RHINOCORT HAYFEVER (R)
Budesonide
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Rhinocort Hayfever.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your pharmacist or doctor.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your pharamcist has weighed the risks of you using Rhinocort Hayfever against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about using Rhinocort Hayfever, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Keep this leaflet with the Rhinocort Hayfever.
You may need to read it again.
What RHINOCORT HAYFEVER is used for
Rhinocort Hayfever is sprayed into the nose to help prevent and treat allergic rhinitis (hayfever).
Hayfever is an inflammation or swelling of the nose lining (which may cause blockage, runny nose, itching and/or sneezing).
While hayfever is the name most commonly used for these allergic conditions, the medical names are “seasonal allergic rhinitis” and “perennial allergic rhinitis”.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis – generally triggered by pollens (eg grass, weeds and sometimes trees) in the air and is most common during Spring and Summer months.
Perennial allergic rhinitis – may be triggered by dust mites, animal dander (particularly cats) or mould spores and can occur throughout the year.
You may have symptoms only during spring or summer. This type of allergy is generally due to various pollens. Some people may experience symptoms all year round. This is usually caused by house dust mites, pets or moulds.
Rhinocort Hayfever contains budesonide. This belongs to a family of medicines called corticosteroids, which are used to help reduce inflammation.
Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about why Rhinocort Hayfever has been recommended for you.
Rhinocort Hayfever is not addictive.
Rhinocort Hayfever is available from pharmacists without a prescription.
Before you use RHINOCORT HAYFEVER
When you must not use it
Do not use Rhinocort Hayfever if:
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
Your condition may cause nose bleeds and still require treatment. Discuss with your doctor if you have any concerns.
It may not be safe for you to use Rhinocort Hayfever if you have either of these conditions
Do not give Rhinocort Hayfever to a child under the age of 12 years.
If necessary, your doctor will prescribe a suitable medicine for children under 12 years of age who have hayfever.
Do not use Rhinocort Hayfever after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start using Rhinocort Hayfever, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Before you start to use it
Tell your pharmacist if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your pharmacist if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
Tell your pharmacist if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Your pharmacist can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Tell your pharmacist if you are breast-feeding.
Your pharmacist can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start using Rhinocort Hayfever.
Taking other medicines
Tell your pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Rhinocort Hayfever may interfere with each other. These include:
These medicines may be affected by Rhinocort Hayfever, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your Rhinocort Hayfever, or you may need to use a different medicine. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.
Your pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using Rhinocort Hayfever.
How to use RHINOCORT HAYFEVER
Use only in your nose.
To prevent symptoms, start using Rhinocort Hayfever
If you start using Rhinocort Hayfever early, it will help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Follow all directions given to you by your pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions in the box, ask your pharmacist for help.
How to use it
Each pack of Rhinocort Hayfever contains an instruction leaflet that tells you the correct way to use it. Read the leaflet carefully.
Gently blow your nose before using Rhinocort Hayfever.
How much to use
When you first start using Rhinocort Hayfever:
The usual starting dose is FOUR sprays into EACH nostril daily (eight sprays). You can take these sprays all in the morning, or if you prefer you can take TWO sprays into EACH nostril in the morning and evening.
Do not exceed the recommended dose of 8 sprays a day.
Once your symptoms improve:
After your symptoms have improved, you should gradually reduce the number of sprays you put into each nostril to the lowest number that controls your symptoms. This might be one spray into each nostril in the morning.
It may take up to two or three days of using Rhinocort Hayfever before you notice any improvement in your symptoms.
How long to use it
See your doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms are not relieved within 7 days.
Rhinocort Hayfever only works if it is used on a regular basis.
It generally takes a few days before you notice any improvement in your symptoms.
Do not use for more than 6 months without the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
Prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms:
To help prevent symptoms you should start your treatment before your symptoms are likely to occur (eg early Spring).
If you forget to use it
If you forget to use Rhinocort Hayfever in the morning, use it as soon as you remember. Do not use more than eight sprays (256 micrograms) a day.
Do not use a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
If you have trouble remembering to use your Rhinocort Hayfever, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you use too much (overdose)
If you or someone else accidentally uses too much Rhinocort Hayfever on one occasion, there is nothing to worry about.
However, if you use too much of it over a long time, you may damage the lining of your nose.
Discuss any worries you may have about this with your pharmacist or doctor.
Immediately telephone your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 131 126) if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Rhinocort Hayfever. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
While you are using Rhinocort Hayfever
Things you must do
Hayfever:
See your doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms are not relieved within 7 days.
It generally takes a few days before you notice any improvement in your symptoms.
Ask your doctor to examine your nose if you have been using Rhinocort Hayfever for several months without a break.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are using Rhinocort Hayfever.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are using Rhinocort Hayfever.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are using Rhinocort Hayfever.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while using Rhinocort Hayfever, tell your doctor (immediately).
Things you must not do
Do not use Rhinocort Hayfever to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your Rhinocort Hayfever to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Things that may be helpful
If possible, avoid situations that you know will trigger your symptoms.
To prevent symptoms, start using Rhinocort Hayfever
If you start using Rhinocort Hayfever early, it will help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Rhinocort Hayfever.
This medicine helps most people with rhinitis, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor to answer any questions you may have.
These are all mild side effects of Rhinocort Hayfever. If you reduce the dose or stop Rhinocort Hayfever for a few days, these will often go away.
See your doctor or pharmacist if you:
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After using RHINOCORT HAYFEVER
Storage
Keep your spray in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C.
Do not store Rhinocort Hayfever or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If you stop using any Rhinocort Hayfever or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
Rhinocort Hayfever contains approximately 60 and 120 sprays in a 10mL brown glass bottle, with pump spray equipment and nasal adaptor.
Rhinocort Hayfever bottle contains an overfill to allow for the small amount of liquid that cannot be pumped out of the bottle.
Rhinocort Hayfever Nasal Spray contains 32 micrograms of budesonide as the active ingredient per spray,
Plus
The pH of the solution may have been adjusted by hydrochloric acid (E507), if required.