How does budesonide nasal spray work?
Budesonide nasal spray is a corticosteroid, or steroid medicine.
It works by reducing the swelling, mucus, itching and irritation you can get in your nose when you have allergies or hay fever.
It can take a little longer to work than antihistamine sprays, but the effects last for longer.
If you're using it to treat nasal polyps, it can reduce the swelling and irritation of the lining of your nose so your polyps shrink.
When will I feel better?
When you first use budesonide nasal spray, your symptoms will not get better straight away. It takes a few days for it to start working and can take several weeks for it to reach its full effect.
If you bought the spray from a pharmacy or shop, check the leaflet that comes with it. This will tell you when to speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel no better after using the spray. This is usually after 7 to 14 days.
If you use the spray for hay fever, it's best to start using it at least a couple of weeks before the hay fever season starts. Many people notice they get symptoms around the same time each year.
If you use the spray for nasal polyps, it can take 1 to 2 months for your symptoms to improve.
Are there any long-term side effects?
Budesonide nasal spray is unlikely to have any lasting harmful effects if you follow the instructions that come with it, or use it as your doctor recommends.
However, children and teenagers need to have their height and weight monitored carefully if they're using budesonide nasal spray for a long time. This is to make sure the steroid is not affecting their growth.
The nasal spray delivers a small amount of steroid medicine exactly where you need it. This limits the amount of steroid reaching the rest of your body. It also keeps the risk of side effects as low as possible.
Do I need a steroid card?
You may need a steroid card if you're regularly using budesonide nasal spray with other steroids, such as a steroid inhaler. This can cause your adrenal glands to make less of the hormones your body needs, such as cortisol (known as the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency.
Your doctor or pharmacist will assess your risk of adrenal insufficiency based on the type and dose of steroids you're taking and may recommend that you carry a steroid emergency card (red card). This card is the size of a credit card and fits in your wallet or purse.
Will it affect my contraception?
Budesonide does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.
Can I drive or ride a bike?
For most people, using budesonide nasal spray will not affect their ability to drive a car or cycle.
Can I drink alcohol while using budesonide nasal spray?
Yes, you can drink alcohol if you're using budesonide nasal spray.