Flonase

Common Name: fluticasone nasal spray

How does Flonase work?

Fluticasone is a corticosteroid used for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, including hay fever, and perennial rhinitis. It is essential that you use this medication regularly to receive its full benefit, since maximum relief may not be obtained until 2 to 3 days of treatment have been completed. For seasonal allergies, you should start using this product before the first exposure to the cause of the allergy. Your doctor may choose to use a medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you're unsure why you are taking this medication, contact your doctor.

How should I use Flonase?

Adults and children 12 years and older: The usual dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. Some patients with severe rhinitis may benefit from 2 sprays in each nostril every 12 hours. The maximum daily dose is 4 sprays in each nostril. Children 4 to 11 years old: The usual dose is 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril in the morning. The recommended maximum daily dose is 2 sprays in each nostril daily (200 µg). The safety and efficacy of fluticasone have not been established for use by children under the age of four years. Have your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care professional instruct you on how to use this medication properly. Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor. It is very important for this medication to be used regularly as prescribed by your doctor. If you forget a dose of medication use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on with your regular schedule. Do not double doses.

What form(s) does Flonase come in?

Each 100 mg of spray (1 spray) delivered by the nasal adaptor contains fluticasone 50 µg. Nonmedicinal ingredients include benzalkonium chloride, dextrose, microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium, phenylethyl alcohol, polysorbate 80, and purified water.

What should I NOT take with Flonase?

This medication should not be used by anyone with: an allergy to fluticasone or to any of the ingredients of the medication active or quiescent untreated pulmonary tuberculosis an untreated fungal, bacterial, or viral infection of the respiratory tract

Are there any other precautions or warnings for Flonase?

Advise all doctors you go to that you have used corticosteroids. Additional medication: Although fluticasone will control seasonal allergic rhinitis in most cases, an abnormally heavy amount of summer pollen may sometimes require additional treatment, particularly to control eye symptoms. Stopping treatment: Under most circumstances, treatment with corticosteroids such as fluticasone should be tapered off gradually and not stopped suddenly. In the case of fluticasone, this would probably be a concern only in high doses. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about stopping regular use of fluticasone. Infections: Corticosteroids may disguise some signs of infection, and new infections may appear. A decreased resistance to localized infections has been observed during corticosteroid therapy; this may require treatment with an appropriate drug or stopping the use of fluticasone. Medical conditions: Because of the negative effect of corticosteroids on the healing of wounds, people who have had recent nasal surgery or trauma should use this medication with caution until their wounds have healed. Pregnancy: The safety of fluticasone for use during pregnancy has not been established. The expected benefits should be weighed against the potential risks, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy. Breast-feeding: It is not known whether fluticasone passes human milk; however, similar drugs are. The use of fluticasone by nursing mothers requires that the possible benefits of the medication be weighed against the potential hazards to the infant. Children: Fluticasone is not presently recommended for children younger than four years of age. Until further studies have been conducted, continuous, long-term treatment with fluticasone is not recommended for children under the age of 12 years.