Both Flonase and Nasonex belong to the corticosteroid family and treat seasonal allergies. The following HealthHearty article discusses the differences and similarities between these two nasal sprays.
Caution!
Using these nasal sprays for an extended duration of time may increase the risk of bothersome side effects. Also, after spraying, make sure you spit out the medicine that travels down to the throat.
With changes in weather, come seasonal allergies that can wreak havoc on your health if the right medicine is not used. Flonase and Nasonex are nasal sprays commonly recommended to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies that include congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Allergy flare-ups that usually occur during the summer and spring can be controlled effectively using these medication.
They have been formulated to treat allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever. Quite a few inflammatory substances are released into the body upon exposure to allergens. The active ingredients in these medication inhibit the release of inflammatory substances, which provides relief from allergy symptoms. The following write-up compares both these nasal sprays and explores which is the better one between the two.
| Characteristics | Flonase | Nasonex |
| Active Ingredients | Although both nasal sprays are corticosteroids, the active ingredient in these medication is not the same. The active ingredient in Flonase is fluticasone propionate. | Nasonex is formulated with mometasone furoate as the active ingredient. The active drug in either product is a glucocorticoid, but there is a slight difference in their chemical structures. |
| Odor | Flonase, on usage, emanates a rose scent, which can cause slight irritation, particularly if you have a strong dislike for this scent. | Nasonex is practically an odorless, scent-free spray, hence might not cause any nasal irritation on use. |
| Onset of Relief | Either of the product is not formulated for immediate relief. In case of Flonase, one may feel better 12 hours after taking the initial dose. | Its relieving action may kick start within 11 hours after taking the initial dose as claimed by manufacturers. However, studies have shown that the initial dose of the treatment may take up to 2 days to provide relief from allergy symptoms. Be it Flonase or Nasonex, it has to be used regularly as directed to experience the full effect of the drugs. In either case, it may take a few weeks to receive the full benefits of the medication. |
| Side Effects | Side effects will vary from one user to another. The reported side effects from the use of Flonase include headaches, migraines, sore throat, dry nose, coughing, and swollen tongue. There have been reports of users losing their sense of smell after using Flonase for about a year. A bad taste in the mouth has also been reported after using it for just 3 to 4 months. | Nasonex spray can cause nausea, migraines, digestion problems (heartburn), trouble sleeping, nosebleeds, and a numb tongue. Nasonex is purportedly better accepted by the body than Fluconase. |
| Use | Flonase is usually not recommended to treat nasal polyps, but may help in treating this condition. | Nasonex is a prescription medicine for nasal polyps, a condition in which non-cancerous growths protrude from the lining of the nose. |
| Availability | Flonase is sold in a generic form, hence it is relatively less expensive. A bottle of generic Flonase costs around USD 70. | The generic form of Nasonex is not available in the United States, making it much more expensive than Flonase. A bottle of Nasonex spray costs around USD 150. |
Which is More Effective?
There are a few studies that suggest either product being superior in treating allergic rhinitis. However, it would be wrong to draw any conclusion from these studies, since individual results will vary between users. Some may experience ease in breathing problems from using Flonase/Nasonex, while others may experience severe side effects after using the same product. Since every individual will arrive at his own opinion after using the product, it is very difficult to generalize which is better at controlling seasonal allergy symptoms.
Nevertheless, both Nasonex and Flonase are effective at treating nasal allergies, but the latter is usually more preferred, since its generic form is available, which is less expensive.
