Flonase Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Flonase is the brand name for fluticasone propionate, which is prescribed to patients suffering from nasal symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergies or non-allergic rhinitis. Rhinitis is inflammation of the lining of the nose, which results in stuffy, runny, or itchy nasal passages and excessive sneezing.^[1]

Flonase is categorized as a corticosteroid. It is used to prevent and decrease inflammation ad swelling in the nose.^[2] Flonase users are directed to blow the nose softly before administration, and to breathe in while spraying. Flonase works best with regular use.

Potential Flonase side effects include headache, irritation of the mucous membranes, runny nose, and flu-like symptoms.^[3]

Contents 1 Common Flonase Side Effects 2 About Drug Side Effects 3 Flonase Allergic Reactions 4 Flonase Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Flonase Side Effects

In clinical research, the most common Flonase side effect was headache.^[3] It is also common for Flonase to cause dryness or irritation of the nasal passages.^[4]

Some patients may also experience abdominal pain, other aches and pains, bronchitis, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, flu-like symptoms, and runny nose. These symptoms appeared in fewer than 3% of patients in clinical trials. ^[3]

Serious Flonase side effects, which may require immediate medical attention, include contact dermatitis; cataracts, glaucoma, or increased intraocular pressure; nasal septum perforation; and wheezing.^[3]

About Drug Side Effects

Flonase Allergic Reactions

The use of Flonase is contraindicated for patients with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to fluticasone propionate or to any other nasal corticosteriod. Hypersensitive reactions can include anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, dyspnea, edema of the face and tongue, pruritus, skin rash, urticaria, and wheezing.^[1] In rare cases, allergies to Flonase and other drugs can cause serious harm or even death.

Flonase Precautions and Warnings

• Flonase is known to cause interactions when mixed with ritonavir, which is used to treat HIV infection or AIDS. ^[3]
• Flonase can decrease the body’s ability to fight infection, especially chicken pox and measles. ^[2]
• Flonase is classified as FDA pregnancy category C, which means that animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, yet there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans. It is not known if Flonase will harm an unborn baby or if Flonase can pass through breast milk in nursing mothers.
• In rare cases, Flonase may stunt growth in children when used for a prolonged time span.^[4]
• Flonase may not be recommended for those experiencing certain medical conditions, such as nose injury (including nasal surgery), tuberculosis, herpes of the eye, cataracts, glaucoma or other eye diseases.^[4]
• Extended Flonase use may occasionally affect the body's ability to handle physical injury. Therefore, patients anticipating surgery (including dental surgery) are cautioned to discuss their Flonase use with the operating physician. Similarly, those who are injured while using Flonase are advised to inform their caregiver of use habits.^[4]

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References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=d4a424f4-5661-41da-31ae-304d79fd16ad
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000953/
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_flonase.pdf
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-1474-Flonase+Nasl.aspx?drugid=1474&drugname=Flonase+Nasl