Nasonex

Nasonex is used for nasal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy nose. Because it comes as a nasal spray, its effects are generally limited to the nose.

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Nasonex Overview

Updated: 

Nasonex is a prescription medication used to treat or prevent nasal allergy symptoms such as runny, stuffy, itchy nose and sneezing related to allergies. It is also used to treat nasal polyps. Nasonex belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids, more commonly known as steroids. It works by affecting the immune system to decrease inflammation of the nasal passages.

The medication comes in a nasal spray. The nasal spray is used once or twice daily.

Common side effects include headaches, viral infections, sore throat, and nosebleeds.

How was your experience with Nasonex?

First, a little about yourself

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What tips would you provide a friend before taking Nasonex?

What are you taking Nasonex for?

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  • Other
  • Inflammation
  • Pruritus
  • Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

How long have you been taking it?

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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

How well did Nasonex work for you?

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How likely would you be to recommend Nasonex to a friend?

Nasonex Cautionary Labels

precautions

Uses of Nasonex

Nasonex is a prescription medication used to treat or prevent nasal allergy symptoms such as runny, stuffy, itchy nose and sneezing related to allergies. It is also used to treat nasal polyps.

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

Manufacturer

Nasonex Drug Class

Nasonex is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Nasonex

The most common side effects of Nasonex include:

  • headache
  • viral infection
  • sore throat
  • nosebleeds
  • cough

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

Nasonex Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Nasonex and other medicines may affect each other and cause side effects. Nasonex may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Nasonex works.

If you are taking other corticosteroid medicines for allergy, either by mouth or injection, your doctor may advise you to stop taking them once you begin using Nasonex.

Nasonex Precautions

Do not use Nasonex if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Nasonex. 

Taking steroids may put you at a higher risk for infections. Nasonex is a nasal steroid and may suppress the immune system. Oral steroids (those taken by mouth) are more likely to cause immune suppression, but it is possible with Nasonex. Before starting Nasonex, let your doctor know if you have ever had tuberculosis or a herpes infection of the eye, as Nasonex may allow these infections to worsen by weakening the immune system.

Nasonex, like all steroids, may slow the growth rate of children and teenagers.

Nasonex can cause glaucoma or cataracts or worsen these conditions.

Avoid exposure to measles and chicken pox. If you are exposed to measles or chicken pox while using Nasonex, call your doctor right away.

Nasonex Food Interactions

Medicines 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 Nasonex there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Inform MD

Before you use Nasonex, tell your doctor if you:

  • have had recent nasal sores, nasal surgery, or nasal injury.
  • have eye or vision problems, such as cataracts or glaucoma (increased pressure in your eye).
  • have tuberculosis or any untreated fungal, bacterial, viral infections, or eye infections caused by herpes.
  • have been near someone who has chickenpox or measles.
  • have any other medical conditions.
  • are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Nasonex will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
  • are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known whether Nasonex passes into your breast milk.

Nasonex 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.

Nasonex falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. 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.

 

Nasonex and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known whether Nasonex passes into your breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Nasonex Usage

Nasonex comes in a nasal spray that is sprayed into the nose, usually once or twice daily, depending on whether it is being used for allergies or nasal polyps.

Use Nasonex exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

  • This medicine is for use in the nose only. Do not spray it into your mouth or eyes.
  • Shake the pump before each use.
  • An adult should help a young child use this medicine.
  • For best results, you should keep using Nasonex regularly each day without missing a dose. If you do miss a dose of Nasonex, take it as soon as you remember. However, do not take more than the daily dose prescribed by your doctor.
  • Do not use Nasonex more often than prescribed.

Before you use Nasonex the first time, read the written instructions that come with it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use it. To use the nasal inhalation, follow these steps:

  1. Gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.

  2. Close one nostril. Tilt your head forward slightly and keep the bottle upright while inserting the nasal applicator into the other nostril.

  3. For each spray, press down firmly once on the shoulders of the white applicator using your forefinger and middle finger. Support the base of the bottle with your thumb. Breathe gently inward through the nostril.

  4. Breathe out through the mouth.

  5. Repeat in the other nostril.

  6. Replace the plastic cap.

Before using a new pump of Nasonex for the first time, prime the pump by spraying ten times or until a fine spray appears. If you do not use the pump for more than 1 week, prime it again by spraying two times or until a fine spray appears.

Nasonex Dosage

Use Nasonex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you.

Treatment of Nasal Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis:

  • Adults & Adolescents (12 yrs. and older): 2 sprays in each nostril once daily
  • Children (2-11 yrs.): 1 spray in each nostril once daily

Treatment of Nasal Congestion Associated with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis:

  • Adults & Adolescents (12 yrs. and older): 2 sprays in each nostril once daily
  • Children (2-11 yrs.): 1 spray in each nostril once daily

Prevention of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis:

  • Adults & Adolescents (12 yrs. and older): 2 sprays in each nostril once daily

Treatment of Nasal Polyps:

  • Adults (18 yrs. and older): 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily. 2 sprays in each nostril once daily may also be effective in some patients.

Nasonex Overdose

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

Other Requirements

Store Nasonex between 15° and 30°C (59° to 86°F).

When Nasonex, 50 mcg is removed from its cardboard container, prolonged exposure of the product to direct light should be avoided. Brief exposure to light, as with normal use, is acceptable. SHAKE WELL BEFORE EACH USE.

Keep Nasonex and all medications out of the reach of children.