What is flunisolide nasal? 

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

Flunisolide nasal is used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion,  sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.

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

What is the most important information I should know about flunisolide nasal? 

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to flunisolide, or if you have any type of untreated infection in  your nose or sinuses. 

Before using flunisolide, tell your  doctor if you have asthma, tuberculosis, herpes simplex infection of your eyes, sores  or ulcers in your nose, or if you have recently had an injury of or surgery on your nose. 

It may take up to several days of using flunisolide before your symptoms improve. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment. 

Steroid medicines can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using flunisolide nasal. 

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 steroid medication. 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using flunisolide nasal? 

You  should not use  this medication if you are allergic to flunisolide, or if you have any type of untreated infection in your nose or sinuses. 

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests  to safely use this  medication: 

• 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.

FDA pregnancy category C.  It is not known whether flunisolide nasal  is harmful  to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell  your doctor if you are pregnant  or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether flunisolide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use flunisolide nasal without telling your doctor if  you are breast-feeding a baby. 

Steroid medicines can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is  not growing at a normal rate while using  flunisolide nasal. 

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old without the advice of a doctor. 

How should I use flunisolide nasal? 

Use this medication  exactly as it was prescribed for you.  Do not use the medication in larger amounts,  or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. 

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. 

The usual dose for adults is 2 sprays into each nostril 2 or 3 times per day. Follow your doctor's instructions.  Do not use more than 8 sprays in each nostril per day. 

The usual dose for children is 1 spray into each nostril 3 times per day, or 2 sprays in each nostril twice per day. Follow  your doctor's instructions. Children should not use more than 4 sprays in each nostril per day. 

Before using  the spray for the  first time, you must prime  the spray pump. Spray 5  to 6 test sprays into  the air until a fine mist appears. Prime  the spray pump any time you have not used your nasal spray for longer than 5 days,  or if you have taken  the pump apart for cleaning. 

It may take up to several days of using this medicine before  your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment. 

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects on  your nose or sinuses, your doctor will need  to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments. 

Store this medication in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. 

Throw  the medication away after you have used 200 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in  the bottle. 

What happens if I miss a dose? 

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for  the next dose, skip  the missed dose  and wait until  your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine  to make up  the missed dose. 

What happens if I overdose? 

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much  of this medicine. 

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. 

What should I avoid while using flunisolide nasal? 

Avoid getting this  medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse  with water and call  your doctor. 

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 steroid medication. 

Flunisolide nasal side effects 

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of  your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: 

• severe or ongoing nose bleed; 
• sores in  the nose that won't heal; or 
• weakness, tired feeling, nausea, loss  of appetite, weight loss. 

Less serious side effects may include: 

• burning or stinging in  your nose; 
• changes in  your sense of smell; 
• minor nosebleed; 
• unusual taste after using the spray; 
• dry nose, cough, sore throat; or 
• hoarse voice. 

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 

Flunisolide nasal Dosing Information 

Usual Adult Dose  for Allergic Rhinitis:  nitial 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 doses should not exceed 8 sprays in each nostril. 

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 doses should  not exceed 4 sprays  in each nostril. 

> 14 years: 

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 doses should  not exceed 8 sprays in each nostril. 

What other drugs will affect flunisolide nasal? 

Before  using flunisolide, tell your doctor if you are being treated with prednisone. 

There may be  other drugs that can interact with flunisolide nasal. Tell  your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications  you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. 

Where can I get more information? 

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about flunisolide nasal. 

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out  of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others,  and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. 

• Every effort has been made to ensure  that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made  to that effect. Drug information contained herein  may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside  of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is  an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to,  and not a substitute for,  the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate  that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does  not assume  any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If  you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with  your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.