Tired of nasal allergies? Let's learn about Fluticasone Nasal Spray

Do you wake up in the morning with ten or fifteen sneezes in a row? Does a watery liquid run from your nose? Or is your nose so blocked that it is difficult to breathe? There are times when your whole day is ruined due to these types of allergy symptoms. This is a very annoying situation, as you cannot do any work, and if you are a student, you cannot study. So as a solution to this, your doctor may have recommended a nasal spray for you. One of the most commonly used drugs is Fluticasone. Today, we will talk about this Fluticasone nasal spray.

Simply put, what is Fluticasone?

Fluticasone is a medication that belongs to a class of medications called nasal steroids. Don't be scared by the word "steroid." This is not like a steroid that you inject into your body. It works directly inside your nose.

Imagine that when you have an allergy, the delicate tissues inside your nose become swollen, red, and feel like a small fire, or inflammation . This spray works to control that inflammation. It reduces swelling inside your nose and helps control symptoms like congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose. This medicine is sometimes recommended for people with nasal polyps .

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before your doctor prescribes Fluticasone nasal spray for you, it is very important to give him a complete description of your health condition. Be sure to tell him about these things in particular.

• If you have an eye condition, for example glaucoma or cataracts.
• If you currently have tuberculosis , herpes virus, or any other fungal or bacterial infection.
• If you have recently had surgery on your nose or sinuses.
• If you are taking another type of steroid (corticosteroid) by mouth (e.g. Prednisolone).
• If you have had an allergic reaction to Fluticasone or any other medicine, food, or dye.
• If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant .
• If you are a breastfeeding mother .

Based on this information, your doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you or not, and how to use it.

How do you use this spray exactly?

To get the most out of this medicine, it is essential to use it correctly.

1. Clean: Before using the spray, clean your nose thoroughly and remove any debris.

2. Shake the bottle: Shake the bottle well before each use.

3. Correct posture: Keep your head straight and lean forward slightly.

4. Spraying: Close one nostril with your finger and insert the spray tip into the other nostril. The most important thing is to point the spray tip outward, towards the ear, and not towards the septum.

5. Breathe: As you spray, take a deep breath through your nose. Exhale through your mouth.

6. Do the same for the other side: Spray the other nostril in the same way, using the amount the doctor prescribed.

This medicine is sometimes recommended for children over 2 years of age. However, there are special precautions involved, so if you are giving it to children, follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

What to do if the dose is increased?

If you think you have taken more of this medicine than you should, don't panic. However, you should be careful. Go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

What if I miss a medication appointment?

It is normal to miss a dose. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

It is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal remedies, as some medications can interact with Fluticasone.

This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you take, vitamins, herbal products, smoking, and even alcohol use.

Things to consider when taking medication

• See your doctor regularly: After starting the medication, go for regular checkups as directed by your doctor. It is important to see if your symptoms are improving or not.
• Be careful of infections: This medicine may reduce the activity of your immune system to some extent. Therefore, if you come into contact with someone who has infectious diseases such as measles or chickenpox , inform your doctor immediately. Also, be careful if any wounds on your body take a long time to heal.
• Don't expect instant results: This is not like some instant nasal sprays. It can take a few days or a week to feel the full effect. Therefore, it is very important to use it daily for as long as your doctor tells you to.

What are the possible side effects of the medication?

Like any medicine, this one can cause side effects in some people. But not everyone does. Let's take a look at what these side effects are.

How to protect the medicine?

• Keep away from children: This is the most important thing. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
• Temperature: Best stored at room temperature (between 15-25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and light.
• After expiration: Never use after the expiration date stated on the bottle.
• Disposal: Ask your doctor how to safely dispose of unused, expired medications.