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flunisolide
Nasalide, Nasarel, Rhinalar†, Syntaris§

Pregnancy Risk Category C

How supplied
Nasal inhalant:
25 mcg/metered spray, 200 doses/bottle‡
Nasal solution:
0.25 mg/ml in pump spray bottle (25 mcg/spray)

Action
Exact mechanism unknown. Decreases nasal inflammation, mainly by stabilizing leukocyte lysosomal membranes.

Indications & dosage
Symptoms of seasonal or perennial rhinitis--

Adults:
starting dose is 2 sprays (50 mcg) in each nostril b.i.d. Total daily dose is 200 mcg. If needed, dosage may be increased to 2 sprays in each nostril t.i.d. Maximum total daily dose is 8 sprays in each nostril (400 mcg daily).
Children ages 6 to 14:
starting dose is 1 spray (25 mcg) in each nostril t.i.d. or 2 sprays (50 mcg) in each nostril b.i.d. Total daily dose is 150 to 200 mcg. Maximum total daily dose is 4 sprays in each nostril (200 mcg daily).

Adverse reactions
CNS:
headache.
EENT:
mild, transient nasal burning and stinging; nasal congestion; nasopharyngeal fungal infection; burning; stinging; dryness; sneezing; epistaxis; watery eyes.
GI:
nausea, vomiting.

Interactions
None significant.

Effects on diagnostic tests
None reported.

Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to drug and in those with untreated localized infection involving nasal mucosa.

Nursing considerations

Patient teaching

*Liquid contains alcohol. **May contain tartrazine.  †Canada  ‡Australia  §U.K.  OTCOver the counter
Reactions may be common, uncommon, life-threatening, or COMMON AND LIFE-THREATENING

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