Flonase Good For Sinus Infection

Steroid Nasal Sprays Seem To Speed Sinusitis Recovery

Date:

Duke University Medical Center

Summary:

A new Duke University Medical Center study shows that patients with sinus infections recover faster and manifest symptoms for a shorter period of time when using fluticasone, a steroid nasal spray, in addition to treatment with antibiotics and decongestants.

DURHAM, N.C. A new Duke University Medical Center study shows that patients with sinus infections recover faster and manifest symptoms for a shorter period of time when using fluticasone, a steroid nasal spray, in addition to treatment with antibiotics and decongestants.

Researchers believe these results indicate that steroid nasal sprays should be part of a recommended treatment regimen for patients with recurrent episodes of acute rhinosinusitis or chronic sinusitis. The study is in the Dec. 26, 2001, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In the United States, patients make 25 million visits annually for sinusitis symptoms. Nasal sprays containing corticosteriods such as fluticasone propionate are used primarily to control symptoms of allergies and post-nasal drip by reducing inflammation and swelling in the sinuses. The Duke researchers, led by Dr. Rowena Dolor, believed that these same nasal sprays, called intranasal corticosteriods, when combined with antibiotics, might speed the recovery time in patients with acute sinus infections.

GlaxoSmithKline, maker of fluticasone and cefuroxime , funded and supplied the medication for the study.

How Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays Work

Corticosteroid nasal sprays like Flonase and Nasacort AQ block the inflammatory agents that your body produces as a response to an allergen, a substance that causes an allergic reaction.

Specifically, they reduce the formation of inflammatory mediators produced by nasal epithelial cells and various allergic cells, such as eosinophils and mast cells.

These cells are what cause the itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing you typically experience with an allergy.

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What Are The Symptoms Of A Sinus Headache

Sinus headaches often cause the following symptoms:

• Pressure and pain in your face or head
• Pain that gets worse when you bend over, move suddenly, or lie down
• Pain thats worse in the morning
• Pain that gets worse when youre exposed to sudden temperature changes
• Swelling in your face
• Pain in your upper teeth

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Common Side Effects Of Afrin Vs Flonase

Afrin is known to cause a temporary, local irritation to the nasal mucosa, and this can induce sneezing. This should pass within a few minutes of administration. If Afrin is used for more than three days, patients may experience rebound congestion. This phenomenon, also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, is believed to be caused when the vasoconstriction induced by Afrin cuts off blood supply to the local tissues. This leads to swelling and inflammation. The sensation of the rebound congestion is said to feel worse than the original congestion Afrin was treating.

Flonase has a relatively high incidence of headaches with as much as 16% of patients experiencing headache after Flonase administration. Another very common side effect is nose bleeds or epistaxis.

Both Afrin and Flonase can cause local irritation of the nasal mucosa.

The following chart is not intended to be a complete list of all possible side effects. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist for a list of all possible side effects.

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Coverage And Cost Comparison Of Afrin Vs Flonase

Afrin is typically not covered by insurance because it is not a prescription product. This is true for both Medicare and commercial plans. The retail cost for a 15 ml bottle could be as high as about $11. Your doctor can issue a prescription for Afrin, and with a SingleCare coupon, you could get the generic version for as low as $5.11.

Flonase, or its generic, is typically covered by commercial and Medicare drug plans. The retail price for Flonase in a bottle containing 120 sprays can be as much as $28 but with a coupon, patients could pay as little as $11-$12 with a prescription.

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Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use Flonase nasal spray if you are allergic to fluticasone.

Fluticasone can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

To make sure Flonase is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• sores or ulcers inside your nose

• injury of or surgery on your nose

• a weak immune system or

• any type of infection .

If you use Flonase without a prescription and you have any medical conditions, ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe for you.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Should I Use A Nasal Spray For A Sinus Infection

Nasal sprays are often used to soothe symptoms caused by a sinus infection or acute sinusitis. Symptoms of a sinus infection can include inflammation in the nose, congestion, postnasal drip, runny nose with green or yellow mucus, cough, sinus pain and more. There are four main types of nasal sprays: corticosteroids, nasal decongestants, sodium chloride, and cromolyn sodium.

Corticosteroid and sodium chloride nasal sprays are used to help soothe allergy symptoms such as a stuffy nose. Nasal decongestants relieve nasal congestion in the upper respiratory tract. Cromolyn sodium is an anti-inflammatory medication helpful in treating sinus infections caused by allergies. One of our allergists can determine which spray will best treat your symptoms.

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Youre Not Staying Hydrated

Drinking more water with a sinus infection may sound counterintuitive, but its essential to stay hydrated while you have a sinus infection. Your body uses water to make mucus, so when you have a sinus infection, your body needs more liquids to stay hydrated. Keeping your body hydrated during a sinus infection also makes your mucus thinner, therefore easier to get rid of it so you can breathe a bit easier.

When Does Antibiotic Resistance Occur

Antibiotic resistance occurs in a persons own body and within the community when certain drugs no longer work for a specific type of germ. This can occur when bacteria change in response to exposure to antibiotics so that the antibiotics no longer work efficiently against the bacteria.

Therefore, allergists and other specialists recommend limiting the use of antibiotics unless:

• Symptoms last over seven to 10 days
• Specific symptoms are present
• A fever is present

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Chronic Sinus Infection

Chronic sinusitis emerges more insidiously than acute sinusitis. At times, however, the symptoms start suddenly and may resemble that of the common cold or acute sinusitis that just wont go away.

Chronic sinusitis is most likely if you have two or more of the following symptoms:

• Nasal congestion or stuffy nose
• Mucus and pus-like discharge
• Facial pain, pressure around your eyes and nose, or fullness
• Partial or complete loss of your sense of smell

Chronic cough, sore throat, and fatigue may also be seen in a chronic sinus infection. That said, these symptoms are not required for the diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis.

Can You Have A Sinus Infection For Years

Sinusitis symptoms that last for more than 12 weeks could be chronic sinusitis. In addition to frequent head colds, your risk for chronic sinusitis also goes up if you have allergies. Chronic sinusitis can be caused by an allergy, virus, fungus, or bacteria and can go on for months or even years, says Dr.

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What Is A Sinus Infection

Your sinuses are hollow cavities found in the bones around your eyes and nose. When you have a sinus infection, the thin tissue that lines them the mucous membrane becomes inflamed. That inflammation leads to a buildup of mucus, which contributes to a stuffy nose and puts pressure on the surrounding areas. Thus, the characteristic sinus headache.

Sinusitis can be acute, subacute or chronic. Most common are acute infections, which last less than 4 weeks. Anything going over 12 weeks is defined as chronic sinusitis. Anything in between is typically called a subacute infection.

About 1 or 2 percent of sinus infections are bacterial. Up to 80 percent of these resolve on their own in under two weeks, while the rest may be treated by antibiotics, depending on the advice of your healthcare provider .

Not every cold causes a sinus infection, and not every sinus infection is caused by a cold. Both acute and chronic sinusitis can also be triggered by allergies, fungus, medical conditions and nasal issues like polyps or a deviated septum.

What Are Common Side Effects Of Sinus Infection Medications

The most common side effects of sinus infection medications differ by the type of medication you use. Decongestants tend to cause nervousness, insomnia, and a loss of appetite. Side effects of antibiotics include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Antihistamines and steroids can cause dizziness and sleep disturbances.

This is not an exhaustive list of sinus infection medication side effects. If you experience any adverse reactions from a medication or treatment, its always best to consult with your healthcare provider.

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How To Use A Saline Rinse:

Using a saline rinse is relatively easy. An appropriate rinse is comprised of 1/2 teaspoon sea salt mixed into 1 cup of warm water. After the salt has dissolved in the water, it can be poured into a nasal spray bottle or neti pot. To complete the rinse, lean over the sink and insert the nozzle into the nose, squeezing to allow the mixture to enter the nose. Allow the rinse to travel through the nasal passages and exit the throat. Complete the rinse as often as needed, but wait at least 30 minutes between each rinse.

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Which Medications Open The Sinuses Will Antibiotics Cure Sinus Infections

Medications that Cure Sinus Infections

The goal in treating sinus infections is to eliminate bacteria from the sinus cavities with antibiotics. This helps prevent complications, relieve symptoms, and reduce the risk of chronic sinusitis.

• In acute, uncomplicated sinus infections, a synthetic penicillin, for example, amoxicillin , which is prescribed to most people to cure acute sinus infections. Amoxicilin is effective against the ususal causes of sinus infections, and is inexpensive. The most common side effects of amoxicillin include allergic reactions and an upset stomach.
• People allergic to penicillin can take a sulfur-containing antibiotic called trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or TMP/SMX . Sulfa drugs are not recommended for people who are allergic to sulfur.
• People who have several episodes, or partially treated acute sinusitis or those who have chronic sinusitis may become resistant to amoxicillin and TMP/SMX. Synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins such as amoxicillin/clavulanate , cefuroxime , and loracarbef can cure most sinus infections.
• Eventually, overuse of these âbroad-spectrumâ antibiotics may lead to organisms evolving that can resist even the most potent antibiotics available. Simpler antibiotics, for example, amoxicillin, should be used first and taken for the entire duration .

Medications to Keep the Sinuses Open

OTC Steroid Nasal Sprays

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Side Effects Of Taking Sudafed For Sinus Infection

Although this medicine can help in relieving out various symptoms of sinusitis, it can incur some unwanted side effects also. However, these occur only in rare instances and may require immediate medical attention.

If any of the following side effects develop after taking Sudafed for sinus infection, talk to your doctor without any further delay.

• Difficulty resting

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Are Flonase And Nasacort The Same

Flonase and Nasacort are very similar and have many of the same uses and warnings. However, they have some notable differences, such as in the active ingredient, drug interactions, and price, as outlined above. Other medications in the nasal steroid category you may have heard of include Rhinocort , QNasl , and Nasonex . Fluticasone is also available as a combination drug in the form of brand-name Dymista, which contains azelastine along with fluticasone.

Youre Using Nasal Spray Too Much

Over the counter nasal sprays work great in alleviating sinus infection pressure in the short term, but can have lasting effects if not properly used. The main chemical in nasal spray can cause your sinus infection to get worse! If you have had a sinus infection for over a week and are still using nasal decongestant spray, call our Southfield ENT specialists immediately to make an appointment.

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Advil Allergy & Congestion Relief

Advil Allergy & Congestion Relief treats your toughest allergy symptomsincluding nasal congestion. Most allergy medicines dont do that. The ibuprofen in Advil combined with an antihistamine and a decongestant helps relieve upper respiratory symptoms associated with allergies.

Advil Allergy & Congestion Relief treats your multi-symptom sinus and allergy needs with just one tablet by combining the power of Advil and a proven decongestant to reduce swelling due to sinus pressure and nasal congestion, plus an effective antihistamine to relieve sneezing, runny nose and your other allergy symptoms.

Take on all your tough allergy symptoms with Advil Allergy & Congestion Relief.

Temporarily relieves these symptoms associated with hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies and the common cold:

How You Can Treat Sinusitis Yourself

You can often treat mild sinusitis without seeing a GP by:

• getting plenty of rest
• taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
• avoiding allergic triggers and not smoking
• cleaning your nose with a salt water solution to ease congestion

If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

You do not need to use all of the solution, but make a fresh solution each time you clean your nose.

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Flonase For Ear Ringing

Flonase is a non-prescription nasal spray with the generic name Fluticasone. Fluticasone is a type of medicine called corticosteroids. They help tackle allergy symptoms by blocking out natural substances in the body that cause allergic responses.

Flonase is usually used for allergies. Doctors prescribe it to relieve symptoms of rhinitis, which includes sneezing and a runny nose. It also reduces itchy eyes caused by hay fever or other allergens. Non-prescription Fluticasone can also treat rhinitis, which is not caused by allergies.

It would relieve symptoms of a stuffy or runny nose. Moreover, prescription Fluticasone also works great on nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are swelling of the nasal lining. Now comes the question, Does Flonase work for tinnitus?.

The thing is, Flonase is not directly prescribed for ear ringing. As you can see, Flonase is mainly prescribed for allergy-like symptoms of sinusitis, rhinitis, etc., as there might be a presence of ear ringing along with an inflamed sinus or nasal lining. So if you ask me can flonase help with tinnitus, I would say partially yes.

Flonase might help subdue the ear ringing while mainly working on allergy symptoms. It acts as an added benefit. Relief from the allergy symptoms might result in a reduction in the annoying sound of tinnitus. But that might not always be the case.

Is Flonase Or Nasacort More Effective

A recent study found after 28 days of treatment that Flonase and Nasacort are similarly effective in treating nasal allergy symptoms and are both well-tolerated. Another study showed that Flonase and Nasacort are equally safe, effective, and well-tolerated.

The most effective medication for you should be determined by you, along with your doctor, who can take into account your medical condition, history, and other medications you take.

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First Line Of Defense Against Sinusitis: Nasal Irrigation

One of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective ways to prevent and treat sinus problems is nasal irrigation. Using a homemade solution, you can often relieve sinusitis symptoms, reduce reliance on nasal sprays and antibiotics, and improve your quality of life. At least once a day, follow these steps:

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