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Flonase® nasal spray

This product is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline using the ingredient fluticasone propionate.

This product is taken via nasal inhalation.

Why is it prescribed?

Fluticasone is used to control the signs and symptoms of asthma that are responsive to orally inhaled corticosteroids. It is also used as a nasal spray to relieve nasal congestion in the treatment of seasonal and perennial rhinitis (runny nose) where inflammation of the lining of the nose causes it to run.

Flonase® nasal spray is intended for nasal inhalation only.
The contents of the pump style delivery device are suspended in a water base.
Your doctor or pharmacist should have instructed you on the proper use and care of your Flonase® nasal spray.

Instructions for Use:

  • Shake the bottle gently, then remove the dust cover by gently squeezing the ribs between your finger and thumb and lifting off.
  • Hold the spray with your forefinger and middle finger on either side of the nozzle and your thumb underneath the bottle.
  • If using for the first time or if you have not used it for a week or more test the spray as follows: with the nozzle pointing away from you, press down several times as shown until a fine mist comes out of the nozzle.
  • Blow your nose gently.
  • Close one nostril  and put the nozzle in the other nostril. Tilt your head forward slightly and keep the spray upright.
  • Start to breathe in through your nose and WHILE BREATHING IN press down with your fingers ONCE to release one spray.
  • Breathe out through your mouth. If a second spray in that nostril is required repeat as above
  • Repeat above 3 steps for the other nostril.

It is not meant to give you instant relief of your nasal congestion but to correct the underlying problem responsible for your symptoms.
You probably won't notice much improvement until after 2-3 days of regular use.
Check with the doctor if you notice signs of infection in your nose, throat or sinuses or if repeated unusual bleeding occurs.
Your Flonase® should be stored between 4 and 30 degrees centigrade.


Alternatives

Other products that have the same ingredient as Flonase® nasal spray are •Advair® Diskus® •Advair® MDI •Aermony Respiclick™ •Apo-fluticasone HFA  •Apo-Fluticasone Nasal Spray •Dymista® •Flovent® Diskus®  •Flovent® HFA •Mylan-Azelastine/Fluticasone nasal spray •PMS-Fluticasone HFA •PMS-Fluticasone Propionate/ Salmeterol DPI •Teva-Fluticasone Nasal Spray •Wixela® Inhub® •

See other products used in the treatment of •allergic rhinitis •asthma •nasal polyps •perennial rhinitis •rhinitis •runny nose •seasonal allergies •seasonal rhinitis •

The usual dose in children over 12 years of age and adults is 2 sprays into each nostril once a day and in more severe cases, 2 sprays into each nostril every 12 hours. The maximum daily dose is 4 sprays into each nostril.
The usual dose for children ages 4 to 11 is 1 or 2 sprays into each nostril in the morning.


Fluticasone is a highly potent corticosteroid that possesses strong anti- inflammatory activity. Whether inhaled through the nose or into the lungs, the effect of the drug is local (acting directly on the tissue it comes in contact with). The amount absorbed by the body is minimal and therefore the incidence of unwanted effects is low.


Along with its needed effects, fluticasone may cause some unwanted or undesirable effects. Often, fluticasone users who use their medication properly, never experience any unwanted effects. The severity and duration of these effects are dependant on many factors including duration of therapy, dose, route of administration and individual response. Possible unwanted effects include:

  • sneezing immediately after use (nasal spray only)
  • irritation and burning in the nose (nasal spray only)
  • localized infection of Candida Albicans (yeast) of the mouth and throat


Less common:

  • sore throat (oral inhalation only)
  • hoarseness (oral inhalation only)
  • cough
  • headache
  • nausea

Rare:

  • immediate or delayed allergic reaction (e.g. rash, hives, and bronchospasm)
  • flushing, itchiness, and swelling of the eyes, face, lips and throat

 


Use as directed. Never use a higher dose than what you have been prescribed. Using higher than recommended doses will cause greater absorption by the body and possibly lead to greater occurrence of unwanted effects. Optimal relief of symptoms may require a few days of continuous therapy.
If symptoms do not improve or the condition worsens, the doctor should be contacted.
Treatment with fluticasone should never be stopped without first consulting your doctor.
Discontinuation of fluticasone requires gradual tapering or you may experience a flare-up of your condition.
Inadequate response can often be a result of improper use of the delivery device. Your doctor or pharmacist should instruct you on the correct use of these preparations. Each product comes with a package insert that should be read and then kept as a reference.
Children using any of these preparations should do so under the direct supervision of an adult who is familiar with it's proper use.
It is important to inform subsequent physicians that you are using or have used fluticasone or any other corticosteroids as this may vary the treatment plan.
When you have been treated with oral corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone) for prolonged periods and are being transferred to intranasally or orally inhaled fluticasone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms (e.g. joint and/or muscular pain and depression). These symptoms should be reported to your doctor, especially if you have associated asthma or another condition in which too rapid a decrease in systemic steroids may cause a severe flare-up of symptoms. Fluticasone may mask some signs of infection and new infections may appear. The body tends to have a decreased resistance to localized infections while on this therapy so anything of this nature should be reported to the doctor. Drug Interactions: Due to very low absorption at therapeutic doses, it is unlikely that there would be any important interactions. However, it is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist of any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking. However in people with hypoprothrombinemia (deficiency of a clotting factor in the blood resulting in an increased tendency to bleed) ASA (e.g. Aspirin®) should be used cautiously used in combination with corticosteroids. Ritonavir (e.g. Norvir®) has been known to interact with fluticasone propionate.
Use is not recommended in the following situations:

  • allergy to fluticasone propionate or any component of the preparation.
  • tuberculosis
  • untreated fungal, bacterial and viral infections


Caution recommended in the following situations:

  • people previously treated for prolonged periods with oral corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone)

Use in pregnancy: If you suspect that you might be pregnant, consult your doctor. Use while breastfeeding: It is not known whether fluticasone propionate is passed into breast milk, but it is suspected. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use.