Flonase®

What is Flonase?

Flonase is a nasal spray that contains fluticasone propionate, a type of corticosteroid. Fluticasone can help reduce nasal polyps and ease congestion, which can reduce pain and allow you to breathe easier when you have sinusitis.

Sinusitis can occur for lots of different reasons. It can be triggered by allergens like dust or pet hair, smoking, or as a result of having a cold. This can sometimes lead to infections, which can be both viral or bacterial. Although Flonase can’t directly clear infections, it can help relieve pain and inflammation in your sinuses whatever the cause is.

Who can use Flonase?

Flonase is for adults with sinusitis, a condition that causes your sinuses to become inflamed. This usually leads to facial pain and pressure, and is often accompanied by a build up of mucus.

Spraying Flonase into each nostril once or twice a day can reduce inflammation in your nasal passages and sinuses, allowing your sinuses to drain and make it easier for you to breathe. This can relieve your symptoms and treat any discomfort you experience when you have a sinusitis flare-up.

How does Flonase work?

Fluticasone, the active ingredient in Flonase, works by calming inflammation. It does this by blocking the immune response that can create sinusitis symptoms, such as swelling and itchiness.

Sinusitis is often triggered by allergies,^[1] and shares similar symptoms with rhinitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the mucous membranes in your nose. Flonase can treat both allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, which means it can relieve sinus pressure and pain whether it’s caused by allergens or not.

Are there different doses of Flonase?

Flonase is available in one dose, which delivers 50mcg of fluticasone per spray.

You usually spray one spray in each nostril twice a day, which means taking 200mcg a day. Your physician might advise you to use it more than this if the standard dose isn’t working well enough to ease your sinusitis.

How to take Flonase

Before you start using your Flonase spray, you’ll first need to prime it. To do this, shake the bottle gently and then remove the dust cover. Point the applicator away from you, and release one spray into the air.

To use the spray:

• clear your nostrils by blowing your nose;
• insert the applicator into one nostril, keeping the other closed;
• press firmly on the applicator while breathing in through your nostril; then:
• breathe out through your mouth.

Repeat these steps whenever you need to use your Flonase spray. After every dose, wipe the applicator clean and replace the dust cover.