Avamys
fluticasone furoate
fluticasone furoate
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist or nurse.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness seem the same as yours.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4
What Avamys is and what it is used for
What you need to know before you use Avamys
How to use Avamys
Possible side effects
How to store Avamys
Contents of the pack and other information Step-by-step guide to using the nasal spray
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, in adults and children aged 6 years and over.
Allergy symptoms can occur at specific times of the year and be caused by allergy to pollen from grass or trees (hayfever), 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.
Do not use 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.
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.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Avamys is unlikely to affect your ability to drive and use machines.
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.
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.
Use once a day
Use at the same time each day.
This 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.
Once symptoms are controlled you may be able to decrease your dose to 1 spray in each nostril, once every 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.
Avamys has 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.
There is a step-by-step guide to using the nasal spray after Section 6 of this leaflet. Follow the guide carefully to get full benefit from using Avamys
See Step-by-step guide to using the nasal spray, after Section 6.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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.
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.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
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:
Nosebleeds (generally minor), particularly if you use Avamys for more than 6 weeks continuously.
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
Pain, burning, irritation, soreness or dryness in the inside of the nose.
Small holes (perforations) in the ridge inside the nose that separates the nostrils.
Slowing of growth in children.
Blurred vision or temporary changes to vision with long term use.
Chest tightness causing difficulty in breathing.
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 you get any side effects talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
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.
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).
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.
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For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
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The nasal spray comes in an amber glass bottle inside a plastic casing - see picture a. 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.
Avamys comes in an amber glass bottle. If you need to check how much is left hold the nasal spray upright against a bright light. You will then be able to see the level through the window.
When you first use the nasal spray you will need to shake it vigorously with the cap on for about 10 seconds. This is important as Avamys is a thick suspension that becomes liquid when you shake it well - see picture b. It will only spray when it becomes liquid.
The mist-release button must be pressed firmly all the way in, to release the mist through the nozzle - see picture c.
If you have difficulty pressing the button with your thumb, you can use two hands – see picture d
before you use it for the first time
if you have left the cap off for 5 days or the intranasal device has not been used for 30 days or more.
Preparing the nasal spray helps to make sure you always get the full dose of medicine. Follow these steps:
Remove the cap by squeezing firmly on the sides of the cap with your thumb and forefinger– see picture e.
Hold the nasal spray upright, then tilt and point the nozzle away from you.
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.
Press the button firmly all the way in, while you breathe in through your nose – see picture h.
Take the nozzle out and breathe out through your mouth.
If your dose is 2 sprays in each nostril repeat steps 4 to 6.
Repeat steps 4 to 7 to treat the other nostril.
Wipe the nozzle and inside of the cap with a clean, dry tissue – see pictures i and j.
Do not use water to clean it.
Check you still have medicine left. Look at the level through the window. If the level is very low there may not be enough left to work the nasal spray.
Check the nasal spray for damage
If you think the nozzle may be blocked, don’t use a pin or anything sharp to clear it.
Try to reset it by following the instructions under ‘Preparing the nasal spray for use’.
If it is still not working, or if it produces a jet of liquid, take the nasal spray back to the pharmacy to get advice.