Qnasl

Qnasl treats nasal allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy nose. Qnasl is available in 2 different strengths. Be sure you are using the correct one for your age.

Qnasl Overview

Reviewed: June 15, 2012
Updated: 

Qnasl is a prescription medication used to treat the nasal symptoms of year-round and seasonal allergies in patients 4 years of age and older. Qnasl is part of a class of medications called anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. These works by decreasing swelling and irritation in the nasal passages.

Qnasl is available as a nasal spray and is typically administered once daily.

Common side effects of Qnasl include headaches, nosebleeds, and nasal discomfort. 

 

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What are you taking Qnasl for?

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  • Other
  • Asthma
  • Nasal Polyps
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

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Qnasl Cautionary Labels

precautions

Uses of Qnasl

Qnasl is a prescription medication used to treat the nasal symptoms of year-round and seasonal nasal allergies in patients 4 years of age and older.

Symptoms of year-round and seasonal nasal allergies may include:

  • Sneezing 
  • Runny nose
  • Stuffy nose
  • Itchy nose

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your physician or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Beclomethasone

For more information on this medication choose from the list of selections below.

Qnasl Drug Class

Qnasl is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Qnasl

Side effects have been reported with Qnasl. See the 'Qnasl Precautions' section for more information.

Common side effects of Qnasl include the following:

  • Headache
  • Nasal discomfort such as nasal irritation and inflammation
  • Nosebleeds
  • Fever
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Runny nose and sore throat

This is not a complete list of Qnasl side effects. Ask your physician or pharmacist for more information.

Inform your physician about side effects that do not go away or if you have any side effects that bother you.

Call your physician for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

Qnasl Interactions

No drug interactions have been studied by the manufacturer. However, you should inform your physician about all of the medications you take including all prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being discovered and reported.

Qnasl Precautions

Serious side effects have been reported with Qnasl including the following:

  • Fungal infections (thrush) in your nose, mouth and throat. Tell your doctor if you have any redness or white-colored coating in your nose or throat.
  • Nosebleeds and nasal ulceration. If you have been using Qnasl for several months, your physician will examine your nasal passages for evidence of ulceration while you take Qnasl. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have nosebleeds or nasal ulcers. 
  • Slow wound healing. You should not use Qnasl until your nose has healed if you have a sore in your nose, you have had surgery on your nose, or your nose has been injured. 
  • Decreased adrenal function (adrenal insufficiency). Symptoms of decreased adrenal function include tiredness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, and dizziness. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. 
  • Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Call your doctor and stop Qnasl right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction including swelling of the lips, face, throat, and tongue, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, skin rash, redness, or swelling, or severe itching. 
  • Decreased ability to fight infections. Symptoms of infection may include: fever, pain, aches, chills, feeling tired, nausea and vomiting. Tell your doctor about any signs of infection while you use Qnasl. Avoid contact with people who have contagious diseases such as chickenpox or measles while you use Qnasl.
  • Slow growth in children. The growth of children using Qnasl should be checked regularly. 
  • Eye problems including glaucoma and cataracts. Tell your doctor about any vision changes while using Qnasl. If you have a history of glaucoma or cataracts, or have a family history of eye problems, you should have regular eye exams while you use Qnasl. 

Do not use Qnasl if you are allergic to Qnasl or to any of its ingredients

 

Qnasl Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Qnasl, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Inform MD

Before using Qnasl, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you or your child:

  • Are allergic to Qnasl or to any of its ingredients
  • Have or have had nasal sores, nasal surgery, or nasal injury
  • Have been recently exposed to measles or chickenpox
  • Take any other corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone
  • Have tuberculosis or any untreated fungal, bacterial, or viral infections, or eye infections caused by herpes
  • Have not had or been vaccinated for chickenpox or measles
  • Have any conditions affecting your immune system such as HIV/AIDS
  • Have an infection
  • Have a history of glaucoma or cataracts
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Qnasl and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Qnasl falls into category C. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child. Qnasl  should only be used during pregnancy only oif the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. 

Qnasl and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known whether Qnasl is excreted in human breast milk. However, other corticosteroids have been detected in human breast milk. Your doctor will determine if you will need to stop using this medication or stop breastfeeding. 

Qnasl Usage

Use Qnasl exactly as prescribed. Do not use more of your medicine or take it more often than your healthcare provider tells you

Qnasl comes in the form of a nasal spray and is usually administered once daily. Qnasl is available in 2 different strengths. Be sure you are using the correct one for your age. 

Qnasl is for use in your nose only. Do not spray it in your eyes or mouth. Do not spray Qnasl directly onto your nasal septum (the wall between your 2 nostrils)

Children should use Qnasl with an adult’s help, as instructed by the child’s healthcare provider.

Qnasl must be primed before you use it for the first time and if you do not use it for 7 or more days in a row.

  • Do not prime your Qnasl every day 
  • Your Qnasl has a spray counter which should read 120 sprays or 60 sprays after the 4 initial priming sprays
  • Do not use your Qnasl after the spray counter reads 0. You may not get the right amount of medicine

Qnasl may take several days of regular use for your nasal symptoms to get better. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, call your healthcare provider.

Qnasl Dosage

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your physician recommends may be based on your age. 

The recommended dose of Qnasl 80 mcg for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older is 2 sprays per nostril once daily (a maximum total daily dose of 320mcg or 4 sprays per day)

The recommended dose Qnasl 40 mcg for children aged 4 years to 11 years is 1 spray in each nostril once daily (a maximum total daily dose of 80mcg or 2 sprays per day)

Qnasl Overdose

If you use too much Qnasl, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Other Requirements

  • Store Qnasl at room temperature.
  • Do not puncture the Qnasl canister
  • Do not store the Qnasl canister near heat or a flame. Temperatures above 120˚F (49˚C) may cause the canister to burst
  • Do not throw the Qnasl canister into a fire or an incinerator 
  • Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.