CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Epistaxis - Management
Basis for recommendation
Nasal cautery
Topical treatments
- CKS found no evidence on the use of topical treatments on their own for the treatment of acute epistaxis. Low-quality evidence on the use of topical treatments for recurrent epistaxis is inconclusive.
- The recommendation to use Naseptin® antiseptic cream after nasal cautery is based on expert opinion [Crown and Criner, 2004]. The suggested dose regimen is from the manufacturer's Summary of Product Characteristics [ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2009].
- Mupirocin nasal ointment is not recommended as first-line treatment because experts suggest it is generally held in reserve for the elimination of staphylococci in resistant cases [BNF 59, 2010]. The suggested dose regimen is from the manufacturer's Summary of Product Characteristics [ABPI Medicines Compendium, 2010].
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement