Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray

Fluticasone propionate nasal spray is used for improving common nasal allergy symptoms, such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, and nasal stuffiness. It is also approved to treat non-allergic rhinitis. The nasal spray is available by prescription and is generally used once or twice a day. Potential side effects of fluticasone propionate nasal spray include sore throat, bloody nose, nasal burning or irritation, and headaches.

 

What Is Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray?

Fluticasone propionate nasal spray (Flonase®) is a prescription medication approved to treat sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and nasal itching (known medically as rhinitis). Fluticasone propionate nasal spray is approved to treat these symptoms due to either allergies (known as allergic rhinitis) or other causes (known as non-allergic rhinitis).
 
(Click What Is Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray Used For? for more information on fluticasone propionate nasal spray uses, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray?

Fluticasone propionate nasal spray is made by GlaxoSmithKline.
 

How Does Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray Work?

Allergies occur when the body's immune system reacts to a normally harmless substance -- one that does not bother most people. These immune system reactions are known as inflammation, and they involve several different types of cells and several different chemicals in the body.
 
Fluticasone propionate nasal spray is a corticosteroid, or simply "steroid" for short. Steroids can have many different effects in the body, including anti-inflammatory effects. Steroids decrease inflammation by limiting the body's ability to produce an immune system reaction. They can be very effective for treating conditions such as allergies. However, long-term use of steroids can cause bothersome and sometimes serious side effects, and this limits the usefulness of many steroids. Because fluticasone propionate is a nasal spray, its effects are generally limited to the nose. This helps prevent many of the long-term side effects of steroids.
 
It is not know exactly how fluticasone propionate nasal spray works for non-allergic rhinitis.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;