medicine contains 40 micrograms benzalkonium chloride solution in each delivered dose. Benzalkonium chloride may cause irritation or swelling inside the nose, especially if used for a long time. In case of such a reaction (persistently congested nose) medicinal products for nasal use without preservative should be used if possible. Unless such products are available another pharmaceutical form should be taken. It may also cause bronchospasm.

3. how to use nasofan nasal spray

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The recommended dose is:

Adults (including the elderly) and children aged 12 years and older:

When you first start using Nasofan Nasal Spray you normally take two sprays in each nostril once a day, preferably in the morning. Your doctor may increase this to a maximum of two sprays into each nostril twice a day.

Once your symptoms are under control your doctor may reduce your dose to one spray into each nostril once a day. If the use of such a reduced dose signals a worsening in your symptoms, your dose may be increased back to the starting dose.

Children aged 4 to 11 years:

For children aged between 4–11 years old the dose is normally one spray in each nostril once a day, preferably in the morning. Your doctor may increase this to a maximum of one spray into each nostril twice a day.

This product is not suitable for children under 4 years old.

Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose of Nasofan Nasal Spray capable of effectively controlling your symptoms.

It may take a few days for this medicine to work. Do not stop using your medicine unless you are told to by a doctor.

You must not take a larger dose, or use your Nasofan Nasal Spray more often, than is prescribed by your doctor. It is important not to use more of your medicine than your doctor has told you to.

If your eyes remain itchy or watery as a result of hayfever despite using this medicine tell your doctor. He/she may be able to give you another medicine to treat your eye symptoms.

Before you use your nasal spray

Your Nasofan Nasal Spray has a dust cap that protects the nozzle and keeps it clean – this must be taken off prior to using the spray and then replaced after use.

When your Nasofan Nasal Spray is new, the bottle must be primed as follows:-

• 1. Shake the bottle gently and then remove the dust cap.

• 2. Hold the bottle upright with your thumb under the bottle and your index finger and middle finger on either side of the nozzle. Ensure that the nozzle is pointing away from you when you do this.

• 3. Press down with fingers in order to pump the spray

• 4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until a further five times -the bottle is now primed.

  
  

If you have not used your Nasofan Nasal Spray for 7 days prime until a fine mist is produced.

If after attempting to prime the bottle the spray still does not work and you think it may be blocked you may clean the spray using the following procedure:-

Cleaning your nasal spray

• 1. Remove the dust cap.

• 2. Pull the white collar upwards to remove the nozzle.

• 3. Place the nozzle and dust cap in warm water and soak for a few minutes, and then rinse by placing under a running tap.

• 4. Shake off the excess water and allow the nozzle and dust cap to dry in a warm (not hot) place.

• 5. Re-fit the nozzle.