Flonase (fluticasone) is a nasal spray that is useful for seasonal and perennial allergies. Although this drug cannot cure allergies, Flonase can help relieve symptoms such as swelling of the nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, or itching. This drug is a corticosteroid, and repeated misuse of it can increase the risk of side effects. However, with a little understanding of the information and caution, you can manage allergy symptoms, without having to experience the side effects of medications.
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Part 1 of 4: Preparing to Use Flonase
Step 1. Learn how Flonase works
This medication is a corticosteroid that blocks the release of allergy-causing chemicals. The effect of this drug is specific to symptoms caused by allergies, and cannot relieve similar symptoms caused by other things. For example, Flonase can treat colds caused by allergies, but cannot treat colds caused by the flu. In the past, this medication would have been prescribed by your doctor if you had allergy symptoms that didn't respond to over-the-counter medications. However, currently, Flonase is over-the-counter and may be available at your local pharmacy.
Intranasal steroids (intranasal steroids, INS) such as Flonase have an effect on many inflammatory compounds and will help prevent the body from producing them, whereas antihistamines only inhibit the release of histamine
Step 2. Know the side effects
The side effects of this drug are divided into two types. Because Flonase is used as a nasal spray, you may experience nosebleeds, headaches, sneezing, and a dry or irritated nose and throat. Because Flonase is a corticosteroid, you may develop upper respiratory infections, cataracts or glaucoma, and growth retardation in children who take it long term. Rare side effects include diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Nosebleeds are the most common side effect of using Flonase.
- See your doctor if you experience other side effects from taking this medicine, such as cough, fever, headache or muscle aches, sore throat, or fatigue.
Step 3. Consult the use of other medications with your doctor or pharmacist
Tell all the drugs you use, both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Include all vitamins, supplements, nutrients, and herbal products you are taking or have recently used. Your doctor and pharmacist will review the medicines you are taking to make sure drug interactions do not occur. Some drugs (HIV drugs and antifungals, for example) can interact negatively with Flonase. So you and your doctor should have a plan in place to manage those interactions, or change treatments. This treatment change may be simple, simply by changing the dose and monitoring the side effects.
Step 4. Share your medical history with your doctor
Flonase may also cause unwanted side effects if you have or have previously had certain health problems. If your immune system is weak, taking corticosteroids can decrease your body's ability to fight infection. So, share your complete medical history with your doctor. Be sure to emphasize any of the following health concerns/conditions that are known to interact negatively with Flonase:
- Cataract (clouding of the lens of the eye)
- Glaucoma (impaired eye fluid pressure)
- No sores on the nose
- Any kind of infection that is not treated
- Herpes infection of the eye
- Recent nose surgery or injury
- Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (a type of infection)
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using Flonase, contact your doctor immediately.
Part 2 of 4: Using Flonase Correctly
Step 1. Use as recommended
Using the right medication is very important to minimize its side effects. Read the instructions for use on the Flonase package and follow the dosage instructions, or follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly. Ask questions you don't understand to make sure you can use this medication properly.
Do not use Flonase more or less than the amount/frequency prescribed by the doctor
Step 2. Do not swallow Flonase
The nose and throat are connected so that the nasal spray sometimes drips behind the mouth or throat. However, Flonase should not be swallowed as it can cause unwanted side effects. Instead of swallowing it, remove Flonase from your mouth and then rinse your mouth.
Also, be careful not to get Flonase in your eyes or mouth. Rinse eyes or mouth thoroughly if splashed with Flonase spray
Step 3. Be patient
Do not expect this drug to immediately cure all allergy symptoms. Your allergy symptoms may lessen after the first 12 hours. However, it may take several days for this medication to take full effect. Give it a few days for the effects of Flonase to be felt, and use it regularly according to the schedule in the recipe. You should continue to take fluticasone even if you feel better, or your symptoms will return. Do not stop using the drug without consulting your doctor first. After a while, your doctor may recommend lowering your dose.
Step 4. Report side effects immediately
Reporting side effects immediately will help your doctor figure out how to adjust your treatment. Be especially careful if you take this medicine in excess or if you have sensitivities. Side effects of Flonase in general are headache, dry or sore nasal passages, nosebleeds, dizziness, upper respiratory infections, nausea, and vomiting. If any of these side effects are severe, contact your doctor immediately. If you experience any of the following severe side effects, stop using the drug and call your doctor:
- Swelling of the face, neck, soles or ankles
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Breath sounds (wheezing)
- Fatigue
- Bidur
- Fever
- Bruises for no reason.
Part 3 of 4: Using Flonase the Right Way
Step 1. Shake the medicine bottle slowly
To avoid accidentally spraying the medication, shake the bottle before opening the spray cap. The medicinal liquid mixture sometimes separates slightly, and with a shake, the ingredients in it can be redistributed. This step is very important in the use of drugs. Open the spray bottle cap after you have finished shaking it.
Step 2. Prepare the pump in advance if necessary
Before using Flonase for the first time, or after a period of not using it, you should prepare the bottle pump first. Hold the pump bottle vertically with your index and middle fingers. Meanwhile, hold the bottom of the bottle with your thumb. Then, point the nozzle away from your face and body.
- Before using the new Flonase package for the first time, press the pump 6 times to lower the pressure inside.
- To prepare a bottle you've used before, simply press and release the pump until the liquid that comes out of the bottle looks smooth.
Step 3. Blow your nose
Before using nasal spray, you must first clean the nasal cavity. Or, the medicine will be trapped in front of the nostril and reduce its effectiveness. So, blow your nose until it's completely clean.
Do not blow your nose after using the spray
Step 4. Position the nozzle in the nostril
Point your head slightly forward, and insert the nozzle into one nostril. Make sure the Flonase bottle remains upright, and close the other hole with your finger. You should place the bottle pump between your middle and index fingers, and hold the base with your thumb.
Step 5. Spray the medicine
Inhale through your nose while pressing on the pump to inject the medication into your nostrils. Inhale as usual through your nostrils, but exhale through your mouth. Thus, the drug will not be blown out again. Repeat this step on the other nostril.
Step 6. Keep the nozzle clean
Dirty nozzles can increase the chance of infection if the medication is used repeatedly. So, after each use of the drug, wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue and replace the protective film. Also, wash the nozzle with warm water at least once a week. Open the bottle cap, then pull the end of the spray hole to release it from the bottle. Wash the cap and nozzle with warm water. Dry at room temperature, then reattach to the medicine bottle.
Part 4 of 4: Be Careful While Using Flonase
Step 1. Report your illness immediately
Flonase is a corticosteroid that can decrease the body's ability to fight infection. So you have to be very careful while using it. If you fall ill, tell your doctor right away. You should also give your doctor a complete list of the medicines you are taking. Remember to include inhaled fluticasone/spray on the list.
Step 2. Avoid germs that cause infection and disease
Wash your hands often, and stay away from people who are sick, especially people with measles or chickenpox. Tell your doctor right away if you notice that you have spent time around someone who is infected with one of these viruses.
Step 3. Report use of Flonase before undergoing surgery or emergency treatment
Although rare, long-term use of corticosteroids will decrease the body's ability to deal with physical stress. So, your doctor should know if you are taking Flonase before undergoing surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment.
Tips
- Flonase is a type of steroid called a "corticosteroid". Fluticasone effect by inhibiting several types of cells and chemical compounds that cause allergic, immune, and inflammatory responses due to excessive activity. When used as an inhaler or spray, this drug will come into direct contact with the mucous lining of the nose and is only slightly absorbed by other parts of the body.
- If you are taking oral steroids (capsules or tablets), your doctor may need to gradually lower your steroid dose after starting fluticasone (a corticosteroid).
- Be aware that your body will be more susceptible to stresses such as surgery, illness, severe asthma attack, or injury while taking fluticasone.
- Record the frequency of use of the drug, and throw away the packaging of the medicine that you have sprayed 120 times. Throw away the medicine package even if there is still liquid in it.
- You may need to be more careful as your body adjusts to a reduced dose of steroid medication. Other illnesses, such as arthritis or eczema, may get worse if your oral steroid dose is reduced.
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Tell your doctor if your allergy symptoms get worse, or if you experience any of the following symptoms while taking fluticasone:
- Extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, or pain;
- Sudden pain in the abdomen, lower body or legs;
- Loss of appetite; weight loss; stomach ache; gag; diarrhea;
- dizzy; faint;
- depression; easy to get angry;
- a yellowish discoloration of the skin (jaundice).
