Consumer Information

Add to List

Nasacort AQ

On This Page

Treatment & Uses
Side Effects
Treating Overdose
Safety Information
Before Using

Generic Name: triamcinolone nasal (trye am SIN oh lone)
Brand Names: Nasacort AQ

What is Nasacort AQ?

Feedback for Nasacort AQ

User Reviews	Avg User Rating
4 Comments		8.0	Rate it!

Nasacort AQ is a nasal spray that contains triamcinolone - an adrenocortical steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation (redness, swelling, itching, irritation).

Nasacort AQ is used to treat nasal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose caused by seasonal allergies or hay fever.

Nasacort AQ may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Nasacort AQ

Do not use Nasacort AQ in a child under 12 years old without the advice of a doctor. Some brands of triamcinolone nasal are not made for use in children. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to triamcinolone.

Before using Nasacort AQ, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have tuberculosis, asthma, a history of glaucoma or cataracts, any type of infection, or if you have had recent surgery or injury to your nose.

Nasacort AQ can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicine.

You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a steroid medicine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using Nasacort AQ suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Before using Nasacort AQ

Do not use Nasacort AQ if you are allergic to triamcinolone.

Before using this medicine tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

tuberculosis;
asthma;
any type of infection;
a history of glaucoma or cataracts; or
if you have had recent surgery or injury to your nose.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Nasacort AQ.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using Nasacort AQ, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Nasacort AQ passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Nasacort AQ can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

How should I use Nasacort AQ?

Use Nasacort AQ exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Before each use, gently blow your nose to clear your nostrils.

Shake the medicine well just before using it.

To use Nasacort AQ inhaler:

Remove the protective cap from the nasal inhaler.
Hold the inhaler between your thumb and forefinger, tilt your head back slightly, and insert the inhaler into one nostril while holding the other nostril closed with one finger.
Press down on the canister to release the spray and inhale gently at the same time. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then breathe out slowly through the mouth.
Replace the white protective inhaler cap.
Clean your inhaler weekly by removing the medicine canister and the protective cap, and rinsing the inhaler thoroughly with warm water. Do not use soap. Allow the inhaler to dry completely before replacing the cap and canister.
Throw away the nasal inhaler after 100 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the canister.

To use Nasacort AQ spray:

Before using the spray for the first time, prime the spray pump by spraying the medicine into the air and away from your face, until a fine mist appears. Prime the spray pump any time you have not used your nasal spray for longer than 14 days.
Hold the nasal spray with the tip pointed into one nostril but not far into your nose. Bend your head forward to aim the spray toward the back of your nose. Hold your other nostril closed with one finger. Pump the spray unit and sniff gently at the same time.
Throw away the nasal spray after 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Avoid blowing your nose for 15 minutes after using this medication.

It may take up to a week of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 1 week of treatment, or if they get worse any time during treatment. You may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a steroid medicine after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using triamcinolone suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

If you use Nasacort AQ for several months, your doctor may need to check you on a regular basis to make sure the medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

Store Nasacort AQ at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the cover and clip on the nasal spray pump unit when not in use. Keep the protective cap on the nasal inhaler when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Nasacort AQ is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while taking Nasacort AQ?

Nasacort AQ can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.

What are the possible side effects of Nasacort AQ?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

weakness, tired feeling, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
white patches or sores inside your nose or mouth, or on your lips; or
blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights.

Less serious Nasacort AQ side effects may include:

stinging, burning, or bleeding in your nose;
sneezing after use of the medicine;
sore throat, cough, stuffy nose;
watery eyes;
headache;
nausea, vomiting; or
an unpleasant taste or smell.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Nasacort AQ?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

cancer medicine (chemotherapy);
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf);
basiliximab (Simulect), efalizumab (Raptiva),muromonab-CD3 (Orthoclone);
mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept);
azathioprine (Imuran), leflunomide (Arava), etanercept (Enbrel); or
other steroids such as prednisone, fluticasone (Advair), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol) and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Nasacort AQ. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Nasacort AQ.

What does my medication look like?

Triamcinolone nasal is available with a prescription under the brand names Nasacort AQ and Tri-Nasal Spray. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Nasacort AQ Nasal Inhaler 10 grams (100 doses/55 mcg per dose)
Nasacort AQ Nasal Spray 16.5 grams (120 sprays/55 mcg per dose)
Tri-Nasal Spray 7.5 mg/15 mL (120 sprays/50 mcg per dose)

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.