Fluticasone Propionate is used to treat and prevent symptoms of:

Hay fever

This is a group of symptoms affecting the nose. People with this type of allergy generally experience symptoms after breathing in an allergy-causing substance. When a sensitive person inhales an allergen, the body’s immune system may react with the following symptoms:

• Cough
• Sneezing
• Puffy and swollen eyelids
• Itching usually in the eyes, mouth, nose, or throat
• Stuffy nose due to blockage or congestion 

Symptoms also may be triggered by common irritants such as:

• Cigarette smoke
• Cosmetics
• Strong odors such as perfume or hair spray and fumes
• Laundry detergents
• Cleaning solutions, pool chlorine, car exhaust, and other air pollutants 

Seasonal allergic rhinitis can occur in summer, spring, and early fall. They are usually caused by sensitivity to airborne mold spores or pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds. 

Perennial allergies 

This is a chronic allergic condition that does not subside throughout the year. This causes nasal congestion and a runny nose. You may feel like you have a permanent cold that won’t go away. Nasal inflammation is the hallmark symptom of perennial allergic rhinitis. You may have some or a combination of the following symptoms:

• Itching
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Nasal obstruction or stuffiness

If your condition has progressed to sinusitis or the growth of abnormal tissue you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Facial pain or fullness
• Headaches
• Bad breath
• Fatigue
• Toothaches
• Decreased sense of smell
• Postnasal drip 
• Your runny nose may be foul-smelling or an abnormal color 

How does the medicine work?

Fluticasone Propionate is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are hormones that are produced naturally by the adrenal glands and have many important functions.

Fluticasone Propionate is a synthetic corticosteroid and is used as a nasal spray to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. When administered into the nose, the drug is absorbed into the cells of the nasal lining. It stops these cells from releasing chemicals that trigger allergic and inflammatory reactions. It relieves the symptoms. It can also help relieve associated eye symptoms like watery, red, and itchy eyes. The nasal spray won’t relieve the symptoms of nasal inflammation straight away and it can take a few days to build up its effect.

How to use this medicine? 

For allergies like hay fever, it is best to start using this prescription a few days before you expect to get symptoms. You should then keep using it regularly all the time you’re still being exposed to the allergen. It is to keep the nasal inflammation under control.

Adults and children aged 12 years and over should use two sprays into each nostril once a day. Once your symptoms are under control you should lessen your dose to one spray in each nostril once a day. The spray should preferably be used in the morning. If your symptoms are very bad your doctor may ask you to use two sprays in each nostril twice a day, to begin with, and reduce to once a day once the symptoms have improved. You should always use the lowest dose needed to relieve your symptoms. Do not use more than your doctor has prescribed.

Children aged 4 to 11 years should use one spray in each nostril once a day. The spray should preferably be used in the morning. If your child’s symptoms are very bad your doctor may ask you to use one spray in each nostril twice a day, to begin with, then reduce to once a day once the symptoms have improved. Follow the instructions given by your doctor. You should always use the lowest dose necessary to relieve your child’s symptoms.

You should shake the bottle gently before use. Before you use the nasal spray for the first time it needs to be primed by pumping it into the air a few times until a fine mist is produced. Hold the bottle upright and away. If you forget to use your nasal spray use it as soon as you remember unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the forgotten dose and take the next dose as normal. Don’t use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Side Effects

 Common side effects:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Nosebleeds
• Sinus infection
• Nasal redness and ulcers
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Mouth pain
• Nasal dryness
• Toothache
• Abdominal discomfort
• Dizziness
• Weight gain 

If these side effects persist or get worse, call your doctor at once, 

Fluticasone Propionate in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women 

The safety of this drug for use during pregnancy has not been established. Only minimal amounts of the medicine pass into the bloodstream after using the nasal spray. However, they should only be used if considered needed and only if prescribed by your doctor. Ask your doctor for more information.

It’s unlikely that this medicine will pass into breast milk after using it in the nose. However, it should be used carefully by mothers who are breastfeeding. Ask your doctor for more advice as well.

Who should not take Fluticasone Propionate?

• People with an infection in the nasal passages or sinuses
• People with tuberculosis that affects the lungs
• People who recently had nasal surgery or an injury to the nose 

Warnings:

• If corticosteroid nasal sprays are used in high doses for a long time, they do have the potential to cause side effects similar to those associated with corticosteroids taken by mouth. However, these types of side effects are extremely unlikely to occur with this nasal spray. It is because the amount of Fluticasone Propionateabsorbed into the bloodstream from the nose is very low. As a precaution, the lowest effective dose needed to control your symptoms should always be used and for the shortest possible time. 
• Tell your doctor if you’re already using any other medicines including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines before you start using Fluticasone Propionate. This is particularly important if you are or have recently been using any other medicines that contain corticosteroids. There may be a higher risk of side effects if you’re using more than one type of steroid medication. You may need to be monitored by your doctor.