Flunisolide is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Flunisolide nasal (for the nose) is used to treat nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.

Flunisolide nasal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Before your first use, prime the nasal spray pump by spraying 5 to 6 test sprays into the air (away from your face), until a fine mist appears. Prime the nasal spray any time you have not used it for 5 days or longer, or if you have taken apart the spray device to clean it.

Blow your nose gently to clear your nostrils before using this medicine.

Do not use flunisolide nasal in a child younger than 6 years old. Any child using flunisolide nasal should be supervised by an adult while using the nasal spray.

Use this medicine at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of the drug in your body at all times.

Adults should not use more than 8 sprays in each nostril per day. Children younger than 14 years old should not use more than 4 sprays in each nostril per day. Using more than your recommended dose will not make this medicine more effective, and may increase your risk of unwanted side effects.

While using flunisolide nasal, you may need frequent blood tests.

It may take 1 to 2 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using flunisolide nasal as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of using this medicine.

You should not stop using steroid medicine suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose. If you were switched to flunisolide nasal from another steroid medicine, do not stop using the other medicine suddenly.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Store flunisolide nasal in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Throw the spray bottle away after you have used 200 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

Initial dose: 2 sprays in each nostril 2 times a day.
If needed, this dose may be increased to 2 sprays in each nostril 3 times a day.
Maximum total daily dose: 8 sprays in each nostril

Comments:
-Do not use if an untreated localized infection of the nasal mucosa is present.

Use: Treatment of nasal symptoms of seasonal or perennial rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

6 to 14 years:
Initial dose: 1 spray in each nostril 3 times a day or 2 sprays in each nostril 2 times a day.
Maximum total daily dose: 4 sprays in each nostril.

14 years or older:
Initial dose: 2 sprays in each nostril 2 times a day.
If needed, this dose may be increased to 2 sprays in each nostril 3 times a day.
Maximum total daily dose: 8 sprays in each nostril


Comments:
-Do not use if an untreated localized infection of the nasal mucosa is present.

Use: Treatment of nasal symptoms of seasonal or perennial rhinitis

You should not use flunisolide nasal if you are allergic to flunisolide.

To make sure flunisolide nasal is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• any type of untreated infection in your nose or sinuses;

• asthma;

• tuberculosis or any other infection or illness;

• herpes simplex infection of your eyes;

• sores or ulcers inside your nose; or

• if you have recently had injury of or surgery on your nose.

Flunisolide can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether flunisolide nasal passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Steroid medicine can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of flunisolide nasal is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Avoid getting the spray in your eyes or mouth. If this does happen, rinse with water.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using flunisolide nasal.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Flunisolide nasal may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe or ongoing nosebleeds;

• itching, irritation, sores, or white patches in your nose, mouth, or throat;

• crusting around your nostrils;

• any wound that will not heal; or

• fever, chills, weakness, flu symptoms.

Common side effects of flunisolide nasal may include:

• burning or stinging in your nose;

• stuffy nose, sneezing, minor nosebleed;

• changes in your sense of smell or taste;

• watery eyes;

• irritation in your nose, sore throat;

• nausea, vomiting; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially prednisone.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on flunisolide used in the nose. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.