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fluticasone nasal spray
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Congestion
Used for Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Congestion
Fluticasone nasal spray is a steroid nasal spray used to relieve allergy symptoms, such as stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes. It's available by prescription and over the counter (OTC). OTC brands include Flonase Allergy Relief and Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief. Depending on the product, it can be used in adults and children as young as 2 years old. It's typically sprayed into each nostril once or twice a day. Side effects include headaches and nosebleeds.
What is Fluticasone nasal spray?
What is Fluticasone nasal spray used for?
Symptoms from allergies, such as:
- Stuffy nose
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
How Fluticasone nasal spray works
Fluticasone nasal spray is a corticosteroid. The exact way it treats nasal allergy symptoms isn't fully understood, but it helps lower inflammation by reducing the activity of cells and chemicals involved in allergic reactions. This helps reduce swelling and irritation in your nose and relieve allergy symptoms.
When does Fluticasone nasal spray start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Flonase Allergy Relief, Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Corticosteroid |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription or over-the-counter |
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Side effects of Fluticasone nasal spray
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (7-16%)
- Sore throat (6-8%)
- Nosebleeds (6-7%)
- Asthma symptoms (3-7%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Nasal burning or irritation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Cough
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
Fluticasone nasal spray serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe nose problems: nosebleeds, painful sores inside the nose, whistling sound when breathing through the nose, nasal pain
- Serious allergic reactions: rash, hives, face or tongue swelling, breathing problems
- Other infections: fever, pain, aches, chills, feeling tired, nausea, vomiting
When do Fluticasone nasal spray possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Headache
Sore throat
Nose itching
Nosebleeds
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
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The following Fluticasone nasal spray side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
White patches inside nose or throat
Symptoms of overdose
Blindness
blurred vision
bone fractures
excess facial hair growth in females
fullness of face, neck, and trunk
impotence in males
increased thirst or urination
lack of menstrual periods
muscle wasting
weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Fluticasone nasal spray
Pros
- Treats several nasal allergy symptoms and itchy or watery eyes
- Typically used once a day (sometimes twice a day)
- Available OTC or with a prescription
- Flonase Sensimist can be used in children as young as 2 years old
Cons
- Can cause nosebleeds or nasal irritation
- Can take several days to get the full benefit
- Long-term use can slow growth in children
- Must be used regularly for best results
Pharmacist tips for Fluticasone nasal spray
- Use fluticasone nasal spray regularly during allergy season or for as long as directed. If you use the OTC product every day for more than 6 months, ask a healthcare professional if it's safe to continue.
- Talk to your child's pediatrician if they need OTC fluticasone nasal spray for longer than 2 months per year. Nasal corticosteroids can slow growth in some children, so it's best to use the lowest dose that works.
- Don't share fluticasone nasal spray with anyone else. Sharing nasal sprays can spread germs and infections.
- Use fluticasone nasal spray on a regular basis for the best results. You might notice some relief on the first day, but it can take several days to get the full benefit.
- Talk to a healthcare professional if your symptoms don't improve after using OTC fluticasone nasal spray for 7 days or if they get worse.
- Fluticasone nasal spray can cause mild stinging or sneezing right after a dose. Contact a healthcare professional if you have severe nasal pain or frequent or severe nosebleeds.
- Tell a healthcare professional right away if you hear a constant whistling sound from your nose while using fluticasone nasal spray. This could be a sign of damage inside your nose.
- Tell your healthcare professional about all medications and supplements you take before using fluticasone nasal spray because it can interact with many medications. Some medications, such as ritonavir, clarithromycin, and ketoconazole, can raise the amount of fluticasone in your body and increase your risk of side effects.
- Fluticasone nasal spray isn't known to interact with alcohol. Ask a healthcare professional if you have questions about drinking alcohol with your medications.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Talk to a healthcare professional before using fluticasone nasal spray if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Only a small amount is absorbed into your body, but there isn't much information about its use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
How to use fluticasone nasal spray
- Follow the instructions for your specific fluticasone nasal spray product because directions can vary. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare professional if you're not sure how to use your nasal spray.
- Prime the bottle: Shake the bottle and prime it before using it for the first time or if you haven't used it for a while. Check your product instructions for how many sprays to use for priming.
- Taking a dose: Gently blow your nose, tilt your head slightly forward, and place the nozzle into one nostril. Aim slightly away from the center of your nose and breathe in gently as you spray. Repeat in the other nostril as directed.
- Cleaning: Wipe the nozzle with a clean, dry tissue after each use and replace the cap.
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Risks and warnings for Fluticasone nasal spray
Fluticasone nasal spray can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Nose problems
- Risk factors: Recent surgery or injury to the nose | Using fluticasone nasal spray for several months or longer
Fluticasone nasal spray can cause problems inside your nose, including nosebleeds, sores, and fungal infections. Rarely, it can cause a hole in the wall between your nostrils (nasal septum). Corticosteroids can also slow healing inside your nose.
Tell your care team if you have frequent nosebleeds, sores, ongoing irritation, white patches, or a whistling sound when you breathe through your nose. Avoid fluticasone nasal spray if you've recently had nasal surgery, an injury, or sores in your nose until the area has healed.
Eye problems
- Risk factors: History of glaucoma or cataracts | Long-term use of fluticasone nasal spray
Long-term use of fluticasone nasal spray can raise your risk of eye problems, including glaucoma, increased pressure in your eyes, and cataracts. Tell your care team if you notice blurry vision, eye pain, or other changes in your eyesight. They might recommend an eye exam, especially if you use the medication for a long time.
Serious allergic reactions
Serious allergic reactions to fluticasone nasal spray are very rare, but they can happen. Stop using the medication and get medical help right away if you develop a rash, hives, swelling of your face or tongue, tightness in your throat, or trouble breathing.
Higher risk of infections
- Risk factors: Active, chronic (long-term), or recurrent infection | Not current on vaccinations | Medical conditions that weaken the immune system | Taking other medications that can weaken the immune system
Fluticasone nasal spray can weaken your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight infections. Certain infections, such as chickenpox and measles, can become more serious. Avoid close contact with people who have these infections, and contact your care team right away if you're exposed.
Tell your care team about any current or past infections before using fluticasone nasal spray. This includes tuberculosis (TB), fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, and herpes infections of the eye.
Changes in stress hormone levels
- Risk factors: Taking other corticosteroids | Long-term use of fluticasone nasal spray | Using fluticasone nasal spray at a higher dose than recommended
Fluticasone nasal spray can rarely affect your body's ability to make its own steroid hormones, especially if you use more than the recommended dose. This can lead to adrenal insufficiency, a condition where your body doesn't make enough steroid hormones.
Your risk can also be higher if you're switching from a steroid taken by mouth or injection to fluticasone nasal spray. Tell your care team if you develop unusual tiredness, weakness, dizziness, nausea, or muscle or joint pain, especially during illness, surgery, or other physical stress.
Slowed growth in children
- Risk factors: Children who are still growing | Using higher dose of fluticasone nasal spray than recommended | Long-term use of fluticasone nasal spray
Fluticasone nasal spray might slow growth in children who are still growing. Your child's care team will likely check their height regularly during treatment and use the lowest dose that controls their allergy symptoms.
Fluticasone nasal spray dosage
The average cost for 1 nasal spray of 16g of 50mcg of Fluticasone nasal spray is $14.67 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 68.78% off the average retail price of $46.99. 
Nasal spray
Nasal spray| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16g of 50mcg | 1 nasal spray | $14.67 | $14.67 |
Typical dosage for Fluticasone nasal spray
Fluticasone nasal spray comes in different forms, including prescription and OTC products. The dosing and age ranges vary by product, so follow the directions on your specific product or prescription label.
Prescription fluticasone propionate nasal spray:
Each spray contains 50 mcg of fluticasone propionate.
- Adults: The typical starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day, OR 1 spray in each nostril twice a day. Once your symptoms are under control, your prescriber might lower the dose to 1 spray in each nostril once a day. The maximum is 2 sprays in each nostril per day.
- Children ages 4 and older: The typical starting dose is 1 spray in each nostril once a day. If needed, your child's prescriber might raise the dose to 2 sprays in each nostril once a day, then lower it back to 1 spray once symptoms are under control.
OTC fluticasone propionate nasal spray:
Each spray contains 50 mcg of fluticasone propionate.
- Adults and children ages 12 years and older: The typical starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day for one week. Then use 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril once a day as needed. Talk to a healthcare professional if you need to use it for more than 6 months.
- Children ages 4 to 11 years: The typical dose is 1 spray in each nostril once a day. Talk to your child's healthcare professional if they need to use it for more than 2 months per year.
OTC Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief (fluticasone furoate):
Each spray contains 27.5 mcg of fluticasone furoate.
- Adults and children ages 12 years and older: The typical starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day for one week. Then use 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril once a day as needed. Talk to a healthcare professional if you need to use it for more than 6 months.
- Children ages 2 to 11 years: The typical dose is 1 spray in each nostril once a day. Talk to your child's healthcare professional if they need to use it for more than 2 months per year.
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Fluticasone nasal spray reviews
GoodRx has partnered with to provide reviews on the different aspects of Fluticasone nasal spray.
Effectiveness
Learn more about the effectiveness of Fluticasone nasal spray based on real life experiences.
Overall Rating
Based on 100 people taking this medication
3
Effectiveness by condition:
asthma36 reviews
2.7
seasonal allergy31 reviews
4.0
allergic rhinitis24 reviews
3.2
sinus infection (sinusitis)5 reviews
2.3
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease4 reviews
2.8
Side effects
Learn more about the side effects others have reported while taking Fluticasone nasal spray.
Severity of side effects
Based on 260 people taking this medication
0%
50%
100%
Top side effects
Based on 260 people taking this medication
Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
6%
Dry nose
4%
Sore throat
2%
Dry nasal passages
2%
Runny nose (rhinorrhea)
2%
Usage
Review why people stop taking this medication and how long they take it.
Reasons people stopped taking Fluticasone nasal spray
Based on 140 people who have taken this medication
Did not seem to work
23%
Other
19%
Doctor's advice
18%
Course of treatment ended
17%
Side effects too severe
15%
Change in health plan coverage
5%
Expense
5%
Personal research
3%
How long people take Fluticasone nasal spray
Based on 525 people who have taken this medication
0%
50%
100%
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Interactions between Fluticasone nasal spray and other drugs
Fluticasone nasal spray may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Fluticasone nasal spray. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Atazanavir
- Boceprevir
- Bupropion
- Clarithromycin
- Cobicistat
- Conivaptan
- Dabrafenib
- Darunavir
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Piperaquine
- Pixantrone
- Posaconazole
- Primidone
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Tipranavir
- Voriconazole
How much does Fluticasone nasal spray cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Fluticasone nasal spray (generic)
$14.67
What are alternatives to Fluticasone nasal spray?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Fluticasone nasal spray. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Fluticasone nasal spray images
