Mayo Clinic Health Manager
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This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
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.
If you are using the nasal spray for the first time, you will need to prime the spray. To do this, you should release six test sprays into the air away from the face, or pump the bottle until some of the medicine sprays out. Now it is ready to use. Prime the spray if it has not been used for more than 30 days or if the cap has been left off the bottle for 5 days or longer. Shake the medicine well before each use.
Before using the medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.
After using the nasal spray, wipe the tip of the bottle with a clean tissue and put the cap back on.
You may need to use this medicine for a few days before you start to feel better.
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 symptoms of hay fever:
- Adults and children 12 years of age and older—110 micrograms (mcg) or 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. Your doctor may decrease your dose to 55 mcg or 1 spray in each nostril once a day.
- Children 2 to 11 years of age—55 mcg or 1 spray in each nostril once a day. Your child's doctor may need to increase the dose up to 2 sprays in each nostril once a day depending on your child's condition.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For symptoms of hay fever:
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.