Rhinocort Aqueous (Budesonide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Rhinocort Aqueous Used For?
Rhinocort Aqueous contains budesonide, a corticosteroid medication that helps reduce inflammation in your nose. It’s specifically designed to prevent and treat allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Primary Uses
Rhinocort treats allergic rhinitis, which is inflammation or swelling of the nose lining that causes blockage, runny nose, itching, and sneezing. This includes seasonal allergies (hay fever) caused by pollen during spring or summer, and year-round allergies (perennial allergic rhinitis) caused by dust mites, pets, or molds. It’s also used to treat nasal polyps in adults 18 years and older.
How It Works
Budesonide belongs to a family of medicines called corticosteroids, which work by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages. This helps relieve symptoms like congestion, runny nose, and sneezing caused by allergic reactions.
Good to know: For best results, start using Rhinocort before hay fever season begins or before coming into contact with known allergens. Early use helps reduce the severity of your symptoms.
How to Take Rhinocort Aqueous
Rhinocort is a nasal spray that should be used regularly for best results. Gently blow your nose before using the spray, and follow the instruction leaflet included in each pack.
Dosage Instructions
For allergic rhinitis/hay fever: When starting treatment, use TWO sprays into EACH nostril in the morning, OR ONE spray into EACH nostril twice daily (morning and evening). Once symptoms improve, your doctor may reduce the dose to ONE spray into EACH nostril in the morning. For nasal polyps (adults 18+ only): Use ONE spray into EACH nostril twice daily (morning and evening). It may take a few days to 2 weeks before you notice improvement. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Use Rhinocort regularly at the same time each day. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never double your dose if you miss one. This could lead to unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Sneezing after spraying or nose irritation
- Nosebleeds
- Nasal crust
- Dry nose or mouth
- Itching or sore throat
- Cough
- Increased sputum
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Severe rash
- Ulcer (open wound) in your nose
- Signs of nasal or sinus infection (persistent fever, pain, swelling, or discolored nasal discharge)
- Vision changes or blurred vision
Important Warnings
Before using Rhinocort, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Rhinocort Aqueous
Do not use Rhinocort if you are allergic to budesonide, other corticosteroids, or any ingredients in the medication. Always check the ingredient list to ensure you can safely use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: frequent nosebleeds, severe nasal infections (especially thrush), nasal/sinus/chest infections, recent nose injury or surgery, open sores in your nose, severe nasal congestion, tuberculosis or exposure to TB/chickenpox/measles, glaucoma, cataracts or eye infections, or diabetes. Also inform your doctor about any other medical conditions or medications you’re taking.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before using Rhinocort.
Children’s Growth: Long-term use of nasal corticosteroids may affect how children grow. Some children may be sensitive to growth effects, so doctors may monitor a child’s height during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with Rhinocort or affect how well it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
- Other corticosteroid medicines (tablets, asthma inhalers, nasal sprays, eye/nose drops)
- Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole)
- Cimetidine (for reflux and stomach ulcers)
- Certain antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin)
Alcohol & Driving
Rhinocort may cause dizziness in some people, so take precautions when driving or operating machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol while using Rhinocort.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Rhinocort affects you, as it may cause dizziness in some people.
Storage
Store Rhinocort in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C (86°F). Do not freeze. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – avoid storing in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Rhinocort, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you don’t feel unwell or show signs of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may take a few days, and in rare cases up to 2 weeks, of regular use before you notice improvement in your symptoms. For best results, start using it before hay fever season or before exposure to known allergens.
No, do not use Rhinocort to treat any other complaints unless your doctor specifically tells you to. It’s designed specifically for allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps in adults.
Use it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for the one you missed.
Rhinocort can be used by children 6 years and older, but talk to your child’s doctor if they need to use it for longer than two months per year. Long-term use may affect growth in some children, so doctors may monitor height during treatment.
Yes, you should tell your doctor if you drink alcohol while using Rhinocort. Also inform any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you visit that you’re using this medication.
No, never give Rhinocort to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. Each person needs their own prescription and medical evaluation.
If your symptoms persist or worsen, or if new symptoms occur, stop using Rhinocort and see your doctor. Also ask your doctor to examine your nose periodically to ensure the medicine is working properly.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.