Rhinocort Nasal Spray (budesonide) - 120 Sprays

What is Rhinocort Aqua Nasal Spray?

Rhinocort Aqua is a nasal spray that contains the medicine budesonide, which belongs to a group of drugs known as corticosteroids.

This medicine provides effective treatment for allergic rhinitis for adults and children over the age of 6. You cannot buy Rhinocort Aqua without a prescription.

What is Rhinocort Aqua used to treat?

Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray is used to treat and prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Inflammation of the nasal passage
• Increased mucus production
• Blocked/runny nose
• Headaches

Allergic rhinitis is a common condition in the UK, affecting 20% of the population. While it is common and does not normally pose a serious health risk, it can be a very debilitating problem to have to live with.

Allergic rhinitis cannot be cured, but by using a treatment like Rhinocort Aqua you can control your symptoms and carry on with your life as usual. 

As well as allergic rhinitis, Rhinocort Aqua nasal sprays can also be used to treat nasal polyps, which are small growths within the nose.

Why is Rhinocort Aqua recommended for hay fever?

Corticosteroids help to reduce and prevent inflammation, and this nasal spray is used to treat and prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps.

Budesonide is a medcine that has been widely used since 1981 and is currently featured on the World Health Organisation's List of Essential Medicine.

Rhinocort Aqua is safe for long-term use.

How does Rhinocort Aqua work?

Rhinocort Aqua contains the active ingredient budesonide, which is a corticosteroid medicine. Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory properties, meaning they can reduce and prevent inflammation inside the nose.

Allergic rhinitis can cause the nasal passages to swell. It can also increase mucus production and make it harder to breathe properly. Budesonide nasal spray works to target the inflamed areas and reduce the swelling, helping to unblock your nose and allow you to breathe normally again.

It can take a few days for Rhinocort Aqua to reach maximum effect, so it is best if you start to use it a few days in advance of when you expect to come into contact with allergy triggers.

Who can use Rhinocort?

Do not use the Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray if you are allergic to budesonide or any of the other ingredients in this medicine (please see the Ingredients tab for full details).

This product should not be used by children under the age of 6.

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you start using Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray if any of the following applies to you:

• You have ever had glaucoma or cataracts
• You have any liver problems
• You have diabetes
• You have an eye infection
• You suffer from heavy or frequent nose bleeds
• You have recently had nose surgery or nose ulcers
• You have a nose injury that has not healed properly yet
• You have tuberculosis, measles, chicken pox or a chest infection, or have recently come into contact with someone else who has any of these conditions
• You are currently using any other corticosteroid medicines

More information is available in the patient information leaflet which should be read before taking this medicine.

Can you buy Rhinocort Aqua over the counter?

You can’t buy Rhinocort Aqua over the counter, you must have a prescription for this medicine.

Can you buy Rhinocort Aqua online in the UK?

This product is only available on prescription. You can buy Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray from Medicine Direct by completing a simple and confidential online consultation, which will be reviewed by a registered prescriber. They will review your medical history and assess whether this treatment is suitable for you.

Order from our online pharmacy by 2pm for next day delivery.

To ensure you only buy genuine and approved medicine, you should never order medicine online from anywhere other than regulated pharmacies, like Medicine Direct. We are fully regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Rhinocort Aqua alternatives

Various alternative treatments exist for allergic rhinitis (hay fever), ranging from other nasal sprays to oral medication. Medicine Direct stocks a range of nasal sprays, which contain different corticosteroids, including Flixonase (fluticasone propionate), Nasonex (mometasone furoate) and Beclometasone nasal sprays.

Antihistamine nasal sprays like Dymista are also available.

Medication is also available in the form of tablets and liquids. Antihistamine medicines work to swiftly and effectively block your body’s histamine from aggravating your hay fever. We sell some of the most renowned antihistamines available in the UK, such as Chlorphenamine and Loratadine. These can be bought after completing an online consultation.

Rhinocort Nasal Spray Indications and Dose

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Rhinocort nasal spray.

The recommended dose for adults is two sprays into each nostril in the morning. However, in some cases your doctor may instruct you to use one spray into each nostril each morning and evening.

As your symptoms improve, your doctor may reduce the dose.

Try to use Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray regularly, ideally before coming into contact with allergy triggers.

How to use Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray

1. Blow your nose.
2. Shake the bottle and remove the protective cap.
3. Insert the tip of the nasal spray's nozzle into your nostril, directing the nozzle to the side of your nose.
4. Use one or two sprays, depending on the instructions your doctor has given you. You do not need to breathe in at the same time as you use the spray.
5. Use the spray in the other nostril in exactly the same way.
6. Use a tissue to wipe the nozzle clean, then replace the protective cap.

Read the patient information leaflet for full instructions on how to use Rhinocort Aqua.

Rhinocort Nasal Spray Side Effects

Common side effects of using this product may affect 1 in 10 people and include:

• Nosebleeds
• Nasal irritation, such as a stinging sensation, dry nose or sneezing straight after using the spray

Rare side effects may include:

• Change in voice
• Blurred vision
• Slowed growth rate in children and adolescents
• Nasal ulcers
• Perforation of the nasal septum
• Bruising

In unknown frequencies, some people have also reported glaucoma and cataracts as side effects of Rhinocort.

Talk to your doctor immediately if you experience blurred vision or any other visual problems, or any signs of an infection.

Always read the patient information leaflet for comprehensive information on side effects.

Rhinocort Nasal Spray Warnings

Before using Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray, make sure you tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are already taking any other medicines. This includes prescription or non-prescription medication, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

It is particularly important that they are aware if you are taking any of the medicines listed below:

• Any HIV medicines
• Any oestrogens, such as the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• You have just stopped taking any corticosteroid tablets
• Any antibiotics
• Any other corticosteroid medicines, including asthma inhalers, eczema cream, injections, tablets, nasal sprays, eye or nose drops
• Any medicines to treat fungal infections

See here for more information on medicines that interact with Rhinocort nasal spray.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Please talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using this nasal spray if:

• You are currently pregnant
• You are currently breastfeeding
• You are trying to get pregnant
• You think you might be pregnant

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you become pregnant while using this treatment.

There is more helpful information on how to treat allergic rhinitis during pregnancy available on the BUMPS website .

Rhinocort Nasal Spray Ingredients

This nasal spray contains the active ingredient budesonide.

The inactive ingredients in this medicine are: disodium edetate, potassium sorbate (E202), glucose (anhydrous), microcrystalline cellulose (E460), carboxymethylcellulose sodium (E466), polysorbate 80 (E433), hydrochloric acid and purified water.