Triamcinolone (Into The Nose)

Triamcinolone (trye-am-SIN-oh-lone)

Treats stuffy or runny nose caused by hay fever and other allergies. This medicine is a corticosteroid.

Brand Name(s):

Nasacort AQ, Nasacort, Tri-Nasal
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to triamcinolone or other corticosteroids such as fluticasone (Flonase®) or beclomethasone (Beconase®, Vancenase®).

How to Use This Medicine:

Powder Under Pressure, Spray

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• If you are using the Nasacort® AQ nasal spray for the first time, you will need to prime the spray. To do this, pump the bottle 5 times or until some of the medicine sprays out. Now it is ready to use. Prime the spray 1 time if you have not used the medicine for 14 days or longer.
• Shake the medicine well just before each use. Before using the medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.
• To use Nasacort® AQ nasal spray, tilt your head forward and aim the spray toward the back of your nose. Sniff gently at the same time you pump the bottle.
• To use Nasacort® nasal inhaler (powder under pressure), aim the spray toward the side of your nose. Inhale gently at the same time you press down on the bottle to spray the medicine. Be careful to not spray the medicine on your nasal septum (the middle "wall" in your nose that separates your two nostrils).
• Do not blow your nose for at least 15 minutes after using this medicine.
• Do not use the Nasacort® nasal inhaler near a fire or flame. Do not poke a hole in the container.
• This medicine works best if you use it on a regular basis.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not using it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Dispose of the Nasacort® nasal inhaler after you have used 100 sprays. Dispose of the Nasacort® AQ nasal spray after you have used 125 sprays. Your patient instruction paper should have a check-off list to help you keep track of how many sprays you have used. Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container or outdated medicine.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other steroid medicines (such as cortisone, prednisone, Celestone®, Cortone®, Decadron®, Deltasone®, Pediapred®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have asthma, tuberculosis, or any kind of infection. This includes infections caused by herpes.
• Tell your doctor if you hurt your nose or have any other problems with your nose. You may need to stop using this medicine while your nose is healing.
• Your symptoms will probably start to get better within the first week. If your symptoms do not improve within three weeks or if they get worse at any time, call your doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. This is especially important if you have never had either of these diseases.
• If this medicine is being used by a child, tell the child's doctor if you think the child is not growing properly.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Puffiness around your face, or your skin color getting darker
• Severe nosebleed, or bleeding that will not stop or keeps coming back
• White patches or sores in your nose, mouth, or throat

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Burning, stinging, or soreness in your nose
• Dry nose or throat
• Headache
• Nausea

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.