How Much Is Flonase Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Flonase is a corticosteroid nasal spray. It’s used to treat allergy symptoms and reduce inflammation in the nose and sinuses.
Prescription Flonase is discontinued in the U.S. But Flonase Allergy Relief and Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief are available over the counter (OTC). Almost all insurance plans cover the generic version of Flonase, fluticasone propionate.
With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for prescription fluticasone propionate. And with a prescription, GoodRx may be able to help you save on OTC fluticasone propionate or OTC Flonase products.
Without insurance, the average retail price for one bottle of prescription fluticasone propionate with a typical daily dose of 2 sprays in each nostril is $165.21.
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Table of contents
Flonase (fluticasone) is a corticosteroid nasal spray used to treat allergy symptoms (rhinitis). It can help with sniffling or congestion and reduce inflammation in the nose and sinuses. When taken as directed, Flonase can provide up to 24 hours of symptom relief.
Prescription, brand-name Flonase is discontinued in the U.S. But the generic version, fluticasone propionate, is available by prescription and over the counter (OTC).
GSK Consumer Healthcare also makes two brand-name nasal sprays that are available OTC without a prescription: Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propronate) and Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief (fluticasone furoate). Flonase Sensimist provides a finer, alcohol- and scent-free mist that’s less likely to drip.
Flonase Sensimist contains a lower dose per spray than Flonase. But its dose is considered equivalent to a Flonase dose. They have slightly different versions of the same active ingredient but work equally well.
Fluticasone products are commonly known as Flonase even though the brand name is discontinued. So we’ll refer to all nasal forms of fluticasone as “Flonase” in this article except where stated otherwise.
Flonase basics
The typical Flonase dose depends on your age. Adults and some children will typically start with 2 sprays in each nostril daily for the first week. If you’re 12 years and older, your regular dose is usually 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril daily as needed. For children ages 4 to 11, the typical dose is one spray in each nostril daily. This is the same dose for children 2 to 11 years old who are using Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief.
Adults and children over 12 years old shouldn’t use Flonase for more than 6 months without a healthcare professional’s approval. And children under 12 years old shouldn’t use Flonase for more than 2 months without checking with a healthcare professional.
Children’s Flonase Allergy Relief and Children’s Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief provide the same medication in the same amounts as the standard bottles. But the nasal sprays are smaller.
The chart below provides a summary of basic information about Flonase.
Flonase can provide relief in hours. Flonase is a corticosteroid nasal spray that can begin to relieve allergy symptoms in 2 to 4 hours after your first dose. But it may take up to 2 weeks of use to get the full effects.
Flonase side effects: Flonase can cause side effects that include headaches, sore throat, and nausea.
Choosing the best allergy nasal spray: Flonase is just one of many steroid nasal spray options that can help with your allergy symptoms.
Flonase basics
| Brand-name products |
|
| Generic products |
|
| FDA-approved use | To manage allergy symptoms and reduce inflammation in the nose and sinuses |
| Benefits |
|
| Possible side effects |
|
Does insurance cover prescription Flonase?
Health insurance plans typically cover prescription nasal sprays. But it depends on the type. For example, most insurance plans cover prescription fluticasone propionate (generic Flonase).
If you have insurance, check your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary to see whether fluticasone propionate is covered.
Will insurance cover OTC Flonase products?
Most people with Medicare or a plan purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace don’t have coverage for brand-name OTC Flonase and Flonase Sensimist products. However, some commercial insurance and Medicaid plans may cover OTC Flonase.
However, various health insurance plans often cover generic OTC Flonase. And most health insurance plans covering generic OTC Flonase don’t require enrollees to get a prior authorization or do step therapy. But about 1 in 7 people with Medicaid will need to get prior authorization for brand-name OTC Flonase.
The following charts show your likelihood of coverage, prior authorization, or step therapy if you’re trying to purchase OTC brand-name Flonase and OTC fluticasone propionate behind the counter with a prescription.
Insurance coverage for Flonase Allergy Relief (OTC)
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for this medication | Enrollees required to get a prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial (not including ACA plans) | 15.6% | 0.3% | 0.07% |
1.4% | 0% | 0.85% | |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 1.2% | 1% | 1% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 39.7% | 14.5% | 5.42% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of November 13, 2024. (See methodology below.)
Insurance coverage for fluticasone propionate (OTC)
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for this medication | Enrollees required to get a prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial (not including ACA plans) | 91% | 0% | 0.02% |
92.1% | 0.5% | 0.8% | |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 100% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.7% | 2% | 0.33% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of November 13, 2024. (See methodology below.)
Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance
If your insurance doesn’t cover Flonase, you have a few options:
Talk to your prescriber about alternative medications.
Ask your insurance company for an exception from your prescription medication formulary. Keep in mind that you may be required to do step therapy or get a prior authorization to be covered.
If your request for a formulary exception is denied, file an appeal with your plan.
Use a GoodRx coupon for potential savings.
Consider changing your prescription medication coverage during your next open enrollment period.
Sign up for savings or a coupon from the medication manufacturer’s website.
How much does Flonase cost without insurance?
If you don’t have health insurance, what you’ll pay for Flonase will depend on the following factors:
Fill amount (sprays per bottle, or 90-day supply versus 30-day supply)
The location of the pharmacy you use
The pharmacy you’re using
Whether you’re getting brand-name or generic Flonase
Whether you have a prescription or are getting your nasal spray OTC
The chart below contains current retail prices for different versions of Flonase and fluticasone propionate.
Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief (OTC)
Flonase Allergy Relief (OTC)
Fluticasone propionate (OTC)
Fluticasone propionate (prescription)
Amount per bottle (50 mcg/spray) | Average retail price |
16 g |
Ways to save on Flonase without insurance
Here are five ways to save on Flonase if you don’t have insurance.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for Flonase if you access your medication with a prescription.
Here’s how to get a coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type “Flonase” in the search field.
Choose the correct quantity and location.
Click or tap on “Search prices” to find prices at pharmacies near you.
Choose to receive your coupon via text or email, or print it out.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your medication. Or present the coupon to your pharmacy staff early on in the filling process, such as when you first receive your prescription, to help prevent delays at the pick-up counter.
2. Request a 90-day supply
Ask your prescriber for a prescription for a 90-day supply of Flonase instead of a 30-day supply to compare costs. Filling a 3-month supply may lower your overall costs and reduce your trips to the pharmacy.
If your insurance covers Flonase, you can also ask about potential discounts for using your plan’s mail-order pharmacy.
3. Compare prices at various pharmacies
GoodRx can help you easily compare costs at different pharmacies so that you can find the best Flonase price in your area.
4. Ask your prescriber about alternatives
If you are concerned about the cost of Flonase, talk to your prescriber. There may be another medication that treats your condition and fits your budget.
5. Use your tax-advantaged healthcare funds
If you have a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), using those funds to buy your medication can reduce your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.
The bottom line
Flonase products are available over the counter (OTC) and by prescription. OTC products include generic fluticasone propionate, Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief (fluticasone furoate), and Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate). Prescription Flonase is only available as generic fluticasone propionate.
Most insurance plans cover generic Flonase — fluticasone propionate — (OTC and prescription). But insurance coverage for OTC brand-name products varies.
Without insurance, the average retail price for one bottle (60 sprays) of over-the-counter (OTC), brand-name Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief is $22.14. With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay as low as $27.92.
OTC brand-name Flonase Allergy Relief (60 sprays) may cost $16.99 without insurance. But it may cost only $15.00 with a GoodRx coupon.
The exact amount you’ll pay will depend on your pharmacy, location, insurance, and other factors.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflect health insurance coverage as of November 2024.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
Federal Register. (2017). Determination that flonase (fluticasone propionate) nasal spray, 0.05 milligram, was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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