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Nasacort® AQ nasal spray

This product is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc. using the ingredient triamcinolone acetonide.

This product is taken via nasal pump.

Why is it prescribed?

It is used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis (including hayfever) and perennial rhinitis (year-round inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose).

The Nasacort® AQ nasal spray is intended for nasal inhalation only. It is not meant to give you instant relief of your nasal congestion but to correct the underlying disorder responsible for your symptoms. It must be used on a continual basis to reach the full therapeutic effect. It may be 2 to 3 days before you experience any relief.  Check with the doctor if you notice signs of infection in your nose, throat or sinus or if repeated, unusual bleeding occurs.

It is important to shake the bottle gently before each use. Also, the bottle should be discarded after 120 sprays or 2 months after starting treatment. Do not transfer any remaining suspension to another bottle. 

Before each use of your NASACORT AQ nasal spray, gently blow your nose, making sure your nostrils are clear. Then follow these steps: 

Prior to Use: 

1.Pull the cover and the clip off the spray pump unit. Do not attempt to enlarge the tiny hole in the spray tip. If the actuator has come off the pump stem, re-insert stem in actuator. 
2.Shake the spray pump unit.


Preparing for Use: 
3.To prepare for use, the spray pump unit must be primed prior to the first use. To prime, put two fingers on the “shoulders” of the bottle. Push bottle with thumb FIRMLY and QUICKLY for a full-stroke actuation until a fine mist appears (5 pumps). Hold the nozzle pointing away from you while you are doing this. Now your spray pump unit is primed and ready for use. 
4.A fine mist can only be produced by a rapid and firm pumping action. 
5.Repriming is only necessary when the spray pump unit has not been used for more than 14 days. To reprime, shake the bottle and pump only once. Now the spray pump is reprimed. 
6.Gently blow nose to clean nostrils, if needed.
7.Pull the cover and the clip off the spray pump unit, and shake pump unit. 
8.Hold spray pump unit firmly as shown with the index and middle finger on either side of the spray tip and thumb on bottom of the bottle. Rest back of index finger against upper lip. BE CAREFUL SO FINGERS WILL NOT SLIP OFF SPRAY PUMP UNIT AS YOU SPRAY. 
9.Put the spray tip into one nostril (tip should not reach far into the nose). BEND HEAD FORWARD so spray will aim toward the back of the nose. 
10.Point tip straight back into nose. Close the other nostril with finger. Pump spray unit by pushing the bottle with thumb FIRMLY and QUICKLY for a full-stroke actuation and sniff gently at the same time. Repeat procedure for the other nostril. 
11.Repeat steps 8, 9, 10 if instructed to use more than one spray per nostril. 
12.Avoid blowing nose for 15 minutes following dosing.
13. After using the spray: Wipe the nozzle carefully with a clean tissue or handkerchief, and replace the dust cap. Keep the cover and the clip on the spray pump unit when not in use. 
14.If the spray does not work and it may be blocked, clean as follows. NEVER try to unblock it or enlarge the tiny spray hole with a pin or other sharp object because this will destroy the spray mechanism. 

The nasal spray should be cleaned at least once a week or more often if it gets blocked. 
Your Nasacort® nasal mist should be stored at room temperature (15 to 30 degrees centigrade).


Alternatives

Other products that have the same ingredient as Nasacort® AQ nasal spray are •Apo-Triamcinolone AQ Nasal Spray •

See other products used in the treatment of •allergic rhinitis •allergies •hay fever •perennial rhinitis •rhinitis •runny nose •seasonal allergies •seasonal rhinitis •sleep apnea •

The usual dose for adults and children over 12 years of age is 2 sprays into each nostril once daily. The recommended dose in children 4 to 12 years of age is 1 spray into each nostril once a day.


Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid that possesses anti-inflammatory activity. Used as a nasal spray, it reduces irritation and inflammation in the lining of the nose and nasal passages. It relieves the blocked up feeling in the nose, runny nose, itching and sneezing.


Along with its needed effects, triamcinolone may cause some unwanted or undesirable effects. Generally, triamcinolone is well tolerated and many people will not experience unwanted effects. The severity and duration of these effects are dependant on many factors including duration of therapy, dose, route of administration and individual response.

Possible unwanted effects include:

  • headache

Less common:

  • nasal irritation
  • dry nose
  • sneezing

Rare:

  • immediate or delayed allergic reaction, including rash, hives, and bronchospasm
  • swelling of the face

 


Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Regular usage is essential since maximum relief may not be obtained until after 2 to 3 days of treatment. Your doctor or pharmacist should instruct you on the correct use of this preparation. This medicine comes with a package insert that should be read and then kept as a reference.
Children using any of these preparations should do so under the direct supervision of an adult who is familiar with their proper use.
People who are using or who have used triamcinolone or any other corticosteroids should inform subsequent physicians, as this may vary the treatment plan.
Treatment should not be stopped abruptly but it should be tapered off gradually. In people previously on prolonged periods or high doses of oral steroids (e.g. prednisone), the replacement with nasal triamcinolone can be accompanied by symptoms of withdrawal (e.g. joint and/or muscular pain, depression).

Drug Interactions: Due to very low absorption at recommended doses, there have been no reports of significant drug interactions. However, it is important to inform your doctor and pharmacist of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you are taking.

Use is not recommended in the following situations:

  • allergy to triamcinolone or any component of the preparation.
  • people with tuberculosis
  • untreated fungal, bacterial and viral infections

Caution is recommended in the following situations:

  • people previously treated for prolonged periods with oral corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) 
  • recent nasal septal ulcers, nasal surgery, or nasal trauma until healing has occurred - healing may be delayed

Use in pregnancy: Inhaled triamcinolone is considered safe to use during pregnancy.  Always consult your doctor before using.

Use while breastfeeding: Human data is lacking, but very little inhaled triamcinolone is expected to pass into breast milk.  Consult your doctor or pharmacist before you begin breastfeeding.