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Overview: Omnaris is a steroid nasal spray used to treat allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, runny nose, and sneezing. Common side effects include headaches, nosebleeds, and a sore throat. Serious side effects, which are less common, can include nasal problems, eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma, or infections. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice any vision changes, easy bleeding or bruising, or if you think you have an infection while using Omnaris.

Uses

What is Omnaris used for?

Omnaris is commonly used to treat allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy nose, or sneezing.

Omnaris may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Omnaris work (mechanism of action)?

Omnaris is a corticosteroid. It reduces inflammation in your nasal passages, which helps reduce allergy symptoms.

How is Omnaris supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Omnaris

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 50 mcg per nasal spray

How should I store Omnaris?

Omnaris should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place.

Only open the foil pouch when you are ready to use Omnaris. Throw away Omnaris four months after opening the foil pouch or when the indicator reaches zero (0), whichever comes first.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Omnaris?

The most common side effects of Omnaris are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Nosebleeds
  • Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
  • Ear or throat pain
  • Dizziness

There may be other side effects of Omnaris that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Omnaris?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Omnaris are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Omnaris may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Omnaris and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Nasal Problems. Omnaris may cause severe problems with your nasal passages, such as sores in your nose (nasal ulceration) and nasal septal perforation, which is a hole in the cartilage that separates your nostrils. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of nasal problems.

  • Crusting in your nose
  • Nosebleeds
  • Runny nose
  • Whistling sound when you breathe

Eye Problems. Omnaris may increase pressure inside the eye and cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma, which can lead to blindness. It can also cause cataracts (clouding of the eye lens). It is important to have regular eye exams while using Omnaris. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of glaucoma or cataracts.

  • Loss of vision or vision changes
  • Eye pain or redness
  • Severe headache or vomiting
  • Vision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy
  • Seeing bright, colorful circles around lights (vision halos)

Infections. Omnaris can increase your risk of infections, including serious infections. Call your health care provider right away if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.

  • Burning or stinging when you pee 
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Weight loss
  • White patches or redness in your nose or throat

Increased Stress Hormone (Hypercorticism). Long-term use of Omnaris can lead to hypercorticism, a condition when your body has too much stress hormone, also called cortisol. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of increased stress hormone.

  • Acne
  • Easy or frequent bruising
  • More or thicker hair on your body and face
  • Rounded or moon-like face 
  • Ankle swelling
  • Hump or a fatty pad between your shoulders 
  • Stretch marks on your stomach, thighs, breasts, or arms

Reduced Adrenal Function. Long-term use of Omnaris can cause your body’s adrenal glands to stop making as much cortisol (the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency. This is especially a concern if you have been taking a corticosteroid by mouth, such as prednisone, and you stop it and switch to Omnaris. Adrenal insufficiency can get worse if your body is under stress because of fever, surgery, or trauma. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy
  • Low blood pressure

Slowed Growth in Children. Omnaris may slow down growth in children and adolescents who are still growing. Talk with their health care provider if you have any concerns about how your child is growing.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Omnaris?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Omnaris.

  • Omnaris
  • Ciclesonide
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Omnaris.

What should I know about Omnaris before using it?

Do not use Omnaris unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Ask your pharmacist or other health care provider to show you how to correctly use, prime, and clean Omnaris. Follow the “Instructions for Use” that come with it. For best results, use Omnaris regularly, as prescribed.

Do not share Omnaris with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Omnaris out of the reach of children.

Omnaris is only for use in your nose. Do not spray it into your eyes or mouth.

Avoid spraying it directly on the wall between your two nostrils (nasal septum). This helps get more of the medicine where it needs to be so it can work well.

Shake Omnaris gently before each use. This helps to make sure you get the right amount of medicine each time.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Omnaris?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Omnaris is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Nose sores (nasal ulcers), nasal surgery, or an injury to your nose
  • Eye or vision problems, such as blurry vision, cataracts, or glaucoma
  • Have not had or had the vaccine for chickenpox or measles
  • Have been near someone who has chickenpox or measles
  • Tuberculosis
  • Immune system problems
  • Current infections that have not been treated, including a herpes eye infection

Other Medicines and Supplements. Omnaris may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Omnaris, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Omnaris could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Omnaris passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Omnaris while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Omnaris?

For more information about Omnaris, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.covispharma.com or call the drugmaker at 866-488-4423.

Interactions

Does Omnaris interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Omnaris and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Omnaris. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Omnaris.

Does Omnaris interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Omnaris.

  • A medicine for HIV or AIDS
  • Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), fluconazole (Diflucan), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Omnaris. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Omnaris. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Omnaris?

If you or someone else has used too much Omnaris, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Omnaris?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.