Rhinocort Turbuhaler

Brand Name

Rhinocort Turbuhaler

Common Name

budesonide nasal turbuhaler

In this drug factsheet:

• How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
• How should I use this medication?
• What form(s) does this medication come in?
• Who should NOT take this medication?
• What side effects are possible with this medication?
• Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
• What other drugs could interact with this medication?

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Budesonide nasal turbuhaler is a corticosteroid that is used to treat seasonal allergic, perennial (year-round), and vasomotor (caused by too many or over-sensitive blood vessels in the nose) rhinitis that has not responded to usual therapies. It works to relieve the symptoms of rhinitis (e.g., stuffy nose and runny nose) by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages.

Budesonide is also used to treat nasal polyps and prevent recurrences of nasal polyps after surgery to remove polyps. The effects of treatment with budesonide nasal turbuhaler may be noticed 2 to 3 days after treatment has started, but it may take up to 2 weeks for some people to see a difference.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use this medication?

For treatment of rhinitis, the usual starting dose for adults and children over 6 years is 2 applications into each nostril in the morning. After the symptoms have been brought under control, the smallest amount necessary to control the symptoms should be used. Treatment of seasonal rhinitis should, if possible, start before exposure to the allergens.

The usual dose for treatment and prevention of nasal polyps is one application into each nostril twice daily, in the morning and evening.

To use the turbuhaler:

1. Hold it upright with the grip downwards.
2. To load the turbuhaler with a dose, turn the grip as far as it will go in one direction and then back to the original position. The "click" means that the turbuhaler is ready to use.
3. Breathe out, but do not breathe out through the turbuhaler.
4. Place the nasal adapter so the nostril fits tightly around the adapter and block the opposite nostril with a finger.
5. Sniff quickly and forcefully.
6. Remove the turbuhaler from your nose before breathing out.
7. Repeat the above steps for each dose and each nostril.

If you accidentally drop, shake, or breathe out into the turbuhaler after it is loaded, the dose will be lost. If this happens, load a new dose and inhale it. You may not taste or feel the medication when inhaling, but you will receive the medication if you follow the instructions provided by your health care professional or in the package insert.

If you are not sure how to use the turbuhaler, speak with your physician, pharmacist, or other health professional.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is very important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you are using this medication for rhinitis and you miss a dose but remember within 12 hours, administer it as soon as possible and continue on with your regular schedule. If it is more than 12 hours when you remember, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you are using this medication for nasal polyps and you miss a dose but remember within 6 hours, administer it as soon as possible and continue on with your regular schedule. If it is more than 6 hours when you remember, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. Always replace the cover after using this medication.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

Each dry powder inhaler contains 200 doses of micronized budesonide 100 µg per dose. Each inhalation from Turbuhaler will provide 100 µg of budesonide active substance; no additives or carrier substances are included. Nonmedicinal ingredients: none.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Budesonide nasal turbuhaler should not be used by anyone who:

• is allergic to budesonide or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• is under 6 years of age
• has active or quiescent (dormant) tuberculosis
• has an untreated fungal, bacterial, or viral infection

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• cough
• dizziness
• headache
• itching of throat
• nasal crusting
• nasal irritation
• nausea
• nosebleed
• sore throat
• throat irritation
• tiredness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• skin rash
• sores in the skin inside the nose

Stop using the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of eyes, throat, or face; skin rash; hives; difficulty breathing)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Infection: Corticosteroids such as budesonide can mask the signs of infection. You can also develop other infections such as a fungal throat infection. Children may also be more susceptible to infections such as chickenpox or measles while taking corticosteroid medications. Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you develop any new symptoms.

Medical conditions: People with asthma, thyroid problems, or liver disease should discuss with their doctor how this medication may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Other corticosteroid medications: People who have been taking oral corticosteroids and are starting budesonide nasal turbuhaler should be carefully monitored by their doctor. Changing from the oral form to the nasal spray can cause symptoms such as tiredness, aches, pains, and depression. Tell your doctor if you have used or are using other corticosteroids. Your doctor will monitor you while you are taking this medication.

Stopping treatment: Treatment with budesonide should be tapered off gradually as directed by your doctor, not stopped abruptly. Talk with your doctor before stopping this medication.

Wound healing: Budesonide may increase the time it takes for wounds to heal. People with recent nasal surgery or trauma should discuss with their doctor how this medication may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking budesonide, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children under 6 years of age. Continuous, long-term use of budesonide by children is not recommended.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between budesonide nasal turbuhaler and any of the following:

• "azole" antifungal medications (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole)
• clarithromycin
• cobicistat
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., darunavir, indinavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir)
• nefazodone
• telaprevir

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Rhinocort-Turbuhaler