Flonase
® (
fluticasone propionate nasal spray) is a prescription medication approved to treat sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and nasal itching (known medically as rhinitis). It is approved to treat these symptoms due to either
allergies (known as allergic rhinitis) or other causes (known as non-allergic rhinitis).
Flonase is made by GlaxoSmithKline.
Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance -- one that does not bother most people.
These immune system reactions are known as inflammation, and they involve several different types of cells and several different chemicals in the body.
Flonase is a corticosteroid, or simply "steroid" for short. Steroids can have many different effects in the body, including anti-inflammatory effects. Steroids decrease inflammation by limiting the body's ability to produce an immune system reaction. They can be very effective for treating conditions such as allergies. However, long-term use of steroids can cause bothersome and sometimes serious side effects, and this limits the usefulness of many steroids. Because Flonase is a nasal spray, its effects are generally limited to the nose. This helps prevent many of the long-term side effects of steroids.
It is not know exactly how the medication works for non-allergic rhinitis.
Flonase has been evaluated in several different studies for treating nasal
allergies. In these studies, it helped reduce a runny nose, nasal stuffiness, itching, and sneezing. While most people take it every day, studies also showed that the drug was effective when used only when needed (only on days when symptoms occurred). This is important because it usually takes steroids (like Flonase) awhile to start working, and it was unclear whether steroids would be effective if not taken every day.
Studies have also shown that it is effective for treating non-allergic rhinitis (nasal symptoms not caused by allergies).
When and How to Take Flonase
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- Flonase comes in nasal spray form. It is usually taken once or twice a day.
- Be sure to shake the bottle well before each use.
- Blow your nose before each dose. Breathe in gently while spraying it into your nose. Do not try to inhale the spray or breathe in too deeply, as Flonase works when it comes in contact with the inside surfaces of the nose (not the throat or lungs).
- Avoid aiming the spray toward the wall that separates your nostrils (in the middle of your nose, called the nasal septum). Spraying Flonase toward the nasal septum increases the risk of nosebleeds. Some people find it easiest to avoid this by holding the bottle in the opposite hand (by using the right hand to spray into the left nostril, and vice versa).
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Flonase. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects of Flonase include, but are not limited to:
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Nosebleeds
- Nasal burning or irritation.
(Click Flonase Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Flonase
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Flonase if you have:
- Recently had nasal surgery
- Sores or injury to the inside of your nose
- Not had chickenpox or the measles (or have not been vaccinated against them)
- Tuberculosis, herpes, or any other infections
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
In most instances, a Flonase overdose is unlikely to cause serious problems. Even using an entire bottle at once is not likely to cause serious overdose symptoms. However, using too much Flonase over a long period of time may cause problems.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your Flonase dose, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of Flonase.
Flonase comes in one strength -- Flonase nasal spray, containing 120 sprays in each bottle, with 50 mcg of Flonase in each spray.
Is There a Generic Version of Flonase?
Currently, both brand-name and generic versions of Flonase are licensed for sale.
