Fluticasone nasal spray: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Reviews (2024)

What is Fluticasone nasal spray?

What is Fluticasone nasal spray used for?

How Fluticasone nasal spray works

Fluticasone nasal spray is a corticosteroid (or steroid). When you come into contact with something that causes allergies, such as dust or animals, your immune system releases proteins and chemicals to remove the irritants from your body. This causes allergic reactions and inflammation (swelling) in your nose. Fluticasone nasal spray works by lowering inflammation in your nose, which helps relieve nasal symptoms, such as sneezing and a stuffy, runny, or itchy nose.

Drug Facts

More on Fluticasone nasal spray essentials

What are the risks and warnings for Fluticasone nasal spray?

Fluticasone nasal spray can cause nosebleeds or cause sores to form in your nose. Rarely, these sores can make holes in the bony cartilage between your nostrils (the nasal septum). Talk to your provider if you experience discomfort in your nose, regular nosebleeds, or painful sores in your nose while using fluticasone nasal spray.

This medication can also slow down how quickly you heal from a wound, nasal surgery, or nasal injury. If you've had an injury or recent surgery on you nose, you should wait until it's completely healed before using fluticasone nasal spray.

Fluticasone nasal spray can cause slowing of growth in children. Your child's provider should monitor their growth while using this medication. Use the lowest dose of fluticasone nasal spray needed to control your child's symptoms and use this medication for the shortest period of time necessary. Don't use OTC fluticasone nasal spray for more than 2 months out of the year unless otherwise instructed by your child's provider.

Fluticasone nasal spray can raise the pressure in your eyes, which can lead to new or worsening eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts. If you experience vision problems while using fluticasone nasal spray, or if you have a history of eye problems, your provider should closely monitor your vision during treatment. Talk to your provider or an eye specialist if you experience vision changes while using fluticasone nasal spray.

Fluticasone nasal spray can lower the ability of your body to fight off infections. Be careful not to come in contact with anyone who has chicken pox or measles, and let your provider know if this happens. Talk to your provider before using fluticasone nasal spray if you're currently experiencing a respiratory tract, fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection, or if you have active or inactive tuberculosis.

Using fluticasone nasal spray for several months or longer can raise your chance of getting a fungal infection in the nose and throat. Your provider might want you to stop using fluticasone nasal spray and get treatment if you develop this type of infection. If you have pain, redness, and white patches in the nose and/or throat while using this medication, or if you have a loss of smell or taste, talk to your provider right away.

Using fluticasone nasal spray at a higher dose or for a longer period of time than recommended can put you at risk for problems related to your stress hormone. You might experience symptoms of too much hormones, such as depression, weight gain, and muscle weakness. Let your provider know if you have these side effects because they can help you stop fluticasone nasal spray safely by lowering your dose slowly over time.

If you stop fluticasone nasal spray too suddenly after using it for a long time, you might notice symptoms of too little hormones, such as nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. If you want to stop this medication, ask your provider to help you do so safely.

Though very rare, there have been a few reports of serious allergic reactions from use of fluticasone nasal spray. Stop using this medication and get medical help right away if you experience rash, hives, swelling of the tongue and face, tightness in the throat, and trouble breathing.

Fluticasone nasal spray dosage forms

Fluticasone nasal spray comes in different formulations. There are also prescription and OTC versions that might differ in directions or age cut-offs. Please read the manufacturer's label or prescription label for directions that are specific for your fluticasone nasal spray.

Prescription-only generic fluticasone propionate nasal spray

Each spray contains 50 mcg of fluticasone propionate.

• Adults: The typical starting dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, or 1 spray in each nostril twice daily. After a few days, your provider might lower your dose to 1 spray in each nostril once daily to continue controlling your symptoms. The maximum day dose is 2 sprays in each nostril.

• Children ages 4 to 17 years old: The typical starting dose is 1 spray in each nostril once daily. Your child's provider might raise the dose to 2 sprays in each nostril once daily if more symptom relief is needed. Once your child's symptoms are under control, the dose should be lowered back to 1 spray in each nostril once daily. The maximum day dose is 2 sprays in each nostril.

OTC Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate):

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 daily for one week. Then use 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, as needed to treat your symptoms for up to 6 months. After 6 months, speak to your healthcare provider about whether or not you should continue using this medication.

• Children ages 4 to 11 years old: The typical dose is 1 spray in each nostril once daily. After 2 months, speak to your healthcare provider about whether or not your child should continue using this medication.

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 daily for one week. Then use 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, as needed to treat your symptoms for up to 6 months. After 6 months, speak to your healthcare provider about whether or not you should continue using this medication.

• Children ages 2 to 11 years old: The typical dose is 1 spray in each nostril once daily. After 2 months, speak to your healthcare provider about whether or not your child should continue using this medication.