Description

About Avamys nasal spray for hay fever

Nasal sprays are used on their own or combined with tablets and eye drops. They control sneezing and runny nose. Very little active drug is absorbed into the body.

There are three types of nasal sprays for which we carry out consultations:

• Steroid nasal spray: Avamys and Beconase, need to be used for a few days before they start to work. They are for continuous daily use through the hay fever season. Maximum use 12 weeks. NOT to be used at the same time as Dymista nasal spray. An antihistamine tablet can be combined with a steroid nasal spray if the nasal spray alone is not completely effective.
• Antihistamine nasal spray: Rhinolast, works within hours and can be used on an as-needed basis. Maximum use 12 weeks. NOT to be used at the same time as Dymista nasal spray.
• Dymista: Nasal spray which combines an antihistamine and a steroid in one spray. It has a dual antihistamine action and steroid action. It is more convenient and likely to be more effective than a steroid or an antihistamine spray on its own. Dymista should NOT be used at the same time as other hay fever nasal sprays.

Combining a steroid nasal spray with an antihistamine spray is usually more effective than either one alone.

How to use a nasal spray
Specific instructions on how to use nasal sprays are included in patient leaflets supplied with sprays. See also video from AsthmaUK – how to use a nasal spray.

1. Remove the dust cap which protects the nozzle and keeps it clean

2. For first use or if you have not used the spray for a few days, shake the bottle and press the pump until you get a fine spray.

3. Blow your nose gently before using. Close one nostril & put the nozzle in the other nostril. Tilt head forward slightly & keep the bottle upright. Breathe in slowly & squirt a spray into the nostril.

4. Remove the nozzle from this nostril and breathe out through your mouth.

5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 for the other nostril.

6. To clean the spray – take off the dust cap, and also the nozzle if possible, and wash in warm water