Avamys Nasal Spray (120 Sprays)

Hay Fever Doctor Service

Avamys 27.5 Micrograms Per Spray Nasal Spray Suspension - Fluticasone Furoate (120 Sprays)

Avamys (fluticasone furoate) belongs to a group of medicines called glucocorticoids. Avamys works to decrease inflammation caused by allergy (rhinitis) and therefore reduce symptoms of allergy.

Avamys nasal spray is used to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis including stuffy, runny or itchy nose,
sneezing and watery, itchy or red eyes.

Allergy symptoms can occur at specific times of the year and be caused by allergy to pollen from grass or trees (hay fever), or they can occur all year round and be caused by allergy to animals, house-dust mites or moulds to name some of the most common.

How Long Avamys Takes To Work

• 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.
• Suitable for adults & children aged 6 & over.

You can order Avamys spray online from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. To see if you are suitable for this treatment, complete the online assessment and checkout. Our UK registered doctors will review the order and after approval pass the prescription to the Pharmacy team. We will then dispense and dispatch your order to your chosen address.

Effectiveness

Avamys is a widely used and effective rhinitis treatment however every patient can respond differently to medication. If you find that this medicine is not effective for you, you may want to try another alternative treatment.

A good self care guide and information for hay fever is available on the NHS website.

NHS - Hay fever

Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy.

What Can You Do To Ease Your Symptoms When The Pollen Count Is High?

• Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
• Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes
• Stay indoors whenever possible
• Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
• Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
• Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
• Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter

How Do I Use Avamys Nasal Spray?
Before using Avamys, you should read the patient information leaflet provided in the ‘Info Leaflet’ tab.

Starting dose recommended for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (for adults and children over the age of 12):
‘TWO sprays into each nostril daily.’ (This can be reduced to ‘ONE spray into each nostril daily’ when symptoms become more controlled)

Starting Dose For Children From 6-11 years old:
‘ONE spray into each nostril daily.’ (This can be increased to ‘TWO sprays if needed’, and when symptoms become more controlled again the dose can be reduced back to ’ONE spray into each nostril daily’).

• Patients under the age of 6 years old cannot use Avamys.

Avamys Works Best If It Is Used On A Regular Basis
Symptom relief can begin up to 8 hours or more after you first start using Avamys, however, you will receive the maximum benefit when you use Avamys every day during the time that you are exposed to your allergy.

Is Avamys Suitable For Me?
In specific situations, Avamys nasal spray should be used with caution. It is advised not to use Avamys if you:

• Have problems with your liver
• Have glaucoma or cataracts
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

Be sure to tell our online doctor on our online assessment form, if you are taking other medication (including either prescribed medicines by your GP or purchased medicines from a pharmacy.)

Avamys may not be suitable for you or may need to be used with caution if you are taking certain medicines, for example:

• Steroid-based medicines (specifically ones taken orally)
• Ritonavir
• Ketoconazole (taken orally)
• If you are allergic to fluticasone furoate or any of the other ingredients.

How Long Can I Use Avamys For?
Avamys will treat your symptoms throughout the day and night. 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. The usual starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once every day.

Can Avamys Be Used Long Term?
Intranasal steroid sprays are safe for long-term use, and there is little evidence to indicate they cause significant systemic side effects. However, patients with chronic rhinitis who might use them for long periods should be advised to use them only intermittently and at the lowest dose that controls their symptoms.

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

Allergic Reactions: 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 light-headed (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.

Very Common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• Nosebleeds (generally minor), particularly if you use Avamys for more than 6 weeks continuously.

Common side effects (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.
• Shortness of breath

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

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

Very rarely, the normal production of steroids in your body may be affected. This is more likely to happen if you use high doses for a long time. Your doctor will help stop this happening by making sure you use the lowest dose of steroid which controls your symptoms.

In children this side effect can rarely cause them to grow more slowly than others. Children who receive this treatment for a long period of time will have their height checked regularly by their doctor.

For a full list of side effects, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Patient Information Leaflet Avamys Nasal Spray (120 Sprays)

Other medicines and Avamys
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, or might take any other
medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
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 or cobicistat, used to treat HIV
• ketoconazole, used to treat fungal infections

Your doctor will assess whether you should take Avamys with these medicines. Your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking any of these medicines as they may increase the side effects of Avamys.
Avamys should not be used at the same time with other nasal sprays containing steroids.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Do not use Avamys if you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to. Do not use Avamys if you are breastfeeding unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.

Driving and using machines
Avamys is unlikely to affect your ability to drive and use machines.

Avamys contains benzalkonium chloride
This medicine contains 8.25 micrograms of benzalkonium chloride per spray (27.5 micrograms). Benzalkonium chloride may cause irritation or swelling inside of the nose, especially if used for a long time. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you feel discomfort when using the spray.

How to store Avamys

• It is best to store your Avamys nasal spray upright. Always keep the cap on.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month. Avamys nasal spray should be used within 2 months after first opening.
• Do not refrigerate or freeze.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw
  away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

How to use Avamys nasal spray

Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Don’t exceed the recommended dose. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re not sure.

When to use Avamys
• Use once a day
• Use at the same time each day. This will treat your symptoms throughout the day and night.

How much to use - adults and children 12 years and over

• The usual starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once every day.
• Once symptoms are controlled you may be able to decrease your dose to 1 spray in each nostril, once every day.

Children 6 to 11 years

• The usual starting dose is 1 spray in each nostril once a day.
• If symptoms are very bad your doctor may increase the dose to 2 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 1 spray in each nostril once every day.

Using Avamys nasal spray

• Avamys have virtually no taste or smell.
• It is sprayed into the nose as a fine mist.
• Be careful not to get any spray into your eyes. If you do, rinse your eyes with water.

Preparing the nasal spray helps to make sure you always get the full dose of medicine.

The nasal spray comes in an amber glass bottle inside a plastic casing. It will contain either 30, 60 or 120 sprays, depending on the pack size that has been prescribed for you.

The window in the plastic casing lets you see how much Avamys is left in the bottle. You will be able to see the liquid level for a new 30 or 60 spray bottle, but not in a new 120 spray bottle because the liquid level is above the window.

Follow these steps:

1. Shake the nasal spray vigorously with the cap on for about 10 seconds.
2. Remove the cap by squeezing firmly on the sides of the cap with your thumb and forefinger.
3. Hold the nasal spray upright, then tilt and point the nozzle away from you.
4. Press the button firmly all the way in. Do this at least 6 times until it releases a fine mist of spray into the air.

Directions:

1. Shake the nasal spray vigorously.
2. Remove the cap.
3. Blow your nose to clear your nostrils, then tilt your head forward a little bit.
4. Place the nozzle in one of your nostrils – see picture g. 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.
5. Press the button firmly all the way in, while you breathe in through your nose.
6. Take the nozzle out and breathe out through your mouth.
7. If your dose is 2 sprays in each nostril repeat steps 4 to 6.
8. Repeat steps 4 to 7 to treat the other nostril.
9. Replace the cap on the nasal spray.

Cleaning the nasal spray - After each use:

1. Wipe the nozzle and inside of the cap with a clean, dry tissue.
2. Do not use water to clean it.
3. Never use a pin or anything sharp on the nozzle.
4. Always replace the cap once you have finished.

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

If you forget to use Avamys
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly the time for your next dose, wait until then. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Please see the STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO USING THE NASAL SPRAY on your Patient Information Leaflet.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, or if you have any discomfort using the nasal spray ask your doctor or pharmacist or nurse.

Do not use Avamys

• If you are allergic to fluticasone furoate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine 

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use it in children under 6 years old.

Taking Avamys:

• may when taken for a long time 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.
• 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.

What Avamys contains

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

The other ingredients are glucose anhydrous, dispersible cellulose, polysorbate 80, benzalkonium chloride, disodium edetate, purified water (see section 2).

What Avamys looks like and contents of the pack
The medicine is a white nasal spray suspension contained in an amber glass bottle, fitted with a pump.

The bottle is in an off-white plastic casing with a light blue cap and side-actuated lever. The casing has a window for viewing the bottle contents. Avamys is available in pack sizes 30, 60 and 120 sprays. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.