Flonase for congestion daily or as needed?

[InnerGlow]

Despite taking Zyrtec every morning and Singulair every night, I still have bad allergies that cause frequent congestion, which is a problem since I use a nasal mask. I have been using generic Sudafed when I'm congested at bedtime, which works well but I understand that it is bad for my hypertension. So...I have seen a few people on here recommend Flonase, and I bought it to give it a try. I was surprised to read the instruction that you're supposed to use it daily.

Have people been successfully using it only as needed, or do you really have to use it daily for it to work?

[zonker]

i use it daily.

[Julie]

I'd a) ask a doctor or pharmacist, b) experiment on my own, and c) make sure I wasn't blindly using the humidifier (which can cause congestion) at a high setting and/or every night without taking account whether or not it was needed depending on where you live climate-wise, season-wise, etc... because it's a convenience, not mandatory 'therapy', and lots of people don't use it, or only only a low setting, or only sometimes.

[LSAT]

At bedtime use the NeilMed nasal rinse

[Barbee]

I use it daily

[Thumper68]

I have been using it daily for 20 years.

[Okie bipap]

During a recent visit to the allergy clinic, the doctor said to use Flonase daily and Astelin as needed.

[Smargie]

I also use it daily, in addition to Ipratropian Bromide nasal solution (Rx)— twice a day. And before I go to bed I use a squirt of regular saline in each nostril and then blow my nose before using the nightly Rx. I know that’s a lot of nasal spray, but I live in the Bluegrass where allergies are super common because of the flora and all the horses.

I haven’t been too congested to use the CPAP yet, but if I do I’ll use a neti pot. It takes some getting used to but it can help a lot.

Regarding nasal spray, my pharmacist says “if you taste it you waste it.” I only bring this up because my husband always thinks more is better, and that it can’t be working if it doesn’t get to your throat, and I imagine he isn’t the only one who believes that.

[jnk...]

My understanding (not a doc) is that one possible major issue of constant daily use beyond six months is pressure in the eye, which has a strong family-history factor to be discussed with each one's docs individually. This seems to still be a concern even when using a second-generation corticosteroid, since there haven't been a lot of clear study results for a solid consensus yet.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4910615/

That may be why the instructions say:

After 6 months of daily use for allergies, talk to your doctor or health care professional before using it for a longer time. -- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/d ... asal-spray

[Ograx]

I use Nasonex now. Found it to be superior to Flonase in every way for me

[zonker]

I use Nasonex now. Found it to be superior to Flonase in every way for me

i produce this link not in contention to what you've said. just a little bit more of information-

https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/f ... e-3122865/

one uses what works for them.



oh!! excuse me, it looks as thought it IS otc?
https://www.oindpnews.com/2018/08/perri ... sal-spray/

chicago granny, mistress of finding links, what can you find?

[Ograx]

Yeah I knew one was prescribed and the other not. I also know they have similar success results . To clarify further I found Nasonex to open the sinuses up better than Flonase. I also found with Nasonex my nasal passages are pretty immune to allergens where with Flonase certain things would still bother me. To each their own for all I know it could be all in my head.

[Enigmas]

I have used the Flonase on occasion only. A friend told me that overuse of this can damage your nostrils...

IDK ? It opens me up, that I do know, & I have also used a Saline solution, not as effective.

[Miss Emerita]

Information from the FDA here:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatf ... 045lbl.pdf

Note that effectiveness is said to depend on regular use.

[Enigmas]

Makes sense, but I'm just gonna use Flonase when really needed.