Flonase - Is there anything I can do to recover my sense of smell & taste?

I have had a cold/virus for 5 weeks. Only after using Flonase did i lose all taste and sense of smell. Still nothing after 7 days.

I was prescribed the generic version after my first allergy attack and a prolonged sinus infection. 2 sprays a day for about a week. Weeks later I noticed that my normally blood hound sense of smell was partially gone. I thought it was just from my infection but I’ve been over it a couple weeks now and my senses haven’t returned. I had an incredible palate and am an extreme foodie. That whole experience has drastically changed. I had a hunch and decided to look this up. I’m absolutely outraged that this has happened to so many people and it’s still for sale, side effects not noted, no warning from doc who prescribed it, no lawsuit, no nothing. Something has to be done about this. This is changing peoples lives permanently!!!

I recently had a sinus infection and used my generic prescription of Flonase for about 5 days. I loss my sense of smell and taste. It's been 4 days since I stopped using it and still nothing. I have been drinking water constantly all day hoping this would help but still nothing. I wasn't sure what actually caused it until I started researching and came across this article with it happening to others. This is very frustrating. I live in Texas but I will call my family doctor today.

I to have noticed these symptoms, glad I found this discussion board. I was prescribed Flonase 2.5 years ago and used a couple times and tossed. I was prescribed Flonase again did not use till month or so ago. It seem to help (nasal allergy etc) I used more frequently when hit with hayfever that lasted a week. I only used 2 pumps each nostril once a day if I used. The hayfever or cold cleared up few weeks ago but I noticed my sense of smell and taste gone. I would say 75%. I have to hold item to my nostrils to get scent. Anyone's smell/taste returned over long term?

Before you do too much, go see your doctor. If it's an allergic reaction he can prescribe something for you, and he may already know if there is a problem with generic flonase (fluticasone). Also, try to connect with the others here who are having similar symtoms(or story) and compare the drug manufacturers of the generic flonase, that you have, with the one they are using. If you have used Flonase before, with no problems, it may be that a manufacturer has substituted some of the ingredients.

Could you please confirm whether you ever got your sense of smell back? Did you use theophylline or something else?

I also lost my sense of smell around seven years ago after using a nasal steroid spray. Your world changes completely. I now have to buy sensors for the house to detect natural gas and other dangerous things in the air. I can’t smell chlorine or paint fumes either. There are times I can detect a smell, but I can’t tell what it is. Like a lemon. If I put my nose right up on it, I sense something, but there is no lemon characteristic to it. Finding this post was both relieving and sad. I wouldn’t want this for anyone. I wish there was a way to pull everyone together and find a solution. I miss the smell of a camp fire and my mom’s apple pie. I used to enjoy tasting and smelling wines, now I can only really go through the motions. There is so much I miss. If anyone knows of a support group for this, I’d be very interested in knowing about it. Steve

I am floored by what I am reading. I have been on the generic Flonase, Fluticasone, for over 10 years now. I have no sense of smell and limited taste. Recently. I had a neck steroid injection due to an unrelated injury and my smell returned. I could finally smell the sents of Christmas, Cinnamon, Flowers, and the people so precious to me. So after 2-3 months of having smell in the past 10+ years. I started getting the sniffles. I used a dose of Fluticasone (oh, i didnt mention i had disconinued use of the spray after the injection) after that dose... my smell is gone again. I could just cry. I have been suspicious of this for years but my doctor told me that the nasal spray would not cause that type of reaction. Now I read this! Is there a class action yet?

From my experience, only time helped. Last year, I used one spray of Flonase in each nostril. The next morning, I couldn't taste anything. It took just over a month for my sense of taste to return. Why this potential serious side effect isn't prominently listed on the box is beyond me -- and unethical.

(Strangely, when I was younger -- I was 42 when I used it last year -- I was able to use it withhout any side effects.)

I'm experiencing the same thing. Was prescribed generic Flonase and used an entire bottle of it (approximately 120 sprays) and can no longer taste certain things like coffee. For example. Other smells that are totally unrelated like certain flowers and foods all smell like sulphur or hard boiled eggs to me. I can no longer taste my own breath either and have no idea what it smells like sometimes. I just made a follow up appointment with the ENT who prescribed it to me and am going to call the FDA next to request the form that a previous commenter mentioned. Wish I'd have known about this before. Praying the damage is not permanent.

I tried the Generic Flonase. After 7 uses I lost my sense of smell and taste. I started because I had a sinus congestion. I stoped because it gave me a headache. My ENT prescribed it. He did not put 2 and 2 together. Until I stumbled upon this blog. In the meantime before I read this blog I have had a CT and went to an Allergist. She prescribed another nasal spray that in the list of side effects it says bitter taste and could cause loss of taste and smell. That’s what made me look up Flonase. I’ve stopped three weeks ago the Generic Flonase and I am starting to slowly get my taste back. My sense of smell is hardly present. I’m using Turmeric and it seems to help
and started Saline Soution for my congestion.

Does anyone know the name of the Doctor in DC ?

My husband has used Flonase for 5 years, he's developed constant pressure and ringing in his ears and has recently lost his sense of taste. As of three days ago he stopped using it and we're hoping that we'll see a difference in his sense of taste.

I have been using Flonase for 3 months and I have lost taste and smell. Called the customer service number to report it. They said no one has ever had this side effects before?

I am in the same boat with loss of taste and smell if there's anything I can do to help with suing or if anyone finds out how to fix this please let me know I am going on three days and hoping to have my smell and taste restored.