All About Xhance

What are Xhance’s indications or uses?

Xhance is used in adults to treat chronic (ongoing) sinusitis with or without nasal polyps.

Chronic sinusitis is inflammation (swelling) in your nasal passages and sinuses that lasts 12 weeks or longer. Nasal polyps are small growths (not cancerous) that line your nasal passages. They can cause or aggravate sinusitis.

Both sinusitis and nasal polyps may cause symptoms such as:

• stuffy or runny nose
• difficulty smelling
• pain around your nose, cheeks, and eyes

Xhance works to treat chronic sinusitis by reducing inflammation in your nasal passages and sinuses. If you have nasal polyps, it also helps shrink them.

What are Xhance’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Xhance may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below contain some of the more common side effects Xhance may cause, but they don’t include all the possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Xhance. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Xhance can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read Xhance’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Xhance that have been reported include:

• nosebleed
• redness on the inside of the nose
• stuffy nose
• ulcers (small sores) in the nose
• nasal dryness
• headache
• sore nose or throat
• sinus infection
• fungal infection in the nose, mouth, or throat
• weight gain

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Xhance can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Xhance, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Xhance that have been reported include:

• perforated septum (a hole in the cartilage that separates the nostrils)
• eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts
• increased risk of infection
• Cushing syndrome (a condition caused by high levels of steroid hormones)
• adrenal insufficiency (a condition in which the adrenal glands don’t make enough hormones)
• weakened bones

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Xhance can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. They can also determine whether you should keep using Xhance.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Xhance. If so, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

What is Xhance’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Xhance that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always use the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strength

Xhance comes as a nasal spray in a bottle that’s fitted inside a device. The device has a mouthpiece and a nosepiece.

Xhance is available in one strength. Each spray delivers 93 micrograms (mcg) of the active drug fluticasone propionate. One bottle of Xhance contains 120 sprays.

Recommended dosage

The recommended dosage is 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily. Your doctor will prescribe the right number of sprays for you.

How to use

Your doctor will explain how you should use Xhance. They’ll also explain your dosage, which is your dose and how often you take it. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Do not sniff the medication into your nose. Instead, spray the drug into your nostril while you blow into the mouthpiece. This action helps move Xhance deeper into your nasal passages and prevents medication from dripping down your throat. Follow these steps:

1. Insert the nosepiece tightly but gently into your nostril without blocking your other nostril.
2. Seal your lips around the mouthpiece.
3. Blow into the mouthpiece with hard, steady force (as if blowing up a balloon) while you press upward on the bottom of the device to spray the drug into your nostril.
4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 in your other nostril.

Each time you fill your prescription, you should receive detailed instructions on how to use Xhance. You can watch a step-by-step instructional video on the manufacturer’s website. Your doctor or pharmacist can also teach you how to use Xhance correctly.

Questions about using Xhance

Below are some common questions about using Xhance.

• Is there a best time of day to use Xhance? You should use Xhance in the morning and evening. It’s best to take your doses around the same times each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps Xhance work effectively.
• What if I miss a dose of Xhance? If you miss a dose of Xhance, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at its usual time. You should not double up a dose to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
• Will I need to use Xhance long term? Xhance is typically used as a long-term treatment. In studies, Xhance was used for up to 24 weeks. You and your doctor can discuss whether Xhance is working for your condition. If you both agree it’s safe and effective, your doctor can recommend how long you should use it.
• How long does Xhance take to work? Xhance may start to reduce your symptoms within 2 weeks. But for some people, it may take longer to start working.

Overdose

Do not use more Xhance than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you use too much Xhance

Call your doctor if you think you’ve used too much Xhance. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

What should be considered before using Xhance?

Below is important information you should consider before using Xhance.

Interactions

Using a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Xhance can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements and certain foods.

Before using Xhance, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Drug interactions

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Xhance. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Xhance. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Xhance and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Xhance. It’s likely safe to consume alcohol during Xhance treatment.

Other interactions

Xhance interacts with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Your doctor will likely recommend that you not consume grapefruit products during your Xhance treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Xhance is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or planning for either, talk with your doctor before starting Xhance treatment.

Birth control

If you’re able to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about whether you should use a form of birth control during your Xhance treatment.

Warnings

Xhance can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Xhance is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start treatment with Xhance. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

• recent ulcer or sore in your nose
• recent surgery or injury to your nose
• infection, especially tuberculosis or herpes infection of the eyes
• history of increased pressure in your eye, glaucoma, or cataracts
• adrenal gland problems, such as Addison’s disease
• osteoporosis or risk factors for it, such as having a family history of osteoporosis or having gone through menopause
• liver problems
• previous allergic reaction to Xhance
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

What are some frequently asked questions about Xhance?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Xhance.

What should I know about Xhance vs. Flonase?

Both Xhance and Flonase are nasal sprays that contain the active ingredient fluticasone propionate. However, they have a few differences.

Xhance is a prescription medication that’s used for chronic (ongoing) sinusitis with or without nasal polyps. Flonase Allergy Relief and Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief are over-the-counter medications that are used for hay fever and other nasal allergies. (A prescription version of Flonase used to be available for treating nasal inflammation not caused by allergies, but it was discontinued.)

Xhance’s strength and method of use differ from those of Flonase nasal sprays. You use Xhance with a device. You spray the drug into your nostril while you blow into a mouthpiece, which helps move the drug into your nasal passages. But you use Flonase by sniffing the drug into your nasal passages.

If you have other questions about how Xhance and Flonase compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Xhance come in an inhaler?

No, Xhance doesn’t come in inhaler form. Xhance comes only as a nasal spray. It comes in a bottle fitted inside a device that has a mouthpiece and a nosepiece. You use it by spraying the drug into your nostril while you blow into the mouthpiece, which helps move the drug into your nasal passages.

Certain inhaler medications are used to treat asthma and contain the active drug fluticasone propionate. Xhance contains the same active drug, but it’s not approved to treat asthma.

Xhance cost and coupons

You may wonder whether Xhance is covered by insurance or what is Xhance’s cost without insurance. What you’ll pay for Xhance may depend on several things. These include whether your health insurance (if you have it) covers Xhance, your treatment plan, and the pharmacy you use.

Whether or not you have health insurance, here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

• Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Xhance when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.)
• Generic form: Xhance is available as the generic drug fluticasone propionate. But generic fluticasone propionate nasal spray is not an exact copy of Xhance. It comes in a different strength and is used in a different way. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know whether generic fluticasone propionate nasal spray could be an option for you.
• Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A patient assistance program may also be available.

Learn more about saving on your prescriptions.