Generic Rhinocort

Common use

Rhinocort is a medicine used to prevent and relieve hayfever. It is a corticosteroid with the active ingredient budesonide. It is used to treat and control the range of hayfever symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, eye symptoms and nasal blockage, it works by reducing and controlling the inflammation caused by nasal blockage and other symptoms of hayfever.



Dosage and directions

Start taking Rhinocort Hayfever 1-2 weeks before you are exposed to allergens. It can prevent hayfever symptoms from developing.

It should be taken daily to prevent and treat hayfever symptoms. The initial dose is 4 sprays into each nostril daily. You can take this dose all in the morning, or you can take 2 sprays int each nostril in the morning and evening.

After your symptoms have improved you may gradually reduce the dosage: 1-2 sprays in each nostril in the morning.

Visit your doctor if your symptoms are not improved within 7 days.



Precautions

Before taking Rhinocort tell your doctor about all the conditions you may have, especially if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are taking any medicines prescribed and not prescribed, herbal products or dietary supplement, if you have nasal, sinus or chest infection, recent injury or surgery to your nose, open sores in your nose, severe nasal congestion or obstruction, tuberculosis (TB).



Contraindications

Do not take Rhinocort if you have allergy to any of its components or you are taking mifepristone.



Possible side effects

The most common possible side effects of Rhinocort are headache dizziness, tiredness, sneezing after spraying or irritated nose, nose bleeds, nasal crust, dry nose or mouth, itching or sore throat, cough,increased amount of sputum.

Severe side effects include: swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, severe rash, an ulcer (open wound) in your nose, sign or symptoms of a nasal or sinus infection such as fever, pain or swelling, or discolored nasal discharges.



Drug interaction

Tell you doctor about all the medicines prescribed and not prescribed you may take especially about:

*other corticosteroid medicines, such as tablets, asthma inhalers, nasal sprays, or eye/nose drops.

*medicines used to treat fungal infections (eg ketoconazole, itraconazole)

*cimetidine, a medicine used to treat reflux and stomach ulcers

*some antibiotic medicines (including erythromycin, clarithromycin).



Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Rhinocort Hayfever, use it as soon as you remember. Do not use a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.



Overdose

Symptoms of overdose of Rhinocort are body discomfort; depression; difficulty breathing; dizziness; exhaustion; fainting; joint pain; loss of appetite; muscle aches; nausea. Seek medical urgent help if you experience one of them.



Storage

Store Rhinocort in the container, tightly closed, at room temperature, away from heat and moisture and out of reach of children. After opening the aluminum pouch, use Rhinocort within 6 months.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)