The National Asthma Council Australia has extended its online series of instructional 'how to' videos today with the launch of its video, Using Your Nasal Inhaler.

The new video equips health professionals and allergic rhinitis patients with simple instructions on how best to administer intranasal corticosteroid sprays - and reduce the chance of causing nosebleeds.

Accessible for free on the Council's website, the online video demonstrates the correct technique for the three most commonly used intranasal corticosteroid spray inhalers on the market: Nasonex, Rhinocort and Avamys.

Each short clip features asthma educator, Marg Gordon, carefully demonstrating the correct technique with an adult patient. The video also includes captions to reinforce the right steps.

To coincide with the launch of the online video, the Council has also developed an accompanying information paper for health professionals, Intranasal corticosteroid spray technique for people with allergic rhinitis, to provide doctors, practice nurses and pharmacists with a summary of supporting evidence, key messages for patients and details of the most common usage errors to avoid.

For example, nosebleeds which are the most commonly reported adverse effect of intranasal corticosteroid sprays tend to be the result poor positioning of the device, rather than an adverse reaction to the medication.

Other common mistakes detailed in the information paper include:

- forgetting to prime the spray device;
- skipping doses;
- wrong head position (should be tilted forward, not back);
- pushing nozzle too hard or far into the nose;
- blowing nose hard after spraying (the medicine is lost);
- sniffing hard after spraying (the medicine is deposited in the throat instead of the nose); and
- using saline sprays or irrigations after using corticosteroid spray, instead of before.

The production of the video was jointly funded by AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and MSD Australia. The National Asthma Council Australia retained editorial control and produced the resource in consultation with an expert advisory panel comprising an ear, nose and throat surgeon; allergist and immunologist; pharmacist and general practitioner.

Source:
National Asthma Council Australia

View drug information on Nasonex Nasal Spray; Rhinocort Aqua Nasal Spray.