How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Fluticasone propionate belongs to the class of medications called corticosteroids. It is used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis, including hay fever, and perennial rhinitis. It can be used to manage symptoms such as sinus pain and pressure associated with allergic rhinitis. It may take 2 to 3 days for the medication to reach its full effect. For some people the full effect will not be reached for as long as 2 weeks.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Each metered spray of white-to-off-white, milky suspension, contains 50 µg of fluticasone propionate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride (as a preservative), carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, phenylethyl alcohol, polysorbate 80, and purified water.
How should I use this medication?
For adults and children 12 years and older, the recommended dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. Some people with severe rhinitis may benefit from 2 sprays in each nostril every 12 hours. The maximum daily dose is 4 sprays in each nostril.
For children 4 to 11 years old, the recommended dose is 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril in the morning. The recommended maximum daily dose is 2 sprays in each nostril daily.
Shake the medication gently before using and gently blow your nose to clear your nostrils before each use. For the best results, this medication should be used regularly each day. For seasonal allergies, you should start using this product before the first exposure to the cause of the allergy.
If you are using this medication for the first time or you have not used it for more than 1 week, you will need to "prime" the pump by spraying the pump in the air, away from you, several times or until a fine mist is sprayed from the bottle.
If you are using this medication for the first time or you have not used it for more than 1 week, you will need to "prime" the pump by spraying the pump in the air, away from you, several times or until a fine mist is sprayed from the bottle.
After using the medication, wipe the nozzle with a clean tissue before replacing the cover.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Fluticasone propionate nasal spray should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to fluticasone or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- has untreated fungal, bacterial, or tuberculosis infections of the respiratory tract
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- burning, dryness, or other irritation inside the nose
- change in sense of taste or smell
- cough
- dry or irritated eyes
- headache
- hoarseness
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
- sneezing after using the spray
- sore throat
- throat irritation
- trouble sleeping
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- bloody nasal mucus
- bone pain or decreased range of motion
- eye problems (eye pain, blurred vision)
- getting infections more often than usual; cold or flu-like symptoms
- mood changes (e.g., irritability, aggression, anxiety)
- nasal septum perforation (small holes in the wall between the nostrils)
- nose bleeds
- pain in arms, back, hips, legs, ribs, or shoulders
- signs of depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
- slowed growth in children and adolescents
- slowed wound healing
- sores or ulcers inside the nose or mouth
- symptoms of decreased adrenal function (e.g., tiredness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure)
- symptoms of too much corticosteroid (e.g., weight gain especially around the body and face, "moon face," sweating, thinning of the skin, easy bruising, muscle and bone weakness)
- whistling sound from the nose
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (sudden wheezing or difficulty breathing, chest pain or tightness; hives; swelling of the face, lips, or eyes)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Additional medication: Although fluticasone propionate will control seasonal allergic rhinitis in most cases, an abnormally heavy amount of summer pollen may sometimes require additional treatment, particularly to control eye symptoms. Speak to your doctor if you have been using this medication for 3 weeks and are still experiencing allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Growth in children and adolescents: Corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray may impair the growth of children and adolescents. Your doctor will monitor for this. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Infections: Corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray may worsen existing infections, mask the signs of infection, and cause new infections. If you use this medication for several months or longer, your doctor will monitor you periodically for signs of infection. People who have not had chickenpox or measles or have not been vaccinated against these infections should take special care to avoid exposure to them.
Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication.
Stopping treatment: Under most circumstances, treatment with corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray should be tapered off gradually and not stopped suddenly. In the case of fluticasone propionate nasal spray, this is usually only a concern at high doses. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about stopping regular use of this medication.
Thyroid function: People with an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), may experience increased effects of this medication. If you are hypothyroid or are being monitored for thyroid function, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Vision problems: Corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray may cause glaucoma or cataracts. Report any vision changes to your doctor immediately. If you have glaucoma or cataracts, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Wound healing: Corticosteroids such as fluticasone propionate nasal spray can impair the ability of wounds to heal. This medication should be avoided if you have recently had nasal surgery or nasal trauma until wounds have completely healed.
Pregnancy: The safety of fluticasone propionate nasal spray during pregnancy has not been established. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if fluticasone propionate passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are using this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established for children less than 4 years of age and should not be used by children under 4 years old. Long-term use of fluticasone propionate nasal spray is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Consult a doctor before using this medication for children and adolescents less than 18 years old.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Apo-Fluticasone