Manufacturer:
Ratiopharm Inc.

Generic Name:
flunisolide

Route:
nasal pump

Why is it prescribed?

Ratio-Flunisolide® nasal spray contains flunisolide.

Flunisolide is instilled in the nose to relieve nasal symptoms of allergies (e.g. stuffiness, sneezing), or to prevent the regrowth of nasal polyps afer they are removed surgically.

Side Effects

Ratio-Flunisolide® nasal spray contains flunisolide.

Along with its needed effects, flunisolide may cause some unwanted or undesirable effects. Often, flunisolide users who use their medication properly never experience unwanted effects. Possible unwanted effects include:

• mild transient nasal burning and stinging
• loss of taste or smell

• Candida (yeast) infections in areas that come in contact with flunisolide.

• immediate or delayed allergic reaction (including rash, hives, itchiness and bronchospasm)

Precautions and Warnings for Ratio-Flunisolide® nasal spray

Ratio-Flunisolide® nasal spray contains flunisolide

Never use a higher dose than what you have been prescribed. Using higher than recommended doses will cause greater absorption by the body, and possibly lead to greater occurrence of unwanted effects. Optimal relief of symptoms may require a few days to a few weeks of continuous therapy.
If symptoms do not improve or the condition worsens, the doctor should be contacted.
Treatment with flunisolide should never be stopped without first consulting your doctor.
Discontinuation of flunisolide requires gradual reduction or you may experience a flare-up of your condition.
Inadequate response can often be a result of improper use of the delivery device. Your doctor or pharmacist should instruct you on the correct use of these preparations. Each product comes with a package insert that should be read and then kept as a reference.
People who are using or who have used flunisolide or any other corticosteroids, should inform subsequent physicians as this may vary the treatment plan.
When people have been treated with oral corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) for prolonged periods and are being transferred to intranasally or orally inhaled flunisolide, they may experience withdrawal symptoms (e.g. joint and/or muscular pain, depression). These symptoms should be reported to your doctor, especially if you have associated asthma or another condition in which too rapid a decrease in systemic steroids may cause a severe flare-up of symptoms. Drug Interactions: Significant drug interactions are not likely to occur at usual intranasal doses. However, it is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist of any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking. Use is not recommended in the following situations:

• allergy to flunisolide or any component of the preparation.
• people with tuberculosis
• children under 6 years of age

• untreated fungal, viral or bacterial infections
• people previously treated for prolonged periods with oral corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone)
  

Patient Information

Ratio-Flunisolide® nasal spray is intended for nasal inhalation only. Your doctor or pharmacist should have instructed you on the proper use and care of your Ratio-Flunisolide® nasal spray. The very first time the spray is used, prime (load) the pump as instructed until a fine spray appears. It is now ready for use.
It is not meant to give you instant relief of your nasal congestion, but to correct the underlying problem responsible for your symptoms. It must be used on a regular basis to reach the full beneficial effect. Check with the doctor if you notice signs of infection in your nose, throat or sinuses.
Your Ratio-Flunisolide® nasal spray should be stored in an upright position at room temperature (15 to 30 degrees centigrade).

Directions for Use

The usual starting dose for adults is 2 sprays into each nostril twice a day . In children 6 to 14 years of age, 1 spray in each nostril three times a day. Once the desired effect is obtained, the maintenance dose will be the smallest amount necessary to control symptoms.

Lung Diseases Treated with this Drug

• allergic rhinitis
• hay fever
• nasal polyps
• perennial rhinitis
• rhinitis
• runny nose
• seasonal rhinitis

Need More Information?

For more information contact your physician, pharmacist, other health care professional or for general questions call your local lung association.