Flonase

Generic Name: fluticasone nasal (floo TIK a sone)
Brand Names: Flonase, Veramyst

What is Flonase?

Flonase is a nasal spray containing fluticasone. Fluticasone is 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 nasal spray is for use in adults and children who are at least 4 years old. Flonase is available without a prescription.

Important information

Before using Flonase, 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.

 Flonase: Avoid These Top 9 Mistakes

SLIDESHOW

Flonase: Avoid These Top 9 Mistakes

Flonase 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 Flonase.

Throw the medication away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Do not administer Flonase 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 Flonase.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Flonase 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 you can safely use Flonase, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

tuberculosis or any other infection or illness;

glaucoma or cataracts;

liver disease;

herpes simplex virus of your eyes;

sores or ulcers inside your nose; or

if you have recently had injury of or surgery on your nose.

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.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Corticosteroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

It is not known whether Flonase will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether fluticasone nasal passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Corticosteroid medicine can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

How should I use Flonase?

Use Flonase exactly as prescribed by your doctor or as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

The usual dose of Flonase is 1 to 2 sprays into each nostril once per day. Your dose may change after your symptoms improve. Follow all dosing instructions very carefully.

Do not use Flonase in a child younger than 4 years old.

Any child using Flonase should be supervised by an adult while using the nasal spray.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, and directions for priming the inhaler device. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Before your first use, prime the nasal spray pump by shaking the medicine well and spraying 6 test sprays into the air (away from your face), until a fine mist appears. Prime the Flonase spray pump any time you have not used it for 7 days or longer.

Using your Flonase Nasal Spray. Shake the inhaler device gently just before each use:

Step 1. Blow your nose to clear your nostrils.

Step 2. Close 1 nostril. Tilt your head forward slightly and, keeping the bottle upright, carefully insert the Flonase nasal applicator into the other nostril.

Step 3. Start to breathe in through your nose, and while breathing in press firmly and quickly down 1 time on the applicator to release the spray. To get a full dose, use your forefinger and middle finger to spray while supporting the base of the bottle with your thumb. Avoid spraying in eyes. Breathe gently inwards through the nostril.

Step 4. Breathe out through your mouth.

Step 5. If a second spray of Flonase is required in that nostril, repeat steps 2 through 4.

Step 6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 in the other nostril.

Step 7. Wipe the nasal applicator with a clean tissue and replace the dust cover).

If you switched to fluticasone from another corticosteroid medicine, do not stop using the other corticosteroid suddenly or you may have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk with your doctor about tapering your corticosteroid dose before stopping completely.

To be sure Flonase is not causing harmful effects on your nose or sinuses, your doctor may need to check your progress on a regular basis.

It may take up to 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.

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of 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 chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using Flonase.

Flonase side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Flonase: hives; 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, weakness, nausea, vomiting, flu symptoms;

any wound that will not heal; or

blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights.

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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Flonase?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

antifungal medicine; or

antiviral medicine to treat hepatis C or HIV/AIDS.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with fluticasone nasal, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.