What is the difference between a antihistamine and FLONASE?
Asked by: Hudson Hoeger | Last update: November 22, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (17 votes)
Can I take an antihistamine 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.
Which is better, nasal spray or antihistamine?
Both the pills and nasal sprays work to relieve the symptoms of allergies but a lot of people do not feel comfortable putting medication in their noses. However, a lot of studies indicate that nasal sprays are more effective, especially with reducing any stuffiness or congestion.
What is the downside of FLONASE?
Common Flonase side effects include headache and sore throat. Nasal irritation or nosebleeds are also possible. Serious Flonase side effects include thrush, vision problems, and worsening asthma. Flonase may not be right for certain people, such as those with a history of eye problems.
When should you not use FLONASE?
FLONASE is for the treatment of allergy-related symptoms. If you feel severe pain in your face, have thick nasal discharge, or think you may have a sinus infection, stop using FLONASE and see your doctor. Your doctor may want to consider if other medicines are needed.
How are FLONASE® products different from antihistamine pills?
Is Flonase a steroid or antihistamine?
The active ingredient in Flonase Allergy Relief Spray is the nonprescription version of fluticasone, a corticosteroid that works by blocking the release of the substances that cause allergies. Many allergy pills on the shelves are single-ingredient antihistamines, meaning they only block the production of histamine.
What medications cannot be taken with Flonase?
- medicines used to treat HIV, such as ritonavir or cobicistat.
- medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole.
- other medicines that contain steroids, such as eczema creams, asthma inhalers, steroid tablets, injections, other nasal sprays and drops, or eye drops.
Is there a natural alternative to Flonase?
Research supporting alternative treatments is limited. However, the most effective natural antihistamines may be stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics. These all have some evidence to back their usefulness for allergy sufferers.
What happens if you use Flonase every day?
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.
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.
What is the number 1 nasal spray?
The best sinus spray for allergies may vary for each individual, but Fluticasone Propionate (Flonase) and Triamcinolone Acetonide (Nasacort) are widely recommended. These steroid nasal sprays are effective in reducing inflammation and relieving symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.
Why avoid antihistamines with sinusitis?
Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, generic) are included in many cold and allergy medications. Because they dry and thicken nasal secretions, they make sinus drainage difficult and may worsen sinusitis. In general, people with sinusitis should not take antihistamines.
Which is better, Benadryl or Flonase?
Comparing Benadryl vs Flonase
Benadryl has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 78 ratings on Drugs.com. 65% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 18% reported a negative effect. Flonase has an average rating of 4.9 out of 10 from a total of 182 ratings on Drugs.com.
Which is better, Zyrtec or Flonase?
Single-ingredient oral antihistamines don't relieve nasal congestion, and some, like Zyrtec, may even cause drowsiness. FLONASE nasal sprays are non-drowsy, anti-inflammatory allergy relief nasal sprays that provide more complete relief* than a single-ingredient antihistamine.
How many days in a row can you use Flonase?
For maximum benefit, advise patients to continue taking FLONASE Allergy Relief for 3 to 4 days, then make it part of their daily routine as long as they are exposed to allergens.
What should you not mix with antihistamines?
- antidepressants.
- stomach ulcer or indigestion medicines.
- cough and cold remedies that also contain an antihistamine.
Is it better to take Flonase at night or in the morning?
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 the whole night—so you can rest easy, without pesky allergy symptoms.
Is Flonase a steroid like Prednisone?
Yes, Flonase has a steroid in its formula. The active ingredient in Flonase is fluticasone, which is a type of corticosteroid.
Does Flonase affect sleep?
Conclusions. Intranasal fluticasone treatment may be useful for patients with nasal obstruction-related obstructive sleep apnea to improve sleep quality and limit daytime dysfunction.
What is the strongest natural antihistamine?
Quercetin is considered one of the most powerful natural antihistamines. It's a plant flavonoid found in foods like apples, onions, and berries, and helps reduce allergy symptoms by stabilizing the cells that release histamine in the body.
What is the best medicine for sinus drainage?
Mucolytics. Mucolytics, such as guaifenesin, are chemical compounds that can help loosen and clear mucus from the nasal passages, sinuses, and lungs. They dissolve chemical bonds in mucus, making it thinner and helping it to drain more easily. Mucolytics are taken by mouth.
What works better than Flonase?
Astepro starts working faster than Flonase
But it can also help prevent symptoms. If you know when you typically start having allergy symptoms, try starting daily Astepro about 2 weeks beforehand. This can stop allergies before they cause noticeable symptoms.
Is Flonase safe for seniors?
Safe Medications and Which Ones to Avoid. Key takeaways: Preferred allergy medications for older adults are steroid nasal sprays, such as Flonase (fluticasone propionate), and antihistamine nasal sprays, such as Astepro (azelastine). Non-drowsy oral antihistamines, such as Claritin (loratadine), are also safe options.
Can Flonase cause weight gain?
Nasal corticosteroids such as triamcinolone nasal spray (Nasacort Allergy 24HR Nasal Spray) or fluticasone nasal spray (Flonase Allergy Relief) won't cause weight gain and may be better options for hay fever or other allergy symptoms, especially if weight gain is a concern.
Is it OK to take an antihistamine with Flonase?
It is fine to combine nasal steroid sprays with oral antihistamines, but the nasal steroid spray can prevent excess histamine production when it works well. Be careful not to confuse nasal steroid sprays with decongestant nasal sprays, such as oxymetazoline (Afrin).