Fluticasone (nasal Spray)

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on July 24, 2023

Fluticasone (floo TIK a sone) is a generic medication prescribed for skin dermatoses (skin conditions that cause itching and swelling) and nonallergic rhinitis (swelling of the tissues in the nose). Fluticasone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

These approved uses differ based on the form of fluticasone your doctor prescribes.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of fluticasone. To find coupons for fluticasone topical* cream, see this article.

* Topical means applied to the skin.

Common questions about fluticasone

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about fluticasone.

Does fluticasone come as an inhaler?

Fluticasone is available as the brand-name inhalers Flovent Diskus and Flovent HFA. Other brand-name inhalers are available that contain fluticasone and another drug. One example is Advair, which contains fluticasone and salmeterol. Generic fluticasone isn’t currently available in inhaler form.

Doctors prescribe fluticasone inhalers to treat asthma in adults and children. The drug helps manage this condition by relieving swelling and damage in the airways.

This article focuses on generic fluticasone nasal spray, topical* ointment, and topical cream. To learn more about fluticasone inhalers and what versions are available, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Topical means applied to the skin.

Is fluticasone available over the counter?

Yes, fluticasone propionate* nasal spray is available over the counter (OTC). It treats allergic rhinitis (a runny, itchy nose due to allergies). It comes as the brand-name drug Flonase Allergy Relief, and as several store brand and generic products. There is also fluticasone furoate,* which is available OTC as Flonase Sensimist Allergy Relief.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about using OTC fluticasone nasal spray.

Topical fluticasone ointment and cream are only available by prescription.

* Fluticasone propionate and fluticasone furoate are two forms of fluticasone. These drugs are very similar, but their uses, side effects, and how they work are a little different. This article focuses on fluticasone propionate.

How does fluticasone work? And how long does it take to start working?

Like other corticosteroids, fluticasone’s mechanism of action (how the drug works) is mimicking (acting like) the hormone cortisol. Your body makes cortisol to help manage itching and swelling. By mimicking the way cortisol works, fluticasone also helps relieve these symptoms.

How long it takes fluticasone to start working can depend on the dosage form and other factors. In general, it can take several days to see a reduction in your symptoms. This timing can vary from person to person.

If you’d like to know more about what to expect with fluticasone treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of fluticasone

Fluticasone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of fluticasone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you use.

To learn more about fluticasone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for fluticasone listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of fluticasone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of fluticasone you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about fluticasone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for fluticasone listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Fluticasone nasal spray’s mild side effects include:

• burning or irritation inside the nose
• headache
• nosebleed
• throat irritation
• mild allergic reaction*

Fluticasone topical† cream’s mild side effects include:

• numbness of the fingers
• skin burning
• skin dryness
• skin itching
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fluticasone” section.
† Topical means applied to the skin.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of fluticasone are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of fluticasone you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about fluticasone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for fluticasone listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, fluticasone’s serious side effects include:

• changes in endocrine (gland and hormone) function
• decreased skin thickness
• skin infection
• severe allergic reaction*

For fluticasone nasal spray, the following serious side effects may also occur:

• glaucoma (increased eye pressure) or cataracts (cloudiness in the lens of the eye)
• perforated septum (a hole in the tissue that divides the nose)
• slowed growth in children
• slow wound healing in the nose
• ulcers (painful sores) or other sores inside the nose
• yeast infections of the nose or throat

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for fluticasone” section.

Uses of fluticasone

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as fluticasone for certain conditions. Approved uses for fluticasone are described below. These uses differ based on the form of fluticasone prescribed.

Use for rhinitis

Doctors may prescribe fluticasone nasal spray for treating nonallergic rhinitis. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 4 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment, but sometimes doctors prescribe it long term.

With nonallergic rhinitis, the inside of the nose becomes swollen or inflamed. There may not be a clear cause, and the condition isn’t related to allergies. But the symptoms are similar to allergies or hay fever, and can include:

• itchiness
• postnasal drip (mucus in the back of the throat)
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing

Doctors may not prescribe fluticasone nasal spray in certain situations, such as if you’ve recently had an ulcer (painful sore), wound, or injury inside the nose.

Use for certain skin conditions

Doctors may prescribe fluticasone topical* ointment or cream for treating skin dermatoses (skin conditions that cause itching and swelling). The ointment is used for this purpose in adults. The cream is used in adults and children ages 3 months and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With skin dermatoses, the skin develops areas that become itchy or inflamed. There are many kinds of dermatoses. Skin conditions can develop due to infection, irritation, or an autoimmune disorder. Fluticasone topical ointment and cream can help relieve symptoms of these skin conditions.

* Topical means applied to the skin.

Interactions and warnings for fluticasone

Below, you’ll find information about fluticasone’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of fluticasone

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use fluticasone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for fluticasone” section below.

Warnings for fluticasone

Some people should not use fluticasone, and others should use it cautiously.

Fluticasone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether fluticasone is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of fluticasone you use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for fluticasone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any infections and any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Fluticasone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to fluticasone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe fluticasone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to fluticasone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of fluticasone

You should not use more fluticasone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much fluticasone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and fluticasone

Information about fluticasone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Fluticasone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether fluticasone should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Fluticasone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether fluticasone should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about fluticasone or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does fluticasone compare with other medications that could treat my condition?
• How should I use fluticasone?
• How long should I use fluticasone for my condition?

Resources

• Fluticasone propionate — fluticasone propionate cream. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/14c8d082-b301-8f09-a509-950459ae0a28/spl-doc
• Fluticasone propionate — fluticasone propionate ointment. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e7ef2aaf-749c-66c9-2bdf-7214ab00060e/spl-doc
• Fluticasone propionate — fluticasone propionate spray, metered. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/76f54eb2-0c12-4981-acbe-baa9c4ee02b6/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.