Flonase Allergy Relief: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF used for?

• FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF is an effective medicine that relieves seasonal (i.e. hay fever) and year-round allergy symptoms caused by pollen, mold, dust and pets.
• FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF relieves these allergy symptoms: sneezing; itchy nose and throat; runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. It also relieves nasal congestion and sinus pain and pressure.

How does FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF work?

FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF works directly within your nose and nasal passages to help reduce your allergic reaction at the source to relieve the symptoms that make you uncomfortable.

FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF controls several key inflammatory substances (histamine, chemokines, leukotrienes, cytokines, tryptases and prostaglandins) your body releases when you have an allergic reaction, whereas most non-prescription allergy medications will only act on one of these substances (i.e. histamine).

Because of the way it works, it may take several days for FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF to reach maximum effect. That’s why it’s best to use FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF regularly, once a day as directed.

What are the ingredients in FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF?

Medicinal ingredients: fluticasone propionate (a corticosteroid)

Non-medicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, dextrose, microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium, phenylethyl alcohol, polysorbate 80, and purified water.

FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF comes in the following dosage forms:

FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF comes in a nasal spray device that will deliver either 60 or 120 sprays. Each spray delivers a mist containing 50 mcg of fluticasone propionate.

Do not use FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF if:

• You are under 18 years of age unless on the advice of a doctor.
• You are allergic to it or any of its ingredients.
• You have an untreated fungal (yeast), bacterial or tuberculosis infection of your respiratory tract.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• Are pregnant (or planning to become pregnant).

• Are breastfeeding a baby.
• Take a medicine for HIV infection (such as ritonavir)
• Suffer from severe liver disease.
• Have been exposed to chickenpox or measles.
• Have a problem with your thyroid.
• Have yellow or green discharge from your nose.
• Have a fever or a nasal or sinus infection.
• Are recovering from recent surgery, trauma or ulcers in your nose.
• Are taking or have previously taken other steroids either as an injection or by mouth.
• Have a blood clotting problem AND are taking Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA).
• Have asthma.
• Have or had a history of any eye disorders such as glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) or cataracts (clouding of the lens in the eye).
• Have an eye infection caused by herpes.

Other warnings you should know about:

• You should avoid coming into contact with measles, chickenpox or tuberculosis while taking FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF. If you are exposed, tell your doctor.

• Drugs like FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF may cause eye disorders:

  • Cataracts: clouding of the lens in the eye, blurry vision, eye pain.
  • Glaucoma: an increased pressure in your eyes, eye pain. Untreated, it may lead to permanent vision loss.
  • Detached retina: blurry vision, dark area in your vision or other changes in vision.
  • Contact your doctor if you experience blurry vision or other vision problems. You should have regular eye exams.

• Slower growth in adolescents (12 – 17 years of age) may occur. You and your doctor should monitor your child’s growth.

FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF is not recommended for continuous, long-term treatment in children.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF:

• Ritonavir (a medicine used to treat HIV infection or AIDS).
• Ketoconazole (a medicine used to treat fungal infections).
• Acetylsalicylic acid (a medicine for pain and fever relief)

How to take FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF:

Do not share this bottle with anyone else as this may spread germs.

For best results, it’s important to get a full dose. Here’s how, in five easy steps.

1 Shake Gently shake spray bottle. Squeeze ribs of green cap and remove.

2 Prime Do this when: Starting new bottle Haven’t used it in a week Just cleaned nozzle Otherwise go to step 3 Aim away from face. Grasp spray bottle as shown. Pump until fine mist appears. Won’t I waste product by priming? It’s not a waste to prime the pump, because it helps you get a full dose. Getting a full dose is important for getting the relief you deserve. Don’t worry about running out due to priming. There is enough medicine in the spray bottle to allow for priming sprays plus the number of sprays labeled on the bottle. Always point the spray bottle away from your face when priming. This table shows roughly how long your bottle will last.

Blow nose gently to clear nostrils
4 Aim Warning - Do not spray in your eyes or mouth. Only for use in your nose.
Close one nostril and put tip of spray nozzle in other nostril.	Put just the tip into your nose.	Aim slightly away from centre of nose.
5 Breathe and spray While sniffing gently, press down on spray nozzle once or twice (according to dosing instructions). You’ll feel a light mist in your nose. Breathe out through your mouth. Repeat in other nostril. Wipe spray nozzle with clean tissue and replace cap. What if I feel stinging in my nose, or I sneeze? Some people may feel a slight stinging, or may sneeze after spraying FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF in their nostrils. This feeling should go away in a few seconds.

Keep It Clean:

A clean spray nozzle helps ensure a full dose. Clean it weekly, or if it’s clogged. Don’t try to unblock nozzle with pin or sharp object— that can damage it.

1 Remove spray nozzle by grasping at base and pulling up.	2 Rinse under running water, and dry at room temperature.
3 Aim away from your face and gently replace spray nozzle until you hear a soft click.	If spray nozzle is clogged, soak in warm water. Then repeat steps 2 and 3.

Usual dose:

FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF works best when you use it daily.

Adults 18 years of age and older:

• Week 1 – use 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, preferably in the morning.
• Week 2 through 3 months – use 1 spray in each nostril once daily if your symptoms are under control.
• After 3 months of daily use – ask your doctor if you can keep using

You may be tempted to stop using FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF when you start to feel better. It’s important you keep using FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF daily as long as you’re exposed to allergens that bother you, like pollen, mold, dust or pet dander. This way you’ll keep feeling relief. For seasonal allergies, FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF works best if it is started before the exposure to allergens occurs.

If your symptoms do not improve within 7 days of starting use or you get new symptoms such as severe facial pain or thick nasal discharge you may have something more than allergies, such as an infection. You should stop treatment and speak with your doctor.

If you suffer allergy symptoms only during certain times, like when pollen levels are high, you may stop using FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF when that time ends.

If you have any difficulties or you are unsure about how or when to take FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose:

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose, do not worry; just use your regular dose the next day. Don’t add an extra dose.

What are possible side effects from using FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF?

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Serious side effects are rare with FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF because it works in your nose and nasal passages. Very little of it travels through your body. However, like all medicines, FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF can cause side effects in some people.

The following are possible side effects you may feel when taking FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

• A dry, irritated or burning sensation in your nose
• Nosebleeds (you may also get streaks of blood when you blow your nose)
• Sneezing, runny nose, congestion
• Soreness, or sores in your nose or mouth
• Headache
• Dry or irritated eyes, blurred vision
• Unpleasant or change in sense of taste and/or smell
• Sore throat, throat irritation, dryness, hoarseness or cough
• You get a constant whistling sound from your nose. This may be a sign of damage inside your nose.

• Slower healing of wounds. Do not use FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF until your nose has healed if you
• Worsening of the symptoms of infections such as existing tuberculosis, fungal, bacterial or parasitic infections or herpes of the eye.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

Storage:

Keep out of reach and sight of children. Your medicine may harm them.

Store between 4° and 30°C. Do not use FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF after the expiry date shown on the pack.

If you want more information about FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website www.flonase.ca, or by calling 1-800-250-8866.

Last Revised JUL 17, 2024