Avamys

• Anti-inflammatory nasal spray
• Used for allergy
• Also suitable for children from the age of six years
• Not to be used while pregnant or breastfeeding

Avamys nasal spray belongs to a group of medicines called glucocorticoids. Avamys decreases inflammation caused by allergy (rhinitis) and thus reduces symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as a stuffy, runny or itchy nose, sneezing, and watery, itchy or red eyes.

This medicine is used to treat allergy symptoms which can occur at specific times of the year and are caused by allergy to pollen from grass or trees (hay fever), as well as symptoms that can occur all year round caused by allergy to animals, dust mites or moulds, to name some of the most common. Avamys is also suitable for children from the age of six.

Use the nasal spray once a day at the same time each day. Some people will not feel the full effects until several days after first using Avamys. However, it is usually effective within 8 to 24 hours of use.

Avamys is available as a convenient aerosol spray. The package leaflet contains step-by-step instructions on how to prepare and use the nasal spray correctly. The general guidelines for use are:

• When you first use the nasal spray, you will need to shake the bottle vigorously with the cap on for about 10 seconds.
• Remove the cap.
• Gently blow your nose.
• Place the nozzle in one of your nostrils. Point the end of the nozzle slightly outwards, away from the centre ridge of your nose. This helps to get the medicine to the correct part of your nose.
• Press the button firmly all the way in, while you breathe in through your nose.
• Take the nozzle out and breathe out through your mouth.
• If your dose is two sprays in each nostril repeat the last two steps.
• Repeat to treat the other nostril.
• Replace the cap on the nasal spray.

It is important to clean your nasal spray regularly according to the instructions in the package leaflet. Do not use the nasal spray after two months of opening.

Dosage

Dosage varies per person and is determined by a doctor depending on the symptoms. The general dosage guidelines are as follows:

• Adults and children aged 12 and over: the usual starting dose is two sprays in each nostril once every day. Once symptoms are controlled you may be able to decrease your dose to one spray in each nostril, once every day.
• Children aged 11 and under: the usual starting dose is one spray in each nostril once every day. If symptoms are very bad your doctor may increase the dose to two sprays in each nostril once every day until the symptoms are under control. It may then be possible for the dose to be reduced to one spray in each nostril once every day.

Do not use in children under six years of age.

Alcohol/driving

Avamys does not interact with alcohol. Avamys is unlikely to affect your ability to drive and use machines.

If you use more/forget to use Avamys

If you use more Avamys than you should, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

Avamys is not suitable for everyone. Do not use the nasal spray if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine (see section 'What Avamys contains').

When should this medicine be used with caution?

If you have liver problems, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

When taken for a long time, Avamys may cause children to grow more slowly. The doctor will check your child’s height regularly, and make sure he or she is taking the lowest possible effective dose.

Avamys may cause eye conditions such as glaucoma (increase in pressure in the eye) or cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye). Tell your doctor if you had these conditions in the past, or if you notice blurred vision or other visual disturbances while you are taking Avamys.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Do not use Avamys if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding, unless otherwise advised by your doctor.

Other medicines and Avamys

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal medicines.

It is especially important to tell your doctor if you are taking, or have recently taken any of the following medicines:

• Steroid tablets or injected steroids.
• Steroid creams.
• Medicines for asthma.
• Ritonavir, used to treat HIV.
• Ketoconazole, used to treat fungal infections.

Your doctor will assess whether you should take Avamys with these medicines. Avamys should not be used at the same time with other nasal sprays containing steroids.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

If you have an allergic reaction, get a doctor’s help straight away. Allergic reactions to Avamys are rare and affect less than 1 person in 1,000. In a small number of people, allergic reactions can develop into a more serious, even life-threatening problem if not treated. Symptoms include:

• Becoming very wheezy, coughing or having difficulty with breathing.
• Suddenly feeling weak or lightheaded (which may lead to collapse or loss of consciousness).
• Swelling around the face.
• Skin rashes or redness.

In many cases, these symptoms will be signs of less serious side effects. But you must be aware that they are potentially serious – so, if you notice any of these symptoms, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

Other possible side effects of Avamys include:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• Nosebleeds (generally minor), particularly if you use Avamys for more than six weeks continuously.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Nasal ulceration – which may cause irritation or discomfort in your nose. You may also get streaks of blood when you blow your nose.
• Headache.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Pain, burning, irritation, soreness or dryness in the inside of the nose.

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

• Slowing of growth in children.
• Temporary changes to vision with long term use.

Nasal corticosteroids can affect the normal production of hormones in your body, particularly if you use high doses for a long time. In children this side effect can cause them to grow more slowly than others.

If the side effects are severe or if you get any side effects that are not listed in the package leaflet, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

The active substance is fluticasone furoate. Each spray delivers 27.5 micrograms of fluticasone furoate.

Read the package leaflet before use. The official package leaflet of Avamys is available for download here.