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Nasacort Allergy vs. Afrin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) and Afrin (oxymetazoline) are both nasal sprays, but they work differently and are used for different purposes. Nasacort is a corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation in your nose to relieve allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. It's used once daily and can be used for up to a week before talking to your healthcare professional. On the other hand, Afrin is an alpha-1 receptor agonist that tightens blood vessels in your nose to quickly relieve nasal congestion. Afrin can be used up to twice daily but should not be used for more than three days to avoid rebound congestion. Nasacort is generally safe for people with high blood pressure, while Afrin might not be suitable for those with high blood pressure or other heart conditions. Nasacort and Afrin are both available over-the-counter as brand and generic medications.

Nasacort

(triamcinolone acetonide)

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Oxymetazoline

(Afrin)

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Summary for Nasacort Allergy

Over-the-counter

Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) is a nasal spray for adults and children 2 years of age and older that helps relieve symptoms of hay fever and allergies, including sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. It's used once daily and typically lasts for 24 hours. Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) doesn't have many side effects, but you might have a temporary sore throat or cough after you use it. Nasacort (triamcinolone acetonide) is available over the counter as a brand-name and generic medication.

Indications for Nasacort Allergy

  • Hay fever and allergy symptoms (nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose)

Pros and Cons for Nasacort Allergy

Pros

  • Available as a generic, over-the-counter product
  • Used once daily and can last up to 24 hours
  • Not likely to make you sleepy
  • Small, portable spray that's easy to carry and use anywhere

Cons

  • Might take up to 1 week for some symptoms to get better
  • Might not be a good option if you have an injured nose or recently had nasal surgery
  • Might slow down the growth rate in children if used for longer than 2 months per year
  • Not meant to be used to relieve common cold symptoms

Common Side Effects for Nasacort Allergy

Adults and children 12 years or older:

  • Sore throat (5%)
  • Nose bleed (3%)
  • Cough (2%)

Children ages 4 to 12 years:

  • Flu-like symptoms (9%)
  • Cough (8%)
  • Sore throat (8%)
  • Bronchitis (3%)
  • Indigestion (3%)
  • Tooth problems (3%)

Children ages 2 to 5 years:

  • Headache (6%)
  • Sore throat (6%)
  • Nose bleed (5%)
  • Common cold symptoms (5%)
  • Stomach pain (5%)
  • Diarrhea (3%)
  • Asthma (3%)
  • Rash (3%)
  • Skin picking problem (3%)
  • Runny nose (2%)

Warnings for Nasacort Allergy

  • Nasal problems
  • Eye problems
  • Higher risk of infections
  • Slowed growth rate in children

Summary for Afrin

Over-the-counter

Oxymetazoline (Afrin) is a nasal decongestant spray. More specifically, it's an alpha-1 receptor agonist. Oxymetazoline (Afrin) is sprayed into the nostrils up to twice daily to help relieve stuffy noses. But you should avoid using it for longer than 3 days in a row because doing so can raise the risk for rebound congestion. There are oxymetazoline products for children and adults that differ in dosage, so read the label on your specific product to make sure it's appropriate for you. Some side effects of this medication might include mild burning or stinging in the nose.

Indications for Afrin

  • Short-term relief of nasal and sinus congestion and pressure

Pros and Cons for Afrin

Pros

  • Starts working within minutes and lasts for up to 12 hours
  • Typically fewer side effects than oral decongestants
  • Children's product can be used by those as young as 2 years old (check product labeling)
  • Available over the counter and as a lower-cost generic

Cons

  • Some nasal spray might drip out of nose, which can be messy
  • Can't use longer than 3 days due to rebound congestion
  • Might not be a good choice for people with high blood pressure
  • Not recommended during pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Afrin

  • Burning in the nose
  • Stinging in the nose
  • Rebound nasal congestion (if using longer than 3 days)

Warnings for Afrin

  • Rebound congestion
  • Might not be safe for people with certain medical conditions
  • For use in the nose only

Prices with our coupons for Nasacort Allergy vs. Afrin

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Nasacort Allergy1 nasal spray / 120 sprays
$12.25$21.69
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Price Card Drug Icon
Oxymetazoline1 nasal spray / 15ml of 0.05%
$10.27$10.58
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