What are the risks of using Flonase long-term?

Long-term use or high doses of Flonase (fluticasone) may increase the risk of having side effects such as a serious allergic reaction, hormonal (adrenal gland) disorder, nose sores, a yeast (fungal) infection in your throat or nose, a higher risk of infections, cataracts or glaucoma, weak bones or osteoporosis and delayed growth in children.

Flonase Allergy Relief is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray and is used to treat seasonal and year-round allergies in adults and children. Follow the dosing directions and age restrictions found on the Drug Facts Label of your product.

Most people who use Flonase nasal spray do not have long-term or serious side effects. In one 6-month long study, researchers found no systemic side effects (when the drug is absorbed and affects the entire body) with use of fluticasone nasal spray used once daily (one 200 mcg dose) or twice a day (100 mcg twice per day).

Flonase is usually a well-tolerated nasal allergy spray. However, mild or more severe side effects, especially if you use it for longer than recommended or at higher doses, can occur.

• In adults and children 12 years and older, ask your doctor if you can keep using Flonase Allergy Relief after 6 months of daily use.
• In children 4 to 11 years of age, check with their doctor before using this product for longer than 2 months a year.
• Do not use Flonase Allergy Relief in children under 4 years of age.

You should tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of the medications you take, including Flonase Allergy Relief.

• Tell them about all of your medicines including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin and herbal or dietary supplements.
• There is the possibility of certain drug interactions, including with other corticosteroid medicines, ketoconazole pills for fungal infections, and some HIV medicines like ritonavir.

Serious allergic reactions

Allergic reactions are uncommon with Flonase, but may occur. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using Flonase Allergy Relief and get emergency medical help (call 911):

• sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat or any part of the body
• trouble swallowing
• a skin rash, hives, welts or itching
• wheezing, trouble breathing
• feeling faint or light-headed

Hormonal or adrenal gland disorder

Using this medicine for a long time may cause adrenal gland disorders and affect your hormones.

Contact your doctor right away if you notice signs of a hormonal disorder like: unusual tiredness or fatigue, diarrhea, muscle weakness, darkening of your skin, skin rash, feeling light-headed or dizzy, fainting, loss of appetite, weight changes, feeling depressed, nausea, or vomiting.

Nose or throat side effects

Corticosteroid medicines sprayed into the nose like fluticasone (Flonase) may cause side effects, like damage to the inside of your nose (bleeding, holes or ulcers or a whistling sound), severe or ongoing nosebleeds and delays in wound healing. This could be a sign of damage to your nose.

Tell your doctor if you have had nose surgery, a nose injury, or any infection in your nose or sinuses before using this medicine. A yeast or candida infection (looks like white patches) in your throat or nose can also occur.

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of these side effects.

Related Questions

• How often can you use Flonase nasal spray?
• Which is stronger, Flonase OTC or prescription?
• How long does it take for Flonase to work?

Risk of infections

A higher risk for infections can occur with corticosteroids like Flonase nasal, especially if used long-term or if the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have: unusual fatigue, a wound that won’t heal, fever, body chills, or body aches. White patches in your nose or throat or nose may be a yeast or candida infection.

Cataracts or glaucoma

Long-term use of Flonase nasal spray may rarely increase your risk for eye conditions, like cataracts or glaucoma. Tell your doctor if you develop cloudy or reduced vision, blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision while using this medicine. Your doctor may want you to see an eye doctor right away.

You should have a yearly eye exam to look for these conditions.

Weak bones or osteoporosis

Glucocorticoids like fluticasone (Flonase) may decrease bone mineral density (BMD) when used for a long time. A low bone mineral density can cause weak bones or osteoporosis. A BMD test measures how much calcium and other types of minerals are in an area of your bone. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this.

Growth effects

A slower growth rate may occur in some children while using this product. Steroid medicine can affect growth in children. Children should use Flonase for the shortest amount of time needed to relieve their allergy symptoms.

Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using Flonase or if your child is between 4 and 11 years of age and needs to use Flonase Allergy Relief for longer than 2 months a year.

Do not use Flonase Allergy Relief in children under 4 years of age.

This is not a complete list of all side effects and others may occur. You may not experience any side effects, too. If you have any concerns about side effects while using Flonase Allergy Relief, talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider.

This is not all the information you need to know about Flonase (fluticasone) Allergy Relief for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.