Key takeaways
Flonase (fluticasone) and Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are both used to treat allergy symptoms, but they have several differences. Flonase is a corticosteroid nasal spray that reduces inflammation in your nose to relieve symptoms like congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. It is available both by prescription and over-the-counter (OTC). You need to use it daily for the best results, but you shouldn't use it for more than 6 months without talking to your healthcare professional (HCP). On the other hand, Benadryl is an antihistamine that blocks the action of histamine, a chemical in your body that causes sneezing, itching, and runny nose. Benadryl is also available OTC and can be taken orally. Benadryl can make you very sleepy, so it is sometimes used as a sleep aid. However, it should only be used for short-term relief for allergy or cold symptoms and not for more than 2 weeks for sleep issues. While Flonase is generally safe for children as young as 2 years old (depending on the formulation), Benadryl should not be used for sleep in children under 12 years old. Both medications have side effects, but Flonase can cause nosebleeds and slow growth in children if used long-term, while Benadryl can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth. People 65 years and older should typically avoid Benadryl because they can experience more side effects.
