RHINOCORT 50mcg Nasal Spray 200mdI

What is Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal)?
Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal) is a steroidal nasal spray medication used to prevent and treat year round allergy symptoms such as stuffy (congestive) or runny nose, itchy nose, or sneezing. This medication is also prescribed for preventing the nasal polyps form relapsing after a surgery to remove them.
Budesonide Sod. Sorbate is a corticosteroid which works by preventing the release of certain substances (that cause inflammation) in the body thereby reducing swelling (inflammation) in the nasal passages. This medicine is sold as Rhinocort Aqua among several other trade names.

Important Information about Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal)
Do not use Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Rhinocort Aqua) if you are allergic to it, or to other corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone, or prednisone; or if you have other allergies. Prior to using this medication, let your doctor know about your medical history, especially if you ever had eye problems (glaucoma, cataracts), infections (tuberculosis), recent nose problems (such as injury, ulcers, surgery).
It may take up to a week before your condition starts to improve. You must continue using this medication regularly as prescribed. Contact your doctor if your allergy symptoms don?t subside even after 1 week of usage of this medication.
Steroidal medications such as Budesonide Sod. Sorbate can lower your immunity (lower white blood cells). Hence you must avoid contact with sick people who have infections or other illnesses. Seek medical attention immediately if you are exposed to an infection.
In some cases (rare), using a corticosteroid medication for a prolonged period can make it harder for your body to withstand physical stress. This aspect is significant if you have a surgery or a medical emergency, or if you get a serious illness or injury. You must let your doctor or other healthcare personnel know that you are using this medicine or have used it within the past few months.?
Steroidal medications should not be used on children without doctor?s advice as steroids can affect or hinder a child?s growth. However, steroidal medication like Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal) is unlikely to slow down a child?s growth. If this medication is being used on a child, then he or she needs to be monitored closely for growth by a doctor on a regular basis.
Budesonide Sod. Sorbate belongs to FDA pregnancy category B which means it is not expected to harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy. It is not known if this medication can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing child. However, you must consult your doctor before using this medication if you are a pregnant, or a breast feeding woman.

Before using Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal)
Prior to using this medication, let your doctor know about your medical history, especially if you ever had eye problems (glaucoma, cataracts, herpes simplex infection of eyes), infections (tuberculosis), recent nose problems (such as injury, ulcers, surgery).

How should I use Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal)
Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal) (Rhinocort Aqua) is only for use as a nasal spray. You must use this medication as directed by your doctor or as mentioned on the medication label. All medications come with proper instructions on how to use them. Read the instructions carefully if you have any doubt or contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding the medication.
Gently blow the nose before using this medication. Then spray the appropriate number of times as directed. Breathe in gently through your nose and out through your mouth. Do not spray directly onto the septum (nasal wall that separates the two nostrils).
Keep track of the number of sprays you have used from the medication container. Discard the container after you have used the specified number of sprays. Always store this medication in a cool and dry place.

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal), then take it as soon as you remember but if the time to take the next dose is near, skip the missed dose. Never take extra doses at the same time or near to each other to compensate for the missed dose. Extra amount of drug in your body can be harmful.

What if I overdose?
If you overdose on Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal), contact the?Doctor Immedaitely. An overdose of this medication is not expected to cause any life threatening effects. However, prolonged use of steroidal medications has been known to cause conditions such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in fat deposition in the body, increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while using Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal)?
Follow any restrictions advised by your doctor while using this medication, especially avoiding close contact with sick people or venturing out in a hospital setting (or similar healthcare facility).

Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal) Side Effects
Some common side effects of Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal) (Rhinocort Aqua) are dryness or irritation of nose or throat, cough, sneezing, bleeding from nose, and unpleasant taste or smell. However, if any of these effects persist or deteriorate, get medical attention right away.
Corticosteroids like Budesonide Sod. Sorbate may lower body immunity which can make you prone to serious (non fatal) infections or make any present infection worse. However, this is rare with nasal spray of this medicine. This can happen with higher doses prolonged usage. Seek medical attention immediately on first signs of infections such as ear pain, persistent sore throat, fever, chills, white patches inside the nose or back of the throat.
It is possible although in rarity that Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal) get absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream. This can cause side effects of too much corticosteroid, especially in children and those who use this medication for a long period of time or over large skin areas. Let your doctor know immediately if you have unusual or extreme tiredness, weight loss, headache, swelling ankles or feet, increase thirst or urination, or vision problems.
The side effects thus mentioned above are not all the possible ones due to Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal) as this is not a complete guide for this medication. If you experience any side effect not mentioned here and think that it is serious, get medical attention right away.?

Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal) Dosing Information
Follow your doctor?s directions on the dosage for Budesonide Sod. Sorbate (Nasal). Do not use more or less than the prescribed dosage.

Interaction with other drugs
Other drugs can interact with Budesonide Sod. Sorbate and cause harmful effects. Let your doctor know in advance if you are using any other medications, especially these ones: HIV/AIDS medicines (nelfinavir or ritonavir), an antibiotic (clarithromycin or erythromycin), an antifungal medicine (itraconazole or keoconazole), an SSRI antidepressant (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, or paroxetine), or a tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline, doxepine, imipramine, nortriptyline, and others).
This medication guide doesn?t contain complete information about it. Therefore, there may be other drug interactions. Remember to follow any drug restrictions advised by your doctor. Do not start a new medication without consulting a doctor.