Flonasin Nasal Spray

Flonasin nasal spray is indicated for the relief of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 6 years of age and older who require treatment with both Azelastine Hydrochloride and Fluticasone Propionate for symptomatic relief.

Azelastine Hydrochloride exhibits histamine H1-receptor antagonist activity in isolated tissues. The major metabolite, desmethylazelastine, also possesses H1-receptor antagonist activity. Fluticasone Propionate is a synthetic trifluorinated corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory activity. The precise mechanism through which Fluticasone Propionate affects allergic rhinitis symptoms is not known. Corticosteroids have been shown to have a wide range of effects on multiple cell types (e.g., mast cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes etc.) and mediators (e.g., histamine, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, and cytokines) involved in inflammation.

Adult: The recommended dosage is one spray each nostril twice daily.

Paediatric: The safety and effectiveness of Azelastine Hydrochloride and Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray has not been established for patients less than 6 years of age.

How to use the Nasal Spray-

• Shake the bottle gently and remove the dust cover.
• Hold the spray with your forefinger and middle finger on either side of the nozzle and your thumb underneath the bottle. Press down until a fine spray appears. If using for the first time or if you have not used it for a week or more, press the nasal applicator several times until a fine moist comes out from the container.
• Gently blow the nose to clear the nostrils.
• Close one nostril and carefully insert the nasal applicator into the open nostril. Tilt your head forward slightly and keep the spray upright. Breathe in through your nose and while breathing in, press the white-collar of nasal applicator firmly down once to release a spray.
• Breathe out through your mouth.
• Repeat the above steps in the same/ other nostril for consecutive doses.

Cleaning: The nasal spray should be cleaned at least once a week. The procedures are as follows-

• Remove the dust cover.
• Gently pull off the nasal applicator.
• Wash the applicator and dust cover in warm water.
• Shake off the excess water and leave to dry in a normal place. Avoid to apply additional heat.
• Gently push the applicator back on the top of the bottle and re-fix the dust cover.

There is no known contraindication.

The most common adverse reactions (>2% incidence) are: dysgeusia, epistaxis, and headache.

Pregnancy category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical trials of Azelastine Hydrochloride and Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray, Azelastine Hydrochloride only or Fluticasone Propionate only in pregnant women. It should be used in pregnant women only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether Azelastine Hydrochloride and Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray is excreted in human breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when administered to a nursing woman.

Engagement in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness such as driving or operating machinery should be avoided when taking Azelastine and Fluticasone Nasal Spray. Concurrent use of alcohol or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants with this Nasal Spray should also be avoided because of further decreased alertness and impairment of CNS. Hypercorticism and adrenal suppression with very high dosages or at the regular dosage in susceptible individuals may appear. If such changes occur, the spray should be discontinued slowly.

There have been no reported over dosages with Azelastine Hydrochloride. Acute Azelastine Hydrochloride overdosage by adults with this dosage form is unlikely to result in clinically significant adverse events, other than increased somnolence. Chronic Fluticasone Propionate overdosage may result in symptoms of hypercorticism.

Nasal Steroid Preparations

Store below 25°C. Protected from light. Do not store in the refrigerator. Keep out of the reach of children.