Is Flonase allergy relief OTC or prescription?

Asked by: Rickey D'Amore  |  Last update: October 3, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (33 votes)

The same trusted, #1 prescribed allergy medicine you've always relied on, available over-the-counter. No prescription necessary.

Is FLONASE prescription or over-the-counter?

Since Flonase is now available over-the-counter (OTC), insurance plans may not pay for the prescription brand name product, and your costs could be significantly higher than the OTC Flonase.

What is prescription FLONASE called?

Fluticasone is a medication that comes as a nasal spray. It treats allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching and a runny or stuffy nose. It helps you breathe easier by reducing inflammation in your nose. A common brand of fluticasone is Flonase®.

Does FLONASE come in prescription form?

FLONASE Nasal Spray is a prescription medicine used to treat non-allergy nasal symptoms such as runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, and nasal itching in adults and children aged 4 years and older. It is not known if FLONASE Nasal Spray is safe and effective in children younger than 4 years of age.

How often can you use OTC FLONASE?

Adults should take two sprays of FLONASE in each nostril once a day for the first week. After that, use one or two sprays in each nostril once a day as needed. If your symptoms are still present after six months of daily use, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Is FLONASE® Allergy Relief just as strong as prescription FLONASE®?

19 related questions found

How long can you safely use FLONASE?

Adults and children 12 years of age or older

Week 1: Use 2 sprays in each nostril once daily. After your first week: Use 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, as needed to treat symptoms. After 6 months of daily use: Consult a healthcare professional.

Can FLONASE be used daily long term?

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.

What is the difference between FLONASE and prescription fluticasone?

Both prescription fluticasone propionate nasal spray and OTC Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate) contain the same active ingredient at the same dose. In fact, Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate) used to be prescription-only before the FDA approved of its Rx-to-OTC switch in 2014.

Why has FLONASE been discontinued?

Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray USP 50 mcg Per Spray 120 Metered Sprays Due to Potential for Small Glass Particles.

Is FLONASE good for sinus infection?

Treating a sinus infection means unblocking and draining the sinuses. Corticosteroid nasal sprays such as Flonase and Nasacort are the best source for treatment because they help reduce swelling in the nasal passages.

When should I take FLONASE morning or night?

Is it better to use FLONASE at night? In short, no. One daily dose of FLONASE Allergy Relief delivers 24-hour relief from your worst allergy symptoms. So, even if you take it in the morning, you're still covered for all night long, without pesky allergy symptoms.

Does FLONASE raise blood pressure?

FLONASE Allergy Relief has a well-established safety profile. FLONASE Allergy Relief is NOT associated with: Higher blood pressure and is not contraindicated in patients with hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Is FLONASE a steroid?

FLONASE contains a glucocorticoid—a substance produced naturally by your body to help fight inflammation. A glucocorticoid is a kind of steroid that is different from the anabolic (muscle-building) steroids sometimes misused by athletes.

What is the downside of Flonase?

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. Talk to your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

What are the drawbacks of Flonase?

Downsides

Nosebleeds, nasal ulceration, headache, sore throat, nausea, cough, and nasal burning or itching. Also occasionally more serious nasal effects may occur and the use of Flonase may delay wound healing. Do not use Flonase if you have recently had nasal surgery or nasal trauma.

Why shouldn't you use Flonase more than 3 days?

If a nasal decongestant spray is a fixture in your medication lineup, it's important to know that using these sprays for more than three consecutive days can actually worsen your congestion. "This side effect of nasal decongestant sprays is called rebound congestion," says Dr.

Is fluticasone better than Zyrtec?

If nasal congestion bothers you the most, fluticasone nasal sprays are more helpful to use. Intranasal steroids like fluticasone are recommended for treating moderate to severe allergy symptoms, and single-ingredient antihistamines, like cetirizine, do not treat nasal congestion.

Who should not use fluticasone?

Who should NOT take this medication? Fluticasone propionate nasal spray should not be used by anyone who: is allergic to fluticasone or to any of the ingredients of the medication. has untreated fungal, bacterial, or tuberculosis infections of the respiratory tract.

Is anxiety a side effect of FLONASE?

Fluticasone is a prescription-only anti-inflammatory corticosteroid whose job is to reduce inflammation of bodily tissue. Because anxiety is a possible side effect of fluticasone, people who suffer from anxiety may want to rethink taking it as medication- particularly if it is being taken to treat breathing problems.

Is FLONASE an antihistamine or decongestant?

FLONASE Nighttime Allergy Relief tablets uses a powerful antihistamine to relieve runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose or throat and itchy, watery eyes due to hay fever or allergic rhinitis for up to 6 hours.

Does FLONASE help post nasal drip?

In addition to recommending a rinse or spray product, I typically prescribe Flonase®, azelastine, Atrovent®, or some combination. For people with posterior drip and sinus issues, these sprays can be very helpful.

Can I stop taking FLONASE cold turkey?

However, while there are potential side effects to using Flonase nasal spray, stopping Flonase abruptly is unlikely to cause problems.

Can you take Zyrtec and FLONASE together?

Question: If someone is using a nasal steroid spray, such as Nasonex or Flonase, is it okay or even desirable to also use an oral antihistamine such as Zyrtec or Claritin? Answer: Yes, both antihistamines and nasal steroids can be used, depending on the clinical symptoms and the response to treatment.

Does Flonase affect the brain?

Oral and Inhaled Glucocorticoids Both Trigger Brain Decline

Common glucocorticoids include medications such as Flonase (fluticasone) and prednisone.