Nasacort AQ Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Nasacort AQ (Nasal)

Generic name: triamcinolone (nasal route) [ trye-am-SIN-oh-lone-a-SEET-oh-nide ]
Drug class: Nasal steroids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 1, 2022.

The Nasacort AQ brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Nasacort
- Nasacort AQ
- Tri-Nasal

In Canada

- Nasacort Aq
- Nasacort Cfc-Free

Available Dosage Forms:

- Spray

Therapeutic Class: Corticosteroid, Intermediate

Pharmacologic Class: Triamcinolone

## Uses for Nasacort AQ

Triamcinolone nasal spray is used to treat an itchy or runny nose, sneezing, or other symptoms caused by seasonal and perennial hay fever (allergic rhinitis).

Triamcinolone is a steroid (cortisone-like medicine). It works by preventing the inflammation that occurs with allergic reactions.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

## Before using Nasacort AQ

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of triamcinolone nasal spray in children 2 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.

### Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of triamcinolone nasal spray in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving triamcinolone nasal spray.

### Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

- Desmopressin
- Rotavirus Vaccine, Live

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Aldesleukin
- Balofloxacin
- Bemiparin
- Besifloxacin
- Ceritinib
- Ciprofloxacin
- Cobicistat
- Enoxacin
- Fleroxacin
- Flumequine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Levofloxacin
- Lomefloxacin
- Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
- Macimorelin
- Moxifloxacin
- Nadifloxacin
- Nadroparin
- Nirmatrelvir
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Pazufloxacin
- Pefloxacin
- Prulifloxacin
- Ritonavir
- Rufloxacin
- Sargramostim
- Sparfloxacin
- Tosufloxacin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Alcuronium
- Aspirin
- Atracurium
- Auranofin
- Fosphenytoin
- Gallamine
- Hexafluorenium
- Licorice
- Metocurine
- Phenytoin
- Primidone
- Saiboku-To

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Adrenal problems or
- Asthma or
- Cataracts, history of or
- Glaucoma, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

- Chicken pox (includes recent exposure) or
- Herpes simplex infection of the eye or
- Infections (bacteria, fungus, virus, or parasite), active or untreated or
- Measles (includes recent exposure) or
- Tuberculosis, active or history of—Can reduce the body's ability to fight infections.

- Injury to the nose or
- Nose surgery, recent or
- Sores or ulcers in the nose, recent—May prevent proper healing of these conditions.

## Proper use of Nasacort AQ

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain triamcinolone. It may not be specific to Nasacort AQ. Please read with care.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine is only used in the nose. Do not get this medicine in your eyes or mouth. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away with water and call your doctor right away.

Do not use this medicine for any other nose problem without checking with your doctor first.

To use the spray:

- Shake the bottle gently before each use.
- When you use the triamcinolone nasal spray for the first time, you must prime the spray. Press down fully on the top of the pump 5 times or until a fine spray comes out. Prime the spray if it has not been used for 14 days or more.
- Gently blow your nose before using the spray if needed. Tilt your head back slightly and insert the tip of the nose piece into your nostril.
- Close the opposite nostril with a finger. Release 1 spray and at the same time, breathe in gently through the nostril.
- Hold your breath for a few seconds then breathe out slowly through your mouth.
- Spray the opposite nostril using the same steps.
- Do not blow your nose for 15 minutes after using the spray.
- Wipe the tip of the spray bottle with a clean, dry tissue or cloth and put the cap back on.
- Use the check-off chart that is included in the package to help you monitor the number of sprays you used.
- Throw this medicine away after you use 120 sprays.

### Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

- For nasal dosage form (spray):
  - For treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
    - Adults and teenagers—Two sprays in each nostril once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed. Each spray contains 55 micrograms (mcg) of triamcinolone.
    - Children 6 to 12 years of age—One spray in each nostril once a day. Some children may need two sprays in each nostril once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    - Children 2 to 5 years of age—One spray in each nostril once a day.
    - Children younger than 2 years of age—Use is not recommended.

### Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

### Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Detailed Nasacort AQ dosage information

## Precautions while using Nasacort AQ

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to use it.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within 3 weeks or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may increase your risk of having some unwanted effects in the nose. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have bloody mucus, sores inside the nose, unexplained nosebleeds, or a whistling sound when you breathe while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause thrush (a type of fungus infection) in the nose or throat. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have white patches in the throat, or pain when you eat or swallow.

Check with your doctor immediately if you have changes in vision, such as blurred vision, difficulty reading, or eye pain during or after treatment. Your doctor may want your eyes checked by an eye doctor.

You may get infections more easily while you are using this medicine. Avoid being around people who are sick or have infections such as chickenpox or measles or if you have never had these infections or been immunized. This is especially important for children. Tell your doctor right away if you think you have been exposed to chickenpox or measles.

This medicine may increase your risk of having an adrenal gland that is less active than normal. The adrenal gland makes steroids for your body. This is more likely for people who use steroids for a long time or use high doses. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms: darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

This medicine may cause children to grow more slowly than normal. This would cause a child not to gain weight or get taller. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing properly or if you have any questions about this.

## Nasacort AQ side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

- Body aches or pain
- chills
- congestion
- diarrhea
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- hoarseness
- increased cough
- joint pain
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- runny nose
- shivering
- sweating
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- trouble sleeping
- trouble with swallowing
- unexplained nosebleeds
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- voice changes
- vomiting

Less common

- Cough producing mucus
- difficulty with breathing
- noisy breathing
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest

Incidence not known

- Blindness
- bloody mucus
- blurred vision
- changes in vision
- darkening of the skin
- decreased vision
- eye pain
- fainting
- fast heartbeat
- hives
- irritation
- itching
- joint stiffness or swelling
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- mental depression
- painful or difficult urination
- rash
- redness of the skin
- slowing of normal growth in children
- swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
- tearing
- trouble healing
- white patches in the throat

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- heartburn
- indigestion
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- tooth problems
- upper abdominal or stomach pain

Incidence not known

- Change in sense of smell or taste

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Nasacort AQ side effects (more detail)

## More about Nasacort AQ (triamcinolone nasal)

- Check interactions
- Reviews (5)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: nasal steroids
- Breastfeeding

### Patient resources

#### Other brands

Nasacort, Nasacort Allergy 24HR, Allernaze

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Allergic Rhinitis

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer