December 2005 | Volume 72 | Number 12 | Pages 1079-1082 Show Lily C. Pien, MD Return to One-Minute Consult Index Intranasal steroid sprays are safe for long-term use, and there is little evidence to indicate they cause significant systemic side effects. However, patients with chronic rhinitis who might use them for long periods should be advised to use them only intermittently and at the lowest dose that controls their symptoms. Patients who regularly use steroid sprays should undergo examination of the nasal cavity at least annually to check for damage to the septum. Children using intranasal steroid sprays should be prescribed the newer-generation formulations, use low doses, and have their growth monitored regularly.
Nasal Steroids are Widely UsedIn 1972, beclomethasone dipropionate was marketed as the first intranasal spray for allergic rhinitis. Its efficacy in the treatment of seasonal, perennial allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis led to the development of additional formulations and second-generation steroid sprays (TABLE 1).1
Several consensus reports list intranasal steroid sprays as first-line therapy for rhinitis.2-4 These drugs are widely used: an estimated 25% of the US population has allergic rhinitis, and sales of intranasal steroid sprays exceeded $1.6 billion in 2000.5 The usual prescribed dose is one or two squirts in each nostril daily. Some patients are disappointed that there is no immediate decongestant effect-optimal clinical efficacy may not be reached for 1 to 2 weeks. Some patients with chronic allergic and nonallergic rhinitis use intranasal steroid sprays for years. In view of this, studies have been done to determine if these drugs can be taken intermittently on an as-needed basis instead of daily, to reduce exposure to them. Although the studies were short-term (4-6 weeks), dipropionate and fluticasone have shown benefit when used intermittently.6,7 Local Side EffectsPatients may notice local side effects, including burning, dryness, crusting, and occasional nosebleeds. Septal perforations are rarely reported and may be related to vasoconstrictive activity of corticosteroids. Perforations are most likely to occur in the first year of use and in young women.8 To help avoid local side effects, patients should be instructed to spray away from the septum. Mucosal atrophy, as evaluated by nasal biopsy, has not been observed with 1 year of use of either fluticasone or mometasone, or 5.5 years of budesonide.9-11 A few cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been reported, particularly with budesonide; patients with known contact hypersensitivity reactions to specific steroids should be careful using sprays.12,13
Systemic Side EffectsThe long-term use of intranasal corticosteroid sprays raises concerns about their possible systemic side effects. Systemic absorption occurs (TABLE 1), but few clinically relevant side effects are known.14,15. Two preparations, dexamethasone and betamethasone, have some effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. They are not currently used in the United States. Triamcinolone acetonide, budesonide, fluticasone propionate, and mometasone tend not to cause any significant side effects, presumably because they have lower systemic bioavailability (particularly fluticasone and mometasone) and are used in low dosages. The labels of intranasal sprays warn of potential effects on children's growth. Beclomethasone dipropionate spray used for 1 year affected children's growth,16 but neither fluticasone nor mometasone had this effect.17,18 Fluticasone and mometasone are approved for young children by the US Food and Drug Administration. Occasional case reports link glaucoma with intranasal steroid sprays. However, two large studies of patients using intranasal sprays found no association with glaucoma or cataracts: one was a case-control study of more than 9,000 patients,19 and the other was a retrospective observational study of more than 286,000 patients.20 Other side effects typical of parenteral use of corticosteroids, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension, have not been reported with any of the current sprays. However, no studies have specifically addressed these issues, and most studies on sprays are conducted for less than 1 year. It is possible that other side effects may occur if patients use higher doses than prescribed. Other issues that need further study include the long-term use of intranasal sprays with other forms of topical corticosteroids (such as inhaled preparations for asthma), as well as with parenteral forms of corticosteroids to control inflammatory diseases such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. References
Return to One-Minute Consult Index How many times a day can you take fluticasone nasal?Adults—At first, 1 spray (93 micrograms [mcg]) fluticasone in each nostril two times a day. Some patients may need 2 sprays in each nostril two times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
What symptoms does fluticasone treat?Fluticasone nasal spray is used to treat sneezing, itchy or runny nose, or other symptoms caused by hay fever. It is also used to treat nasal polyps in adults. This is a steroid medicine. This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.
How long should you use fluticasone propionate nasal spray?You can use Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray for up to six months if you are age 12 or older or up to two months a year if you are age 4-11 before checking with a doctor.
How long does it take FLONASE to work for nasal congestion?Most achieve relief within 12 hours of starting their FLONASE nasal spray. But remember, it's important to keep using it every day during allergy season as it takes three to four days before any FLONASE nasal spray builds up to full effectiveness—which means once a day allergy symptom relief.
|