AVANCORT DUO 137/50 micrograms/application nasal spray suspension

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Avancort Duo 137 micrograms/50 micrograms/dose nasal spray suspension

azelastine hydrochloride / fluticasone propionate

Read this package leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine, because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this package leaflet, you may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this package leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the package leaflet

1. What is Avancort Duo and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you use Avancort Duo
3. How to use Avancort Duo
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Avancort Duo
6. Contents of the pack and further information

1. What is Avancort Duo and what is it used for

Avancort Duo contains two active substances: azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate.

• Azelastine hydrochloride belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines. Antihistamines work by preventing the effects of substances such as histamine, which is produced by the body as part of an allergic reaction; this reduces the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
• Fluticasone propionate belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation.

This medicine is used to relieve the symptoms of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis, if treatment with an antihistamine or intranasal corticosteroid alone is considered insufficient.

Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis are allergic reactions to substances such as pollen (hay fever), house dust mites, molds, dust, or domestic animals.

This medicine relieves the symptoms of allergies, such as: runny nose, postnasal drip, sneezing, itching, or nasal congestion.

2. What you need to know before you use Avancort Duo

Do not use Avancort Duo

• If you are allergic to azelastine hydrochloride or fluticasone propionate, or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start using this medicine if:

• You have recently had nasal surgery.
• You have a nasal infection. Nasal infections should be treated with antibiotics or antifungals. If you have been given medication for a nasal infection, you can continue using this medicine to treat your allergy.
• You have tuberculosis or an untreated infection.
• You have changes in vision or a history of increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, and/or cataracts. If you have any of these conditions, you will be closely monitored during the use of this medicine.
• You have impaired adrenal function. Caution should be exercised when switching from systemic steroid treatment to this medicine.
• You have severe liver disease. The risk of systemic side effects will increase.

In these cases, your doctor will decide whether you can use this medicine:

It is important that you take the dose indicated in section 3 or the dose indicated by your doctor. Treatment with higher doses of nasal corticosteroids than recommended may lead to adrenal suppression, which can cause weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, low blood sugar levels, salt craving, joint pain, depression, and skin darkening. If you experience any of these side effects, your doctor may recommend another medicine during periods of stress or elective surgery.

To avoid adrenal suppression, your doctor will advise you to take the lowest dose that maintains effective control of your rhinitis symptoms.

The use of nasal corticosteroids (such as this medicine) may cause slower growth in children and adolescents when used for a long time. The doctor will regularly check the growth of children and ensure that they take the lowest effective dose possible.

Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.

If you are not sure if you are in any of the above situations, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

Children

This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age.

Other medicines and Avancort Duo

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription.

Some medicines may increase the effects of this medicine, so your doctor will monitor you closely if you are taking these medicines (including some for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat, and medicines for the treatment of fungal infections: ketoconazole).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.

Driving and using machines

This medicine has a minimal influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Very rarely, you may experience fatigue or dizziness due to the disease itself or during the use of this medicine. In these cases, do not drive or operate machinery. Note that alcohol consumption may enhance these effects.

Avancort Duo contains benzalkonium chloride

This medicine contains 0.014 mg of benzalkonium chloride per application.

Benzalkonium chloride may cause irritation or inflammation inside the nose, especially when used for long-term treatment.

3. How to use Avancort Duo

Follow the instructions for administration of this medicine exactly as indicated by your doctor. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

It is essential that the use of this medicine is regular for the therapeutic benefit to be complete.

Avoid contact with the eyes.

Adults and adolescents (over 12 years of age)

• The recommended dose is one application in each nostril, in the morning and in the evening.

Use in children under 12 years of age

• This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age.

Use in case of renal and hepatic insufficiency

There are no data available in patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency.

Method of administration

Nasal route.

Read the following instructions carefully and use the product only as indicated.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

Preparation of the spray

1. Shake the bottle gently for 5 seconds, tilting it from top to bottom, and then remove the protective cap (see figure 1).

Figure 1

1. The first time you use the nasal spray, you need to prime the pump by spraying into the air.
2. Prime the pump by placing two fingers on either side of the spray pump and placing your thumb on the base of the bottle.
3. Pump and release the pump 6 times, until a fine spray appears (see figure 2).
4. Now, the pump is primed and ready to use.

Figure 2

1. If you have not used the nasal spray for more than 7 days, you will need to re-prime the pump by pressing and releasing it.

Method of spraying

1. Shake the bottle gently for 5 seconds, tilting it from top to bottom, and then remove the protective cap (see figure 1).
2. Blow your nose to clear your nostrils.
3. Keep your head tilted forward. Do not tilt your head back.
4. Keep the bottle upright and carefully insert the tip of the spray pump into one nostril. 5. Close the other nostril with your finger, pump quickly once, and at the same time, breathe in gently (see figure 3).

1. Breathe through your mouth.

Figure 3

1. Repeat the operation in the other nostril.
2. Breathe gently and do not tilt your head back after application. This will prevent the medicine from reaching your throat, causing an unpleasant taste (see figure 4).

Figure 4

1. After each use, clean the tip of the spray pump with a tissue or a clean cloth, and replace the protective cap.
2. Do not poke the nozzle in case the spray does not come out. Clean the valve with water. It is important that you use the prescribed dose. Use only the amount recommended by your doctor.

Duration of treatment

This medicine is suitable for long-term use. The duration of treatment corresponds to the period during which you experience allergic symptoms.

If you use more Avancort Duo than you should

If you apply more of this medicine to your nose than you should, it is unlikely that you will have any problems.

If you are unsure, or if you have used a higher dose than recommended for a long time, talk to your doctor.

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount ingested.

If you forget to use Avancort Duo

Use the nasal spray as soon as you remember, and then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.

If you stop using Avancort Duo

Do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor, as this may put your treatment at risk.

If you have any other questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• Nasal bleeding.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Headache.
• Bitter taste in the mouth, especially if you tilt your head back during the use of the nasal spray. This taste should disappear if you drink a soft drink a few minutes after using this medicine.
• Unpleasant smell.

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Mild irritation of the inside of the nose, which can cause mild itching, sneezing, or stinging.
• Nasal dryness, cough, dry throat, or throat irritation.

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Dry mouth.

Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

• Dizziness or drowsiness.
• Cataracts, glaucoma, or increased pressure in the eye, with possible loss of vision and/or redness and eye pain. These side effects have been observed with prolonged treatment with fluticasone propionate nasal sprays.
• Skin and mucous membrane lesions of the nose.
• Feeling unwell, tiredness, exhaustion, or weakness.
• Rash, redness, or itching of the skin, hives.
• Bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in the lungs).

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, which may make swallowing or breathing difficult, and sudden appearance of a rash on the skin. These could be signs of a severe allergic reaction. Note that this is very rare.

Side effects with unknown frequency (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

• Blurred vision
• Nasal ulcers

When this medicine is administered at high doses for a prolonged period, systemic side effects (side effects that affect the whole body) may occur. The likelihood of these effects is much lower if a nasal corticosteroid spray is used instead of oral corticosteroids. These effects may vary between individual patients and between different corticosteroid preparations (see section 2).

Corticosteroid nasal sprays may affect the normal production of hormones in your body, especially if they are used at high doses for a long time. In children and adolescents, this side effect may cause slower growth.

In rare cases, a reduction in bone density (osteoporosis) may occur when corticosteroids are administered nasally for a long period.

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Avancort Duo

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle and carton after “EXP”. The expiry date is the last day of the month shown.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions. Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Shelf life after opening: Discard any unused medicine 6 months after first opening the nasal spray.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and further information

Composition of Avancort Duo

The active substances are: azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate. Each gram of suspension contains 1,000 micrograms of azelastine hydrochloride and 365 micrograms of fluticasone propionate.

Each application (0.14 g) delivers 137 micrograms of azelastine hydrochloride (= 125 micrograms of azelastine) and 50 micrograms of fluticasone propionate.

The other ingredients (excipients) are: disodium edetate, glycerol (E-422), microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carmellose, polysorbate 80, benzalkonium chloride, phenylethyl alcohol, and purified water.

Appearance of the product and pack contents

Avancort Duo is a homogeneous white suspension.

Avancort Duo is presented in a Type I amber glass bottle, equipped with a spray pump, a nasal applicator made of polypropylene (actuator), and a dust protective cap, containing 23 g (at least 120 applications) of suspension.

Pack size:

One bottle with 23 g of suspension in a 25 ml bottle (at least 120 applications).

Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer

Marketing authorisation holder

Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A.

Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Polígono Industrial Areta

31620 Huarte (Navarra) – Spain

Manufacturer

ELPEN Pharmaceutical Co Inc.

Marathonos Avenue, 95, Pikermi

19009, Greece

or

Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A.

Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Polígono Industrial Areta

31620 Huarte (Navarra) – Spain

Date of last revision of this package leaflet: April 2025

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) (http://www.aemps.gob.es/)

You can access detailed and up-to-date information about this medicine by scanning the QR code included in the package leaflet and carton with your smartphone. You can also access this information at the following internet address:

https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/90298/P_90298.html

QR code to: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/90298/P_90298.html