Brand Names: Flonase, Veramyst

Generic Name: Fluticasone Nasal (floo TIK a sone)

What is Flonase?

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

Flonase is a nasal spray containing the corticosteriod fluticasone. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

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

How Taken

To get the best results with Flonase, you should use it regularly, as prescribed by your doctor, since its effectiveness depends on regular use. Because Flonase helps relieve inflammation, once you begin treatment you should use it once a day, every day as directed by your healthcare professional. The recommended starting dosage in adults is 2 sprays (50 mcg of Flonase Nasal Spray propionate each) in each nostril once daily (total daily dose, 200 mcg). The same dosage divided into 100 mcg given twice daily (e.g., 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.) is also effective. After the first few days, patients may be able to reduce their dosage to 100 mcg (1 spray in each nostril) once daily for maintenance therapy. Some patients (12 years of age and older) with seasonal allergic rhinitis may find as-needed use of 200 mcg once daily effective for symptom control. Greater symptom control may be achieved with scheduled regular use.

Warnings/Precautions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection of any kind. The absorption of this drug into your system can inhibit your body\'s ability to fight off infections. You may not be able to use Flonase Nasal Spray nasal if you have an infection. Flonase Nasal Spray is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Flonase Nasal Spray nasal will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Flonase Nasal Spray passes into breast milk. Do not use Flonase Nasal Spray nasal without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Flonase Nasal Spray nasal is not approved for use by children younger than 4 years of age.

Missed Dose

Use the missed dose as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If so, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the doses to catch up.

Possible Side Effects

Serious side effects from Flonase Nasal Spray nasal are not likely to occur. Stop using Flonase Nasal Spray nasal and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use Flonase Nasal Spray nasal and talk to your doctor if you experience stinging or burning of the nose; sneezing after application; yeast infection in the nose or throat (white patches); bleeding nose; perforated septum (inside left of nose); increased pressure in the eyes, glaucoma, or tearing of the eyes; headache or lightheadedness; nausea; cough; asthma symptoms; nasal stuffiness or a runny nose; or unpleasant (or loss of) taste or smell. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Storage

Store between 4° and 30°C (39° and 86°F). Keep your nasal spray out of the reach of children. Do not use your Flonase Nasal Spray after the date shown as "EXP" on the label or box.

Overdose

An overdose of this medication is not likely to occur. If you do think that an overdose has occurred, call an emergency room or poison control center.

More Information

Avoid items or activities that you know are allergens for you if they make your symptoms worse. Clean areas where dust or pet fur may aggravate your condition. Avoid exposing yourself to known sources of infection. Stay away from people with chicken pox, measles, or any other type of infection. Your immune system may not be strong enough to fight off an infection while you are using Flonase Nasal Spray nasal.

Important information about Flonase

Do not give Flonase 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 this medication.

Flonase 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 this medicine.

Shake Flonase 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 the nasal spray 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.

While using Flonase, 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.

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