nafarelin nasal

(nah FAR eh lin)
Synarel

What is the most important information I should know about nafarelin nasal?

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It is important to use nafarelin nasal regularly to get the most benefit. If doses of nafarelin nasal are missed, symptoms of the condition being treated may return or progress. For the treatment of endometriosis, missed doses may result in breakthrough bleeding and/or ovulation, with the potential for pregnancy.

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Try not to sneeze or blow your nose just after using the spray. This may decrease the amount of medication that is absorbed by the body.

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If you develop nasal congestion during treatment with nafarelin nasal, contact your doctor about the use of a nasal decongestant. Use of a nasal decongestant spray may be recommended, however it should not be used for at least 2 hours following administration of nafarelin nasal.

What is nafarelin nasal?

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Nafarelin nasal is a man-made protein that is like a hormone in the body called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH causes the pituitary gland to release other hormones including luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH and FSH are involved in regulation of the menstrual cycle, fertility, and sexual development during puberty. Repeated stimulation of the pituitary gland by nafarelin causes a reduction in LH and FSH levels.

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Nafarelin nasal is used to treat central precocious puberty (CPP) in children and endometriosis in women who are 18 years of age or older.

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Nafarelin nasal may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using nafarelin nasal?

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Do not use nafarelin nasal without first talking to your doctor if you have

had an allergic reaction to it or to another gonadotropin-releasing hormone product such as gonadorelin (Factrel);

undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding; or

osteoporosis or a family history of osteoporosis.

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You may not be able to use nafarelin nasal, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

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Do not use nafarelin nasal if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Nafarelin nasal is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that nafarelin is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. A nonhormonal method of birth control is recommended during treatment with nafarelin nasal to ensure protection from pregnancy.

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It is not known whether nafarelin nasal passes into breast milk. Do not use nafarelin nasal without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use nafarelin nasal?

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Use nafarelin nasal exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Generally, nafarelin nasal spray is administered as follows:

Before the first use, each bottle may need to be primed. Hold the bottle in an upright position away from you. Apply pressure evenly to the "shoulders" and push down quickly and firmly until a fine spray occurs. Usually the fine spray will appear after 5 to 10 pumps. The bottle is now primed and does not need to be reprimed before each dose.

Gently blow your nose to clear any mucous. Uncap the spray bottle.

Insert the tip about 1 centimeter (one-third inch) into your nostril, pointing it straight up into the nasal canal. Block your other nostril and keep your head upright or tilted slightly forward. Apply even pressure to the "shoulders" of the unit, quickly and gently pump the unit one time and sniff gently at the same time. If more than one spray is being used per nostril, 30 seconds should pass between each spray. Remove the pump from your nose and tilt the head back slightly for a few seconds.

Clean the pump nozzle with a tissue and recap it.

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Try not to sneeze or blow your nose just after using the spray. This may decrease the amount of medication that is absorbed by the body.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with nafarelin nasal to monitor progress and side effects.

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Store nafarelin nasal at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Use the missed dose of nafarelin nasal as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of the medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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An overdose of nafarelin nasal is unlikely to threaten life. Contact your doctor or a poison control center for advice if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of a nafarelin nasal overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking nafarelin nasal?

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Try not to sneeze or blow your nose just after using the spray. This may decrease the amount of medication that is absorbed by the body.

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What are the possible side effects of nafarelin nasal?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects to nafarelin nasal, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

heavy or continued menstrual bleeding;

continuing progression of signs of puberty (in the treatment of precocious puberty);

fast or irregular heartbeats;

pelvic pain or swelling;

unexpected or excess milk flow from breasts; or

numbness or tingling of the hands or feet.

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Other less serious side effects may also occur. Notify your doctor if you experience

initial increase in breast size, menstrual bleeding, or progression of puberty (followed by a decrease in progression of puberty, in the treatment of precocious puberty);

oily skin or acne;

dandruff;

headache;

nasal irritation or runny nose;

hot flashes;

mood swings;

light and intermittent menstrual bleeding; or

increase or decrease in sexual desire.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect nafarelin nasal?

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Other medicines may also interact with nafarelin nasal. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products during treatment with nafarelin nasal.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about nafarelin nasal written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.