Generic name: fluticasone nasal (floo TIK a sone)
Brand name: Flonase
Flonase is a nasal spray containing fluticasone propionate. Fluticasone propionate is a corticosteroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Flonase Nasal Spray is used to treat nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.
Flonase is for use in adults and children who are at least 4 years old and is available without a prescription.
Warnings
Before using Flonase Nasal Spray, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma or cataracts, liver disease, diabetes, herpes simplex virus of your eyes, tuberculosis or any other infection, sores or ulcers inside your nose, or if you have recently had injury of or surgery on your nose.
It may take up to several days of using Flonase nasal spray before your symptoms improve. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week of treatment.
Fluticasone can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using fluticasone.
Do not administer Flonase Nasal Spray to a child younger than 4 years old without medical advice. Corticosteroid medication can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Flonase nasal spray if you are allergic to fluticasone.
Fluticasone can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.
To make sure Flonase is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- sores or ulcers inside your nose;
- injury of or surgery on your nose;
- glaucoma or cataracts;
- liver disease;
- diabetes;
- a weak immune system; or
- any type of infection (bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic).
If you use Flonase without a prescription and you have any medical conditions, ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe for you.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
How should I use Flonase Nasal Spray?
Use Flonase exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Your dose will depend on the fluticasone brand or strength you use, and your dose may change once your symptoms improve. Follow all dosing instructions very carefully.
A child using the nasal spray should be supervised by an adult.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Shake the nasal spray just before each use.
If you switched to fluticasone from another steroid medicine, you should not stop using it suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.
It may take several days before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week of treatment.
Store Flonase in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Throw the spray bottle away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Rhinitis:
Flonase Nasal Spray: 1 or 2 sprays (50 mcg/spray) in each nostril once a day as needed. After 6 months of daily use ask your doctor if you can keep using this medicine.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Rhinitis:
4 to 11 years: Flonase Nasal Spray: 1 spray (50 mcg/spray) in each nostril once a day.
Children should use for the shortest amount of time necessary to achieve symptom relief. Talk to your child’s doctor if your child needs to use the spray for longer than two months a year.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
An overdose of Flonase is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. Long term use of steroid medicine can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.
What should I avoid while using Flonase?
Avoid getting the spray in your eyes or mouth. If this does happen, rinse with water.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using fluticasone nasal.
Flonase side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Flonase: hives, rash; feeling light-headed; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe or ongoing nosebleeds;
- noisy breathing, runny nose, or crusting around your nostrils;
- redness, sores, or white patches in your mouth or throat;
- fever, chills, body aches;
- blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
- any wound that will not heal; or
- signs of a hormonal disorder--worsening tiredness or muscle weakness, feeling light-headed, nausea, vomiting.
Steroid medicine can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.
Common Flonase side effects may include:
- minor nosebleed, burning or itching in your nose;
- sores or white patches inside or around your nose;
- cough, trouble breathing;
- headache, back pain;
- sinus pain, sore throat, fever; or
- nausea, vomiting.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Flonase?
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- antifungal medicine; or
- antiviral medicine to treat hepatis C or HIV/AIDS.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interest ract with fluticasone nasal, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.