Avamys

How to order Avamys

1. Find the drug you need on our site.
2. Pick a clinic. See the price.
3. Fill in a short health form.
4. A doctor reads your form.
5. If it is safe for you, they say yes.
6. Your order ships fast to your door.
7. It comes in a plain, sealed box.

Why use us? We compare UK clinics. We show you the price and how fast they ship. We do not sell drugs. We just help you find the best one for you.

Is it safe? Yes. All our clinics are UK-based. A real doctor reads each form. They will not sell to you if it is not safe for you.

Avamys on Prescriptsy

Avamys is described on Prescriptsy as independent product information.

Here you can understand how online consultation works, what medical checks partner clinics carry out, and which factors matter when comparing providers.

We do not sell medicines directly, but help users compare licensed healthcare partners on price, delivery speed, service quality, and overall trustworthiness.

Avamys is a prescription nasal spray containing fluticasone furoate, an advanced intranasal corticosteroid used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in adults and children aged 6 years and over.

Fluticasone furoate belongs to the corticosteroid class and works by reducing the inflammatory response in the nasal mucosa that causes the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: nasal congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhoea (runny nose), and nasal itching.

Avamys provides effective 24-hour symptom control with convenient once-daily dosing.

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United Kingdom, affecting an estimated 10 to 30% of the adult population and up to 40% of children.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is triggered primarily by grass, tree and weed pollens, while perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by year-round allergens including house dust mites, pet dander, and mould spores.

The condition significantly impairs quality of life, disrupts sleep, affects work and school performance, and frequently coexists with asthma.

NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries recommend intranasal corticosteroids as the most effective pharmacotherapy for moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis.

This product information has been reviewed by Dr.

Claire Phipps, MBBS MRCGP (GMC 7014359), and provides a comprehensive clinical overview of Avamys covering its pharmacology, indications, correct usage technique, side effects, safety warnings and practical guidance for patients in the UK.

Essential safety information about Avamys

Avamys should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration needed to control symptoms.

While systemic corticosteroid effects are extremely unlikely at recommended nasal spray doses, the total corticosteroid burden from all routes should be considered. Three key safety points:

• If you are taking ritonavir, cobicistat, ketoconazole, or itraconazole, inform your prescriber before using Avamys, these medicines can increase systemic fluticasone exposure significantly, potentially causing adrenal suppression
• Children on long-term intranasal corticosteroid treatment should have their height monitored regularly to ensure normal growth
• If you have had recent nasal surgery, a nasal injury, or nasal ulcers, do not use Avamys until healing is complete

Avamys is a prescription-only medicine (POM) when prescribed for children or by a GP.

Fluticasone furoate nasal spray is also available over the counter (OTC) for adults with a previous diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, under pharmacist supervision.

Always read the patient information leaflet and use the spray as directed.

How Avamys works

Fluticasone furoate is a synthetic trifluorinated corticosteroid with potent anti-inflammatory properties.

It has an enhanced affinity for the glucocorticoid receptor compared with older intranasal corticosteroids such as beclometasone and budesonide.

When applied to the nasal mucosa, fluticasone furoate binds to intracellular glucocorticoid receptors and modulates gene transcription, suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and mediators including histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

This anti-inflammatory action reduces mucosal oedema (swelling), decreases vascular permeability (leakage), inhibits inflammatory cell infiltration (eosinophils, mast cells, lymphocytes), and suppresses mucus gland hypersecretion.

The clinical result is relief from nasal congestion, sneezing, nasal discharge, and itching.

Fluticasone furoate also provides some relief from associated ocular symptoms (itchy, watery eyes) in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, possibly through reduction of the naso-ocular reflex.

The pharmacokinetic profile of fluticasone furoate favours local nasal activity with minimal systemic effects.

The drug undergoes extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4, resulting in negligible oral bioavailability (less than 0.5%). The fraction absorbed through the nasal mucosa is also rapidly metabolised.

At the recommended dose of 110 micrograms daily, plasma concentrations are typically undetectable or at the lower limit of quantification.

This accounts for the excellent systemic safety profile at therapeutic doses.

Who should use Avamys

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

Avamys is highly effective for the management of hay fever symptoms caused by grass pollen (the predominant UK allergen, peaking May to July), tree pollen (February to May), and weed pollen (June to September).

For patients with predictable seasonal symptoms, starting Avamys 1-2 weeks before the expected onset of the pollen season provides optimal symptom control from the outset.

NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries recommend intranasal corticosteroids for patients with moderate-to-severe seasonal symptoms, particularly when nasal congestion is the predominant complaint, as oral antihistamines are less effective against nasal blockage.

Perennial allergic rhinitis

Year-round allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mites, pet allergens (cat, dog), cockroach allergens, and mould spores responds well to regular intranasal corticosteroid therapy.

Avamys can be used continuously for perennial symptoms, with periodic reassessment of ongoing need.

Allergen avoidance measures (encasing mattresses and pillows, regular vacuuming with HEPA filters, reducing humidity) should be implemented alongside pharmacotherapy where possible.

Mixed rhinitis

Many patients have a combination of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis triggers. Avamys addresses the inflammatory component regardless of the specific trigger.

Patients who have tried antihistamines alone without adequate relief may find that adding or switching to an intranasal corticosteroid provides substantially better symptom control, particularly for nasal congestion.

How to use Avamys correctly

Correct technique is essential for Avamys to work effectively. Follow these steps for each application:

1. Shake the bottle gently for several seconds. If using for the first time or after 30 or more days without use, prime by pressing the button until a fine mist appears (usually 6 presses).
2. Blow your nose gently to clear the nasal passages.
3. Tilt your head slightly forward and look down towards your toes.
4. Insert the nozzle into one nostril, keeping the bottle upright. Aim the nozzle towards the outer wall of your nostril (away from the central nasal septum). This reduces the risk of nosebleeds and irritation.
5. Press the button once while breathing in gently through your nose. Do not sniff hard.
6. Breathe out through your mouth.
7. Repeat in the other nostril.
8. Wipe the nozzle tip with a clean, dry tissue and replace the cap.

Do not tilt your head back or spray directly onto the nasal septum (the central partition between the nostrils). Do not blow your nose immediately after spraying.

Use Avamys at the same time each day for consistent coverage.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue with your normal schedule the next day. Do not use a double dose.

Side effects of Avamys

Common side effects

The most frequently reported side effect is epistaxis (nosebleed), which affects up to 1 in 10 adult users.

Nosebleeds are typically minor and more common with prolonged use or during winter months when nasal mucosa is drier. Other common effects include:

• Headache (very common in clinical trials, though also common with placebo)
• Nasal dryness, burning, or irritation
• Unpleasant taste or smell sensation

Uncommon and rare side effects

Nasal ulceration occurs uncommonly (affecting up to 1 in 100 users). If you notice sores inside your nose, stop using Avamys and consult your GP.

Nasal septal perforation (a hole developing in the septum) is a very rare but recognised risk with all intranasal corticosteroids; correct spray technique (aiming away from the septum) minimises this risk.

Hypersensitivity reactions including skin rash, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis are very rare.

Seek emergency medical help (call 999) if you experience facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or widespread rash after using Avamys.

Systemic corticosteroid effects such as adrenal suppression, growth retardation in children, glaucoma, cataracts, and bone density reduction are theoretically possible but extremely unlikely at recommended intranasal doses due to the negligible systemic bioavailability of fluticasone furoate.

These risks become relevant only if the patient is receiving substantial corticosteroid doses by other routes simultaneously (for example, high-dose inhaled corticosteroid for asthma plus nasal spray plus topical steroid cream).

Report suspected side effects via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk .

Warnings, contraindications and drug interactions

Avamys is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to fluticasone furoate or any excipient in the formulation. The most clinically important drug interaction is with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors:

• Ritonavir and cobicistat (HIV protease inhibitor boosters): concurrent use with intranasal fluticasone has caused iatrogenic Cushing syndrome and adrenal suppression, avoid co-administration unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk
• Ketoconazole and itraconazole (systemic azole antifungals): may increase systemic fluticasone exposure, caution advised
• Other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone): theoretical interaction risk, though clinical significance at nasal spray doses is less certain

Patients transferring from systemic corticosteroids to intranasal therapy should be monitored for adrenal insufficiency. Nasal surgery, injury, or active nasal ulceration are relative contraindications until healing is complete.

In children receiving long-term treatment, regular height measurements should be performed by the GP or school nurse.

Avamys in pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is limited data on the use of fluticasone furoate nasal spray in pregnancy.

Animal studies at high systemic doses showed effects typical of corticosteroids, but intranasal doses in humans result in negligible systemic exposure.

NICE and the BNF advise that intranasal corticosteroids may be used in pregnancy when the benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk.

Beclometasone nasal spray has the longest safety record in pregnancy and may be preferred if the prescriber wishes to minimise theoretical risk. Discuss with your GP or midwife.

It is not known whether fluticasone furoate passes into human breast milk at intranasal doses.

Given the negligible systemic absorption, the amount reaching breast milk is expected to be clinically insignificant.

The BNF states that intranasal corticosteroids are unlikely to cause harm in breastfed infants when used at recommended doses.

Discuss with your GP or health visitor if you have concerns.

Practical information for UK patients

Avamys is dispensed on NHS prescription. In England, the standard prescription charge is 9.90 pounds per item.

Each bottle contains 120 actuations (sprays), which lasts approximately 30 days at the full adult dose (2 sprays per nostril daily) or 60 days at the maintenance dose (1 spray per nostril daily).

Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. A Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) is available if you need multiple regular prescriptions in England.

Fluticasone furoate nasal spray is also available over the counter (OTC) from pharmacies under the supervision of a pharmacist.

The OTC version is for adults aged 18 and over who have been previously diagnosed with allergic rhinitis by a doctor.

The pharmacist will ask a few screening questions before supply. OTC pricing is typically 8-15 pounds per bottle depending on the pharmacy.

Storage: keep below 30 degrees Celsius, upright, with the cap on. Do not freeze. Use within 2 months of first opening. Keep out of reach of children. Return unused or expired spray bottles to your pharmacy for safe disposal.

Sources and further reading

• Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), Avamys SmPC: medicines.org.uk/emc
• British National Formulary (BNF), Fluticasone furoate nasal: bnf.nice.org.uk
• NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary, Allergic rhinitis: cks.nice.org.uk/topics/allergic-rhinitis
• NHS, Hay fever: nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever
• Allergy UK: allergyuk.org
• MHRA Yellow Card Scheme: yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk