Nasal Medications

Class

Generic name

Photo

Brand name

Use

Usual Dosage

Tips and Product Link

Nasal
steroids

Budesonide

Seasonal and year round allergic rhinitis age 6 and older.

Age 12 and older: 1 to 4 sprays each nostril

Age 6 to 11:
1 to 2 sprays each nostril

Relief of symptoms may begin to occur on the first
day of use.

Shake before use.

Discard bottle after 120 doses.

Pregnancy Category B
[This is the same medication that is in Pulmicort.]

Ciclesonide

Omnaris
Nasal Spray

Treatment of nasal symptoms associated with:

Seasonal allergic rhinitis age 6 and older.

Year round or perennial allergic rhinitis age 12 and older.

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis:
Age 6 and older 2 sprays each nostril once a day.

Perennial Allergic Rhinitis:
12 years of age and older  2 sprays each nostril once a day.

Gently shake and prime 8 times prior to first use.

Omnaris Web site

Pregnancy Category C

Discard bottle after 120 sprays or 4 months from removal from the foil.

[This is the same medication that is in Alvesco.]

Flunisolide

There are several generic products available.

Seasonal and year round allergic rhinitis
age 6 and older

Age 6 to 14:
1 spray each nostril 3 times a day or
2 sprays each nostril 2 times a day.

Age 15 and older:
1 to 2 sprays each nostril 2 to 4 times a day.

In the past Flunisolide was sold as Nasalide and Nasarel.

Currently it is available as a generic from several suppliers.

Pregnancy Category C

Package Insert

[This is the same medication that is in AeroBid.)

Fluticasone propionate

Flonase Nasal Spray

Fluticasone nasal propionate generic

There are several products available.

Management of the nasal symptoms of seasonal and year-round allergic and non-allergic rhinitis.

Age 4 and older: 1 spray in each nostril once a day.
(May use 2 sprays in each nostril for short time.)

Adults: 2 sprays in each nostril once a day;
can also be 1 spray in each nostril twice a day.

Long-term use can reduce to one spray each nostril once a day.

Use it regularly.

Symptom control may occur after 12 hours. However, the full benefit needs several days to take effect.

Shake well before use.

Some people with seasonal allergies can use this as needed during their season.

Flonase Web site

Fluticasone furoate

Veramyst Nasal Spray

Treatment of the symptoms of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
age 2 and older.

Older than 12 years: 2 sprays per nostril once a day.

Children 2 to 11: 1 spray per nostril once a day.

Veramyst Web site

At first use shake contents well and prime with 6 sprays. Repeat this if not used for over 30 days.

Pregnancy Category C

Mometasone furoate monohydrate

Nasonex
Nasal Spray

Treatment of symptoms of allergic rhinitis (seasonal and year-round) age 2 and older.
Prevention of seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms age 12 and older (starting a 2 to 4 weeks before the season begins).

Children 3 to 11 years old:
1 spray in each nostril once a day.

Age 12 and older:
2 sprays in each nostril once a day.

Shake well before use.

Discard after 120 sprays.

Nasonex Package Insert

Pregnancy Category C

*Approved to treat nasal polyps at 2 sprays per nostril twice a day.

Triamcinolone
acetonide

Nasacort AQ

Treatment of
Symptoms of
Seasonal and
Perennial
Allergic rhinitis
age 6 and older.

Children 6 to 12: one to two sprays each nostril once a day.

Older than 12: 2 sprays into each nostril once a day.

Shake well.

Prime the pump (5 sprays).

Individualize the dose.

May be able to taper dose after one week of use.

Pregnancy Category C

Nasacort AQ Web site

To treat the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in children and adults over 5 years of age.

Children 5 to 11:
1 spray per nostril twice a day.

This is an antihistamine.

Sedation may be a side effect in some people. Therefore, exercise caution when mental alertness is of concern while taking this medication.

Discard after 100 sprays.

Astelin Nasal Spray Web site

 [This is the same medication as Optivar (eye drop).]

Pregnancy Category C

Age 12 and older:

1 or 2 sprays each nostril twice a day.

For seasonal allergic rhinitis 0.15% may be used 2 sprays each nostril once daily

This is Astelin with a different type of base solution, therefore the taste will be different.

Age 12 and older:

This is an antihistamine.

Patanase Web site

[This is the same medication as Pataday and Patanol (eye drops).]

Atrovent Nasal Spray 0.03%

Generic preparation are available

Ipratropium Nasal Spray

 0.03%
To treat the symptom of rhinorrhea (runny nose) that is associated with seasonal allergic and non-allergic or vasomotor rhinitis. For children 6 and older and adults.

0.06%
Above age 5

Age 5 and above;
2 sprays per nostril 2 or 3 times a day.

Do not use for more than 3 weeks for allergies.

Symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing and postnasal drip will not be relieved by this medication.

Prime pump.

Caution if using if patient has narrow-angle glaucoma or prostate problems.

Pregnancy category B

Ipratropium Nasal Spray0.06% Package Insert

Ipratropium Nasal Spray 0.03% Package Insert

Mast Cell inhibitor

Cromolyn sodium

Store brands (generic) also available.

To prevent and relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

[This is an OTC product and does not require a prescription.]

Age 2 and older: 1 spray each nostril 3 to 4 times a day. This can be used every 4 hours up to 6 times a day.

To prevent allergy symptoms start this up to 1 week before contact with allergens and continue using during exposure.

Nasalcrom needs several days to take effect and may require up to 2 weeks before improvement is noticed.

Decongestant

oxymetazoline

To reduce nasal swelling.

Age 6 and older.

Use this for 3 days only.

This class of nasal spray should only be used for 3 days only.

Longer use may result in rebound nasal congestion.

Afrin Package Insert

Look at the FAQs for proper use.