Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray

Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray is a liquefied suspension of superfine fluticasone propionate that is administered topically to the nasal mucus using a metering spray pump.

Fluticasone Propionate

As the parent drug of Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray, this synthetic corticosteroid has anti-inflammatory capability that treats asthma, allergic rhinitis which is also called hay fever, and perennial non-allergic rhinitis with symptoms that include sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and swelling or inflammation of the nasal cavity.

Fluticasone propionate is characterized with white to off-white powder formulation. It is insoluble in water, but is soluble in components like dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, methanol and ethanol.

It can also treat eosinophilic esophagitis and other nasal symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis. It usually comes as a liquid spray to the nasal area, and great care must be done not to mistakenly spray it into the eyes.

Recently, it is also made available in a cream formulation and used to treat eczema and psoriasis.



Dosage Individualization

For optimum benefit, patients must use at regularized intervals the Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray.

Oftentimes Adults will begin with of a couple hundred mcg once per day or two sprays of 50 mcg. Another alternative dosage is one hundred mcg twice per day or one spray of 50 mcg twice per day.

Pediatric patients, who are four years old and above, must start with 100 mcg of dosage in each nostril with one spray once daily.

Each patient (whether adult or pediatric) has varying time of onset and degree of relief from symptoms. Some experience a remarkable decrease of nasal symptoms after 12 hours of treatment, while others take several days.

The total maximum dosage every day must not exceed the recommended two sprays per nostril or 200 mcg per day.

Indications and Contraindications

Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray has been used as the main purpose of managing the nasal symptoms of rhinitis, as well as non–allergic rhinitis in adult and pediatric patients (4 years old and above). Children 4 years old and younger are not allowed to take the medication because the safe and effective use of the product has not yet been established.

Patients with hypersensitivity to fluticasone nasal spray show contraindications.

General Precautions and Warnings

Intranasal corticosteroids have been associated with reduced growth velocity in pediatric patients.

There are rare yet immediate manifestations of contact dermatitis or hypersensitivity reactions that may occur. It may also lead to wheezing and nasal cavity issues, as well as glaucoma, cataracts and an increase in intra ocular pressure.

Excessive dosage of these types of corticosteroids may result to signs of hypercorticism. Minimal effects are noted with the recommended doses. However, larger doses pose a potential risk to patients, therefore they must be avoided.

In case of systemic corticosteroid effects, usage of the product must be slowly discontinued in a consistent manner with the accepted governing procedures to be employed when discontinuing any oral corticosteroid treatment.

Clinical studies show that when fluticasone propionate is administered through an intranasal way, localized nasal infections may develop. When any such infection occurs, appropriate local treatment and discontinued use of the product must be done.

Patients who have used the product for several months or more must be periodically examined for any evidence of Candida infections and/or other adverse reactions on the nasal mucosa. Caution must be practiced in using corticosteroids that are intranasal, especially for those patients who are diagnosed with active tuberculosis-related respiratory tract infections, untreated systemic fungal, bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, and herpes simplex of the eyes.

Patients who have recently undergone nasal surgery, nasal ulcers or even nasal trauma must avoid using a fluticasone propionate corticosteroid because of its inhibitory effect on the process of wound healing.

Additional Information for Patients’ Use

Priming the atomized, metered spray pump of the Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray before initial use is vitally important. Each bottle that contains 16 grams of the formulation is able to give 120 metered sprays. The amount per actuation after the 120 sprays may become inconsistent so the product must be discarded by then.

There are patients who have experienced certain symptoms like withdrawal, stress, joint and muscular pains, and other psychologically-related ones such as depression. Those with asthma or like conditions may experience a worse exacerbation of the symptoms.

The immune system is greatly jeopardized, making the patients more prone to infections compared to healthy persons who are not using the product. Therefore particular care must be taken to avoid certain exposure to complications like chickenpox and measles, but just in case exposure to each condition occurs, it is necessary to consult with a doctor immediately to prevent a worsened situation.

Pregnant or lactating women must refrain from using the product without consulting with their physician. Those with allergic tendencies to corticosteroids, as well as those who are taking medication for AIDS or HIV infection, must do likewise.

Using Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray

Here are the things to remember when using your Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray.

First, shake the bottle gently. Take off the dust cap and the safety clip.

Second, use the nasal spray per the doctor’s instruction or as indicated on the label. Take extra precaution not to spray it into your eyes. Using a clean tissue, wipe the nasal applicator then replace the dust cap and the safety clip.

Third, keep the nasal spray out of children’s reach.

Best results can be acquired through regular use of the spray. If the symptoms seem to have disappeared, you must contact your doctor for some further instructions.

If other symptoms are triggered such as itchy and watery eyes, let your doctor know so he may give additional medication to deal with such.

If for instance you miss a dose, then just follow your regular schedule and do not attempt to double the dose. Stop using the nasal spray after the “EXP” date shown as on the label or box.

Clean the nasal spray at least once a week and store it between 4° and 30°C.

POINT TO REMEMBER: Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray has been specifically prescribed for you by your doctor. DO NOT ever attempt to give or self-prescribe the medicine to somebody else.