Flonase

Flonase is an anti-inflammatory nasal spray used to relieve the nasal symptoms of seasonal and year-round allergies. It helps reduce the inflammation that leads to symptoms that include congestion, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose. The active ingredient in Flonase is fluticasone propionate.

• Flonase gives you 24-hour, multi-symptom relief of nasal symptoms.
• Flonase means less congestion, sneezing, and itchy, runny nose due to your pesky allergy triggers like pollen, dust mites, and animal dander.
• Flonase means you can go through the day, either outdoors or indoors, without constantly sneezing or blowing your nose.
• Flonase is not habit forming like some non-prescription nasal sprays. And with Flonase, you avoid the drowsiness or sleeplessness you can have with some allergy medications.

Flonase is approved for the treatment of seasonal and year-round nasal allergy symptoms, and year-round non-allergy nasal symptoms, in people as young as 4.

Additionally, Flonase provides effective relief for people with year-round non-allergy nasal symptoms. People with this nasal condition suffer from stuffiness, runny nose, and postnasal drip triggered by exposure to strong smells, harsh chemicals, or changes in humidity, temperature, and air pressure.

USES
This is a nasal corticosteroid that works directly on nasal tissue to reduce swelling and inflammation. The medication is used to treat itching, runny nose, postnasal drip, nasal congestion and sneezing in people with a history of rhinitis.

DIRECTIONS
To get the most benefit from Flonase, make sure you understand how to use the nasal spray properly. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use the pump and nasal adapter. Shake gently before each use. Before using the medication for the first time, the unit must be "primed" with 3 to 4 pumps of the spray. Use Flonase exactly as prescribed. Do not use more than two sprays in each nostril daily. It may take a few days before the benefits of the medication are noticed. If no improvement occurs after several days, notify your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS
The more common side effects are nose bleeding, blood in nasal mucus, or nasal burning or irritation. Less common or rare occurrences are headache, sneezing, runny nose, nasal dryness, congestion, or stomach upset. If these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Long-term use of nasal steroids may cause fungal infections of the nose or throat. Inform your doctor if you develop an infection. The medication may be discontinued while the infection is treated. Very unlikely to occur but report: vision problems, headache, increased thirst or urination, unusual weakness, weight loss, nausea, dizziness. In the very unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: any allergies, eye problems (glaucoma), infections, recent nasal surgery, nasal sores. If you are prescribed doses higher than those usually recommended, avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles. If you do become exposed, notify your doctor promptly. Though very unlikely, it is possible Flonase will be absorbed into your bloodstream. This may have undesirable consequences that may require additional corticosteroid treatment. This is especially true for children and for those who have used this for an extended period if they also have serious medical problems such as serious infections, injuries or surgeries. This precaution applies for up to one year after stopping use of this drug. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Flonase should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if this drug is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Caution is advised in children as this drug may affect growth patterns. Consult child's doctor. Avoid use in children under 4.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Tell your doctor of all other prescription or nonprescription medicines you use, especially of: other nasal products (such as cold products), other corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), antibiotics. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

NOTES
Do not share Flonase with others. Watering or itching eyes often associated with allergies are not significantly relieved by Flonase. Inform all your doctors you use (or have used) Flonase.

MISSED DOSE
Use the missed dose as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. If so, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the doses to catch up.

STORAGE
Store at room temperature and keep away from moisture and sunlight.

For Professionals:

Fluticasone propionate, the active component of FLONASE Nasal Spray, is a synthetic corticosteroid having the chemical name S-(fluoromethyl)6a,9-difluoro-11?-17-dihydroxy-16a-methyl-3-oxoandrosta- 1,4-diene-17?-carbothioate, 17-propionate and the following chemical structure:

Fluticasone propionate is a white to off-white powder with a molecular weight of 500.6, and the empirical formula is C₂₅H₃₁F₃O₅S. It is practically insoluble in water, freely soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide, and slightly soluble in methanol and 95% ethanol.

FLONASE Nasal Spray, 50 mcg is an aqueous suspension of microfine fluticasone propionate for topical administration to the nasal mucosa by means of a metering, atomizing spray pump. FLONASE Nasal Spray also contains microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrose, 0.02% w/w benzalkonium chloride, polysorbate 80, and 0.25% w/w phenylethyl alcohol, and has a pH between 5 and 7.