(azelastine hydrochloride)
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to use your medicine. This leaflet provides a summary of the information known about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Remember this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe this medicine and it may harm someone else, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
About your medicine
What is your medicine?
The name of your medicine is Rhinolast (common name azelastine hydrochloride).
Rhinolast nasal spray contains a solution of 0.1% w/v azelastine hydrochloride. Each squirt contains 140 micrograms azelastine hydrochloride.
Rhinolast nasal spray also contains hypromellose, disodium edetate, anhydrous citric acid, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate dodecahydrate and water.
Rhinolast nasal spray is a clear solution and comes in a glass bottle with a plastic cap and spray attachment. The bottle contains 22 ml of nasal spray solution.
What your medicine does
Rhinolast is an antihistamine. It prevents the effects of histamine and other substances in the nose that cause allergic reactions to pollens (ie. hayfever) or to other allergens such as cat and dog hair or house dust.
Who produces your medicine
The marketing authorisation for Rhinolast nasal spray is held by:
MEDA Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Rhinolast nasal spray is manufactured by:
MEDA Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
What your medicine is used for
Rhinolast is used to treat allergic rhinitis. This is an allergy which may affect you only at certain times of the year (for example, allergy to pollen, called hayfever), or all year round (for example, allergy to the house dust mite or dog and cat hairs). Usually it affects you by causing a runny nose, sneezing, itching or blocked nose. Rhinolast should help with these symptoms.
Before using your medicine
WARNING
Have you ever had an allergic reaction to azelastine hydrochloride?
If the answer is yes, you must not use Rhinolast. You must tell your doctor.
Important points to note before starting to use your medicine.
Are you pregnant?
Are you breast feeding?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you must tell your doctor - he may decide to alter your treatment.
What about other medicines that you may be taking ?
Rhinolast is not known to react badly with any other medicines.
What about food and drink?
Rhinolast is not known to react badly with any types of food or drink.
What to do if you see a different doctor, or have to go to hospital
If you see any other doctor or have to go to hospital for any reason, tell them what medicines you are taking.
Special warnings
None.
Using your medicine
How to use your medicine
Blow your nose first. Squirt one spray into each nostril in the morning and in the evening keeping your head upright. Do not tilt your head backwards as this may allow the medicine to trickle into the back of your mouth causing an unpleasant taste.
Rhinolast is suitable for use in adults and children aged 5 years and over.
What to do if you forget to use your medicine
If you forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you remember then use the next dose at the normal time.
What to do if you take an overdose
If you spray too much Rhinolast into your nose you are unlikely to have any problems. If you are worried, contact your doctor. If anyone, especially a child, accidentally drinks Rhinolast, contact your doctor or local hospital casualty department immediately.
If Rhinolast is accidentally sprayed into the eyes, bathe them with plenty of water. They may sting for a while.
How to prepare and use your Rhinolast Nasal Spray
- 1. Remove the protective cap.
- 2. Before first using, press the pump several times until an even spray emerges.
- 3. Spray once into each nostril keeping head upright. DO NOT TILT HEAD BACKWARDS.
- 4. Wipe and replace the protective cap.
After using your medicine
Rhinolast may, like many other medicines, have side effects. These are not usually serious.
For a few people the inside of their nose is irritated by Rhinolast occasionally causing a mild stinging, itching or sneezing. These symptoms do not last long. Very occasionally nose bleeding can occur.
You may have a bitter taste in your mouth, especially if you tilt your head backwards when you are using the nasal spray. This should go away if you have a soft drink a few minutes after using Rhinolast. Very occasionally the bitter taste might cause you to feel nauseous (sick).
If you notice any other problems, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store your medicine
- Keep your spray in a safe place where children cannot reach it. Used wrongly your spray could harm them.
- Do not use your spray after the expiry date on the box. Once you have opened the bottle do not use for longer than six months, even if there is some medicine still left in the bottle after this time. If necessary, ask your doctor to replace it with a new prescription.
- Do not put Rhinolast in the fridge.
This leaflet was written in July 1994, updated in July 2006.
Rhinolast is a registered trademark of MEDA
© MEDA
T5001219
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