Patient leaflet - TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE 55 MICROGRAMS / DOSE NASAL SPRAY SUSPENSION
1. what triamcinolone acetonide is and what it is used for
Triamcinolone acetonide spray contains a medicine called triamcinolone acetonide.This belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids which means it is a type of steroid. It is given as a spray in the nose to treat the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Nasal symptoms of allergy include sneezing, itching, and having a blocked, stuffy or runny nose.
This type of allergy, such as hayfever, can be caused by different pollens in different seasons of the year. This is called ‘seasonal allergic rhinitis’.
This medicine only works if used on a regular basis and may not help your symptoms straight away. It helps some people within the first day of treatment, however, for other people it may take 3 to 4 days to feel a relief.
2. what you need to know before you use triamcinolone acetonide spray
Do not use Triamcinolone acetonide spray :
- if you are allergic to triamcinolone acetonide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
(listed in section 6)
Signs of an allergic reaction to triamcinolone acetonide include: a rash (hives), itching, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Triamcinolone acetonide spray if:
- You have any infection of the nose or throat that is not treated. If you get a fungal infection
while using Triamcinolone acetonide spray, stop using the spray until the infection has been treated.
- You have recently had a nose operation, or had an injury or ulcer in the nose.
- You are being transferred from steroid injections or tablets to Triamcinolone acetonide spray.
- You have had glaucoma or cataracts.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
Children and adolescents (under 18 years)
This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Operations or times of stress
Your doctor may advise you to take a higher than normal dose of this medicine for medical reasons. If your dose is increased, tell your doctor if you are going to have an operation or are feeling unwell. This is because higher than normal doses of this medicine can lower your body’s ability to heal or cope with stress. If this happens, your doctor may decide you need further treatment with another medicine to help.
Other medicines and Triamcinolone acetonide
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This is because Triamcinolone acetonide can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Triamcinolone acetonideworks.
Some medicines may increase the effects of Triamcinolone acetonide 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 and fertility
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
Triamcinolone acetonide has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Triamcinolone acetonide spray contains benzalkonium chloride
This medicine contains 15 micrograms benzalkonium chloride in each spray.
Benzalkonium chloride may cause irritation or swelling inside the nose, especially if used for a long time.
3. how to use triamcinolone acetonide spray
Triamcinolone acetonide spray is for nasal use only.
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The medicine only works if it is used regularly. It can take 3 to 4 days before you notice your symptoms getting better.
How much Triamcinolone acetonide spray to use
Adults (18 years and over)
- The usual starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril each day
- Once the symptoms of allergy are under control, the dose may be lowered to 1 spray
in each nostril each day
- If the symptoms do not go away after 14 days, check with your doctor or pharmacist
- You should not use the spray for longer than three months without consulting your
doctor
Children and adolescents (under 18 years)
- This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years
of age.
How to use the spray
Before using your nasal spray, blow your nose gently to clear your nostrils.
1.
Preparing the bottle
- Remove the cap by pulling upwards.
- Shake the bottle gently before use.
- Hold the bottle upright.
- Point the spray away from you while doing this.
- Fill the pump with spray by pressing the nozzle downwards. This is called priming.
- Press and release it 5 times
- Do this until a fine spray is produced
- The spray is now ready to use.
- Close one nostril with your finger
- Hold the bottle upright and put the nozzle into the other nostril as far as is comfortable
- Breathe in gently through your nose with your mouth closed
- While you are doing this, press the nozzle to deliver one spray
Then breath out through your mouth
Repeat steps 3 and 4 if you have to spray again in the same nostril and for the other nostril
After using the spray
- To keep the spray nozzle clean, wipe it carefully with a clean tissue or handkerchief after each use
Correct Position Wrong Position
Replace the cap over the nozzle
If the nasal spray has not been used for more than 2 weeks:
- It needs to be primed again, to fill the nozzle with the spray
- The nozzle should be pointed away from you while you are doing this
- To prime, spray into the air once before use
- Always shake the bottle gently before use
Cleaning the spray
If the spray does not work, the nozzle may be blocked. Never try to unblock it or enlarge the tiny spray hole with a pin or other sharp objects. This is because it can stop the spray from working.
The nasal spray should be cleaned at least once a week. It can be cleaned more often if it gets blocked.
Instructions for cleaning the spray:
Remove the cap
Gently pull off the spray nozzle only
Soak the cap and spray nozzle in warm water for a few minutes Rinse under the cold running tap water
Shake or tap to remove any water that is left
Allow to dry in the air
Re-fit the spray nozzle
Prime the nasal spray until a fine mist is formed
Use as normal
If you use more Triamcinolone acetonide spray than you should
It is important that you take your dose as stated on the pharmacist’s label or as advised by your doctor or pharmacist. You should use only as much as your pharmacist or doctor recommends; using more or less may make your symptoms worse.
An overdose is unlikely to cause problems, however, if you have taken the entire contents of the bottle by mouth, you may have stomach or gut discomfort.
Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you use more Triamcinolone acetonide spray than you should.
If you forget to use Triamcinolone acetonide spray
If you have forgotten to use Triamcinolone acetonide spray, use it as soon as you remember. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using Triamcinolone acetonide spray
If you stop using this medicine, your symptoms may return within a few days.
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.
Stop using Triamcinolone acetonide and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
- you have an allergic reaction to Triamcinolone acetonide spray. The signs (frequency not
known) may include: a rash (hives), itching, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Runny nose, headache, sore throat and/or cough
- Nosebleeds
- Inflammation/irritation of the airways (bronchitis)
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle pain, weakness and/or fatigue)
- Problems with teeth
Other side effects (Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- Irritation and dryness on the inside of your nose
- Sinuses become congested or blocked
- Sneezing
- Changes in the way things taste or smell
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Sleeping problems, feeling dizzy or tired
- Shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
- A decrease in the levels of cortisol in the blood (laboratory value)
- Cloudiness of the lens in the eye (cataract), elevated pressure inside the eye ball (glaucoma)
- Blurred vision
In some people, Triamcinolone acetonide can cause damage to the middle part of the inside of the nose (called ‘nasal septum’). Discuss any worries you may have about this with your doctor or pharmacist.
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 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 triamcinolone acetonide spray
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the bottle after
“EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not store above 25°C.
- Following the first opening Triamcinolone acetonide spray should be used within 1 month for
the 30 spray pack or 2 months for the 120 spray pack.
- Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist
how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. contents of the pack and other informationwhat triamcinolone acetonide spray containsthe active substance is triamcinolone acetonide. one delivered dose contains 55 micrograms of triamcinolone acetonide.
The other ingredients are:
-
– microcrystalline cellulose and carmellose sodium (dispersible cellulose)
-
– polysorbate 80
-
– purified water
-
– anhydrous glucose
-
– benzalkonium chloride (50% w/v solution)
-
– disodium edetate
-
– hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide (for pH-adjustment)
What Triamcinolone acetonide looks like and contents of the pack
Triamcinolone acetonide is a nasal spray suspension. It comes in a white plastic bottle which has a pump to spray Triamcinolone acetonide into your nostril through the spray nozzle. The bottle has a protective purple cap to keep the nozzle clean and to stop it from spraying accidentally.
This one spray bottle holds at least 120 sprays (16.5 g of suspension which contains 9.075 mg triamcinolone acetonide) or at least 30 sprays (6.5 g of suspension which contains 3.575 mg triamcinolone acetonide).
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder :
Sanofi, 410 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1PT.
Tel: 0845 372 7101
e-mail:
Manufacturer :
Recipharm, Holmes Chapel, 72 London Road, Holmes Chapel, Crewe, Cheshire, CW4 8BE, United Kingdom
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
Belgium: Allegra nasal, 55 micrograms/dose nasal spray suspension
Denmark: Triamcinolonacetonid sanofi-aventis
Germany: Nasacort Sanofi-Aventis, 55 Mikrogramm /SpruhstoB Nasenspray, Suspension
Greece: Nasacort Allergy™
Ireland: Nasacort Allergy 55 micrograms/dose nasal spray, suspension
Luxembourg: Allegra nasal, 55 micrograms/dose nasal spray suspension
Portugal: Telfast Spray Nasal
United Kingdom: Triamcinolone acetonide spray
This leaflet was last revised in 02/2020
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