fluticasone nasal

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

What is fluticasone nasal?

Fluticasone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Fluticasone nasal is used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round allergies.

Fluticasone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about fluticasone nasal?

Before using fluticasone nasal, tell your doctor if you are using antifungal medications such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), or HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).

While using fluticasone nasal, tell your doctor if you have severe or ongoing nose bleed, vision problems, sores in the nose that won't heal, or if you have fever, chills, body aches, or flu symptoms.

Shake the medicine bottle well just before each use. It may take up to several days of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week of treatment. Store this medication in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Throw the medication away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Fluticasone nasal can lower the 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 nasal.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old without the advice of a doctor. Steroid medicines can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using fluticasone nasal.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using fluticasone nasal?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have been sick or had an infection of any kind. You may not be able to use fluticasone nasal until you are well.

Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

glaucoma or cataracts;
liver disease;
herpes simplex virus of your eyes;
tuberculosis or any other infection or illness;
sores or ulcers inside your nose; or
if you have recently had injury of or surgery on your nose.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether fluticasone nasal is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether fluticasone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use fluticasone nasal without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old without the advice of a doctor. Steroid medicines can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using fluticasone nasal.

How should I use fluticasone nasal?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

The usual dose of fluticasone nasal is 1 to 2 sprays into each nostril once per day.

Before using the spray for the first time, you must prime the spray pump. Shake the medicine well and spray 6 test sprays into the air and away from your face. Prime the spray pump any time you have not used your nasal spray for longer than 30 days, or if you have left the cap off for 5 days or longer. Spray until a fine mist appears.

Shake the medicine bottle well just before each use. It may take up to several days of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week of treatment.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects on your nose or sinuses, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store this medication in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of fluticasone nasal 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 fluticasone nasal?

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water and call your doctor.

Fluticasone nasal side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

severe or ongoing nose bleed;
sores in the nose that won't heal;
vision problems; or
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms.

Less serious side effects may include:

headache, back pain;
minor nose bleed;
menstrual problems, loss of interest in sex;
sinus pain, cough, sore throat; or
sores or white patches inside or around your nose.

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.

Fluticasone nasal Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Rhinitis:

Nonallergic rhinitis:
Fluticasone propionate:
Initial dose: 200 mcg per day given as 2 sprays (50 mcg propionate per spray) to each nostril daily or 1 spray to each nostril twice daily; dosage may be reduced to 100 mcg/day (1 spray to each nostril daily) after the first few days if symptoms are controlled. Maximum dose: 200 mcg/day (4 sprays/day).

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

Allergic rhinitis:
Fluticasone propionate
Initial dose: 200 mcg propionate per day given as 2 sprays (50 mcg propionate per spray) to each nostril daily or 1 spray to each nostril twice daily. Dosage may be reduced to 100 mcg propionate/day (1 spray to each nostril daily) after the first few days if symptoms are controlled. Maximum dose: 200 mcg propionate/day (4 sprays/day).

Fluticasone furoate
110 mcg furoate per day given as 2 sprays (27.5 mcg furoate per spray) to each nostril daily. Dosage may be reduced to 55 mcg furoate/day (1 spray to each nostril daily) after the first few days if symptoms are controlled. Maximum dose: 110 mcg furoate (4 sprays/day).

Usual Pediatric Dose for Rhinitis:

Nonallergic rhinitis:
fluticasone propionate:
4 years to 11 years: 100 mcg/day given as 1 spray (50 mcg/spray) to each nostril daily. If response is inadequate, give 2 sprays to each nostril daily; once symptoms are controlled, reduce dose to 100 mcg/day (1 spray to each nostril daily). Maximum dose: 200 mcg/day (4 sprays/day).
12 years or older: 1 or 2 sprays (50 mcg/spray) to each nostril once or twice a day as needed to control symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

allergic rhinitis:
fluticasone propionate:
4 years to 11 years: 100 mcg/day given as 1 spray (50 mcg/spray) to each nostril daily. If response is inadequate, give 2 sprays to each nostril daily; once symptoms are controlled, reduce dose to 100 mcg/day (1 spray to each nostril daily). Maximum dose: 200 mcg/day (4 sprays/day).
12 years or older: 1 or 2 sprays (50 mcg/spray) to each nostril once or twice a day as needed to control symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis

fluticasone furoate:
2 years to 11 years: 55 mcg furoate per day given as 1 spray (27.5 mcg furoate per spray) to each nostril daily. Children not responding to 55 mcg may use 110 mcg per day given as 2 sprays to each nostril. Dosage may be reduced to 55 mcg furoate/day (1 spray to each nostril daily) after the first few days if symptoms are controlled. Maximum dose: 110 mcg furoate (4 sprays/day).
12 years or older: 110 mcg furoate per day given as 2 sprays (27.5 mcg furoate per spray) to each nostril daily. Dosage may be reduced to 55 mcg furoate/day (1 spray to each nostril daily) after the first few days if symptoms are controlled. Maximum dose: 110 mcg furoate (4 sprays/day).

What other drugs will affect fluticasone nasal?

Before using fluticasone nasal, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

certain antifungal medications such as ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
HIV medicines such as ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with fluticasone nasal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluticasone nasal.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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