How does fluticasone work?
Fluticasone nasal spray and drops are a corticosteroid (steroid) medicine.
Fluticasone nasal spray is used to prevent and treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis and hay fever. It does this by reducing the swelling and irritation in your nose and helping to relieve itching, sneezing and a blocked or runny nose.
It can take a little longer to work than antihistamine nasal sprays but the effects last for longer.
If you have nasal polyps, fluticasone drops work by reducing swelling and irritation in your nose to shrink the polyps and help relieve itching, sneezing and a blocked nose.
When will I feel better?
You will not notice an immediate improvement in your symptoms when you first start using fluticasone nasal spray. This is because it takes a few days for it to take full effect.
Tell your doctor if you feel no better after using the spray for 7 days.
For some people it can take 2 weeks or more to get the maximum benefits.
If you use the spray for hay fever, it's best to start using it at least a couple of weeks before hay fever season starts. Many people notice they get symptoms at about the same time each year.
If you're using fluticasone drops to shrink nasal polyps, it's important to follow the instructions and use the drops each day. You may not see any improvement for a few weeks. If your symptoms do not improve after 4 to 6 weeks, tell your doctor. They may want to change your medicine.
Are there any long-term side effects?
Fluticasone nasal spray and drops are unlikely to have any lasting harmful effects if you follow the instructions that come with your medicine, or use it as your doctor recommends.
However, children and teenagers may need to have their height and weight monitored carefully if they're using high doses of a steroid nasal spray, like fluticasone, for a long time. This is to make sure the steroid is not affecting their growth.
The nasal spray or drops deliver a small amount of steroid medicine exactly where you need it. This limits the amount of steroid reaching the rest of your body. It also keeps the risk of side effects as low as possible.
Do I need a steroid card?
If you're using steroid medicines such as fluticasone, your adrenal glands may not make as much of some of the hormones your body needs such as cortisol (known as the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency.
It's more likely to happen if you take high doses for a long time (especially tablets and injections) or if you regularly use different kinds of steroids at the same time (such as a steroid nasal spray and a steroid inhaler).
Your doctor or pharmacist will assess your risk of adrenal insufficiency based on the type and dose of steroids you're taking and may recommend that you carry a steroid emergency card (red card). This card is the size of a credit card and fits in your wallet or purse.
Important
If you need any medical or dental treatment, or are having surgery or an invasive procedure, show your steroid emergency card to your doctor or dentist. This is important so they know you're having steroid treatment and can give you extra steroids as needed.
Will it affect my contraception?
Fluticasone does not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill or emergency contraception.
Can I drive or ride a bike?
For most people, using fluticasone nasal spray or drops will not affect their ability to drive a car or cycle.
Can I drink alcohol while using fluticasone nasal spray or drops?
Yes, you can drink alcohol while using fluticasone.
Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?
No. This medicine is not affected by what you eat or drink.