Veramyst™ (
fluticasone furoate nasal spray) is a prescription medication approved to treat sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and nasal itching due to
allergies (known medically as allergic rhinitis) in adults and children as young as two years old. Veramyst can be used to treat both seasonal allergies and allergies that occur all year long (known as perennial allergies).
Veramyst 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.
Veramyst 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 Veramyst is a nasal spray, its effects are generally limited to the nose. This helps prevent many of the long-term side effects of steroids.
Veramyst has been evaluated in several different studies for treating nasal
allergies. In these studies, Veramyst helped reduce nasal
allergy symptoms, including runny nose, nasal stuffiness, itching, and sneezing. Additionally, Veramyst is the first prescription nasal spray that has been shown in studies to improve eye allergy symptoms, such as itching, redness, and wateriness.
When and How to Take Veramyst
Some general considerations for when and how to take Veramyst include the following:
- Veramyst comes in nasal spray form. It is usually used once a day.
- Be sure to shake your Veramyst bottle well before each use.
- Blow your nose before each Veramyst dose. Breathe in gently while spraying Veramyst into your nose. Do not try to inhale the Veramyst spray or breathe in too deeply, as the drug 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 Veramyst 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. Veramyst will not work if you stop taking it.
Veramyst Dosing Information
The dose of Veramyst 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 Veramyst dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Veramyst. 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 Veramyst include, but are not limited to:
(Click Veramyst Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Veramyst
Veramyst: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Veramyst 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
- Glaucoma or cataracts
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
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 of Veramyst?
In most instances, a Veramyst 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 Veramyst over a long period of time may cause problems.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Veramyst?
If you forget to take your Veramyst 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 Veramyst.
Veramyst comes in one strength -- Veramyst nasal spray, containing 120 sprays in each bottle, with 27.5 mcg of Veramyst in each spray.
Is There a Generic Version of Veramyst?
Currently, there is no generic Veramyst licensed for sale.
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