How does flonase

Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. Infections: Corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray may worsen existing infections, mask the signs of infection, and cause new infections.

If you use this medication for several months or longer, your doctor will monitor you periodically for signs of infection. People who have not had chickenpox or measles or have not been vaccinated against these infections should take special care to avoid exposure to them. Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects.

If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication. Stopping treatment: Under most circumstances, treatment with corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray should be tapered off gradually and not stopped suddenly. In the case of fluticasone propionate nasal spray, this is usually only a concern at high doses. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about stopping regular use of this medication. Thyroid function: People with an underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism , may experience increased effects of this medication.

If you are hypothyroid or are being monitored for thyroid function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Vision problems: Corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray may cause glaucoma or cataracts. Report any vision changes to your doctor immediately. If you have glaucoma or cataracts, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Wound healing: Corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray can impair the ability of wounds to heal. This medication should be avoided if you have recently had nasal surgery or nasal trauma until wounds have completely healed. Pregnancy: The safety of fluticasone propionate nasal spray during pregnancy has not been established. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if fluticasone propionate passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are using this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children less than 4 years of age and should not be used by children under 4 years old. Long-term use of fluticasone propionate nasal spray is not recommended for children under 12 years old.

Consult a doctor before using this medication for children and adolescents less than 18 years old. If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed. Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter non-prescription , and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. If you use the spray for hay fever, it's best to start using it at least a couple of weeks before hay fever season starts.

Many people notice they get symptoms at about the same time each year. If you are using fluticasone drops to shrink nasal polyps, it is important to follow the instructions and use the drops each day. You may not see any improvement for a few weeks. If your symptoms do not improve after 4 to 6 weeks, tell your doctor.

They may want to change your medicine. If you buy fluticasone nasal spray from a pharmacy or supermarket, check the leaflet that comes with the medicine. This will tell you how long you can use it for. This is usually between 1 and 3 months. If you are prescribed fluticasone nasal spray, your doctor may advise you to use it for longer. If you are using fluticasone drops to shrink nasal polyps, your doctor will tell you how long to use them for. It will usually be for several weeks.

Fluticasone nasal spray and drops are unlikely to have any lasting harmful effects if you follow the instructions that come with your medicine, or use it as your doctor recommends. This is to make sure the steroid is not affecting their growth. The nasal spray or drops deliver a small amount of steroid medicine exactly where you need it. This limits the amount of steroid reaching the rest of your body.

It also keeps the risk of side effects as low as possible. There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking fluticasone will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you are trying to get pregnant. Fluticasone does not interfere with any types of contraception including the combined pill or emergency contraception. For most people, using fluticasone nasal spray or drops will not affect their ability to drive a car or cycle.

Page last reviewed: 16 March Next review due: 16 March Fluticasone nasal spray and drops - Brand names: Flixonase, Avamys, Nasofan On this page About fluticasone nasal spray or drops Key facts Who can and cannot use fluticasone nasal spray or drops How and when to use it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About fluticasone nasal spray or drops Fluticasone nasal nose spray is a steroid nasal spray for cold-like symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis. It also comes as an inhaler and as a cream or ointment.

Read about: fluticasone inhalers - for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD fluticasone skin creams - for skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?

You need to use fluticasone regularly for it to work. It works by reducing swelling and irritation in your nose. The most common side effects are an unpleasant taste or smell, nosebleeds and a dry or sore throat. Not all brands are suitable for children. It's important that your child only uses the spray prescribed for them. Some nasal sprays contain fluticasone mixed with an antihistamine. Brand names include Dymista. Most adults can use fluticasone nasal spray. To make sure the nasal spray or drops are safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you: are allergic to fluticasone or any other medicines are taking or have recently taken other corticosteroid medicines have had nose surgery have an infection in your nose are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

How to use the spray Fluticasone nasal spray needs to be used regularly for it to work. Remove the cap and gently shake the bottle. Blow your nose gently, then close 1 nostril with your finger. Bend your head forward slightly and carefully put the nozzle into your other nostril.

Slowly breathe in through your nose and with your fingers press down on the widest part of the nozzle to squirt the spray once into your nostril. Breathe out through your mouth. Follow steps 3 and 4 again to squirt a second spray if you need it into the same nostril. Repeat the process with the other nostril if you need it.

How to use the drops Fluticasone drops come in small plastic containers called "nasules". Follow the instructions that come with your nasal drops. Blow your nose gently. Follow the pictures in the manufacturer's leaflet to get your head into the right position. Carefully put the container into 1 nostril and gently squeeze. Keep squeezing until the sides of the container touch each other, then release. This will mean that you've had about half of the dose about 6 drops. Follow steps 3 and 4 again to use the rest of the drops in your other nostril.

Do not keep the container. Only use it once. Will my dose go up or down? What if I forget to use it? Try priming your bottle. It may take a few pumps to get the dispenser spraying again.

You can clean it following the directions in the Quick Start Guide that came in the package, or by watching the video here. Unlike an antihistamine pill, which only blocks histamine, FLONASE products work by helping to block 6 inflammatory allergic substances. In fact, barely any of it travels through your body. If you feel severe pain in your face, have thick nasal discharge, or think you may have a sinus infection, stop using your FLONASE products and contact your doctor.

Priming your bottle is important because it helps you get a full dose. And getting a full dose is important for getting the relief you deserve. You may have an infection. Ask your doctor what medicine to take for your asthma. OK Cancel. Where to Buy. Select Location and Language:. Canada EN.