Nasacort vs Flonase which is better?
Nasacort vs Flonase which is better ?
Both nasal sprays are very effective in treating allergy rhinitis. Which one is better? Read this article and decide which is better Nasacort or Flonase. Either Nasacort or Flonase are prescription corticosteroid intranasal sprays for elimination of swelling and inflammation in nose and sinus. Though based on different corticosteroids (Triamcinolone acetonide for Nasacort and Fluticasone propionate for Flonase), in everything else they look just like twin brothers.
From marketing perspective, Flonase seems to be longer promoted and a bit better established at the moment. Wider range of clinical trials was conducted with Flonase. But Nasacort gives more variety to the consumer, as it is available in both Aqueous and Non-aqueous preparations (Flonase has only aqueous version). While a “dry” nose (particularly in winter) responds best to an aqueous preparation, a “wet” nose with watery rhinorrhea can be treated with a no aqueous preparation and some patients may prefer to use no aqueous spray for watery nose.
Nasacort can be prescribed to adults and children 6 years and older, Flonase – to adults and children 4 years and older, because special clinical trials in children under 6 were conducted with Flonase.
Apart of not very significant differences mentioned above, Nasacort and Flonase have following similarities:
# Prescription intranasal high concentration corticosteroid spray bottle of 120 puffs (Nasacort is available in 30-puffs container too). This is enough for 1 month treatment – 2 puffs into each nostril a day, – or 2 months (1 puff into each nostril daily). Flonase has glass bottle, Nasacort – polyethylene one.
# Used for patients with history of rhinitis or sinusitis, including seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis/sinusitis. Very potent and effective medication
# Most common Flonase and Nasacort side effects:
1. Suppressing of some immunity responses. It is advisable to avoid contacts with people who has cold/flu, measles, chickenpox etc.; and be immunised as soon as possible.
2. Pharyngitis
3. Cough
4. Nasal bleeding
5. Outgrowth of Candida albicans infection in nose/throat
6. Reduction in growth velocity in some pediatric patients
Though not occurring to a lot of patients, the steroid spray side effects should be taken into consideration even for 1 year after the treatment is finished.
# As a rule, should not be used with other nasal sprays/drops or any steroid drugs. A bad interaction with Ritonavir was found during Flonase clinical trials.
# Can be used either indoors or outdoors
# Needs to be stored at room temperature and kept away from moisture and sunlight
# The same price (approximately) for 1 bottle. Though it is quite expensive, the similar spray Nasonex is more expensive.
Since the products Nasacort and Flonase are very similar and have the same price, the war between the producing companies (Flonase is made by GlaxoSmithKline, Nasacort – by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc.) is very high at the moment. Who will win this war? First, it depends on how the companies will develop the products. Second, it depends on how they promote the products, including the incentives given to the doctors.
From the patient’s and doctor’s perspective, it is very important to keep the use of topical steroid to the minimum effective doze. That allows either avoiding side effects or reducing them. Folow doctors advices to reduce unwanted side effects of Nasacort and Flonase nasal sprays:
# To reduce your dosage of Nasacort or Flonase to one puff into each nostril a day as soon as severe symptoms are over. Usually it’s even better to substitute prescription spray with non-prescription steroid spray (it has 10 to 50 times less concentration of steroids). To do this, you must ask your doctor. But you don’t have to wait until your Nasacort or Flonase bottle is empty, ask your doctor as soon as you feel better!
# Many patients, including allergic ones, successfully use non-steroid non-prescription sprays for reducing their seasonal or perennial rhinitis/sinusitis symptoms. Ask your ENT specialist or doctor for advice.
The most recommended nasal sprays are: Sterimar (seawater solution), SaltAire (salt water solution), Narium natural mist (sodium solution), menthol sprays, grape seed spray etc. On the contrary, nasal medications containing ephedrine are not recommended for the most of patients, though they are available without prescription.
