What do Flonase products treat?
Flonase products are used to treat symptoms caused by allergies. The main active ingredient in most Flonase products is fluticasone. Flonase products that contain fluticasone can help relieve nasal congestion, itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose or throat, runny nose, and sneezing. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid that can help lower the inflammation in your nose by blocking certain inflammatory substances.
Flonase products may alternatively contain the following to treat other symptoms. Click on an ingredient below if you need more information about it.
- Pain reliever (acetaminophen) for aches, pains, and headaches
- Antihistamine (chlorpheniramine or triprolidine) for itchy/watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and itching of the nose or throat
- Decongestant (phenylephrine) for nasal and sinus congestion
There are Flonase products for adults and children as young as 2 years old.
What should I know before using Flonase products?
Read the label of the Flonase product you use to make sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients. Use Flonase as directed and do not use more than the recommended dose. Flonase products are available as nasal sprays, as well as tablets and caplets you take by mouth. Flonase nasal sprays are inhaled into your nose; do not spray into your eyes or mouth. Do not share the nasal spray products with other people, as this may increase the risk of spreading germs.
Flonase nasal spray products may cause some side effects, which include headache, sneezing, nosebleeds, and dry or irritated nose or throat. Stop using Flonase nasal products if you have a constant whistling sound coming from your nose or severe nosebleeds that keep happening, as this may be a sign of nose damage. Using Flonase nasal spray products may increase your risk of developing eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts. If you notice any changes in your vision, including cloudy vision, stop using the nasal spray and call your health care provider. Stop using Flonase nasal spray and call your health care provider if your symptoms do not get better within seven days of using the medicine or you develop new symptoms such as severe facial pain or thick nasal discharge.
Do not use Flonase nasal spray products to treat asthma symptoms or if you have an injury or surgery to your nose that has not healed. Before using Flonase nasal spray products, ask your health care provider if you have glaucoma or cataracts. Flonase nasal products may affect the growth rate in some children. Talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about this or if your child is between 2 and 11 years of age and if your child needs to use Flonase nasal spray for two months or more. Before using Flonase nasal spray, talk to your health care provider if you are taking a medicine for HIV, a steroid medicine for asthma, allergies, or skin rash, or a medicine called ketoconazole, which is used to treat infections caused by fungus.
Some Flonase products are available as tablets and caplets to take by mouth. These products contain an antihistamine, which can cause drowsiness, especially if taken with alcohol or medicines that can make you sleepy, such as tranquilizers or sedatives. It is recommended to avoid alcoholic beverages while taking by-mouth Flonase products. Be careful when driving or operating heavy machinery when taking by-mouth Flonase products. Children who take by-mouth Flonase products may experience the opposite effect and may have excitability. Read the specific instructions on the by-mouth Flonase product you take, to see if you have a health condition or are taking a specific medicine, that you may have to talk to your health care provider about before taking Flonase.
There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Flonase product you are using. Always check the label before taking any Flonase product. Talk to a pharmacist or healthcare provider about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which Flonase products are safe for you.
Which Flonase product is right for my symptoms?
Use the tables below to help you find the best product to treat your symptoms
Nasal congestion, itchy/watery eyes, itchy nose, runny nose, sneezing
Active ingredient:
- Corticosteroid: fluticasone
| Product | Flonase Sensimist |
| Age | 2 years and older |
| Formulation | Nasal spray |
| Dosing Frequency | Every 24 hours |
| Product | Flonase Allergy Relief |
| Age | 4 years and older |
| Formulation | Nasal spray |
| Dosing Frequency | Every 24 hours |
| Product | Children’s Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief |
| Age | 2 years and older |
| Formulation | Nasal spray |
| Dosing Frequency | Every 24 hours |
| Product | Children’s Flonase Allergy Relief |
| Age | 4 years and older |
| Formulation | Nasal spray |
| Dosing Frequency | Every 24 hours |
Headache, minor aches and pains, itchy throat, nasal congestion, sinus congestion and pressure, runny nose, sneezing, itchy/watery eyes
Active ingredients:
- Pain Reliever: acetaminophen
- Antihistamine: chlorpheniramine
- Nasal decongestant: phenylephrine
| Product | Flonase Headache & Allergy Relief |
| Age | 12 years and older |
| Formulation | Caplet |
| Dosing Frequency | Every 4 to 6 hours |
Sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, itchy/watery eyes
Active ingredient:
- Antihistamine: triprolidine
| Product | Flonase Nighttime Allergy Relief |
| Age | 12 years and older |
| Formulation | Tablet |
| Dosing Frequency | Every 4 to 6 hours |