Flonase vs Nasal Decongestants (2024)

Nasal decongestants are medicines used for temporary relief of nasal congestion, and may come in the form of pills or nasal sprays. Their active ingredients often include pseudoephedrine (PSE), phenylephrine (PE) and topical oxymetazoline.

HOW DOES A NASAL DECONGESTANT WORK?

The main function of a nasal decongestant is to reduce the congestion, or stuffiness you feel in your nose when you’re sick.1

When you have a cold or allergies, your immune system responds by sending a flood of white blood cells to your nasal area to combat the invading virus or allergen.2 These cells produce a range of inflammatory substances to fight off the invaders – but these substances also cause the blood vessels in the linings of the nasal passages to swell and increase the production of mucus. This combination of narrower nasal passages and increased mucus create the feeling of a blocked, stuffy nose – in other words, nasal congestion.3

Nasal decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in the lining of the nose. This reduces the blood flow through the area. The swollen tissue inside the nose then shrinks and allows air to pass through more easily, easing congestion.3

TYPES OF NASAL DECONGESTANTS

A wide variety of drugs are used for their nasal decongestant effect. Many over-the-counter cold or allergy medications feature one of these ingredients, although sometimes a remedy will include two or more of the drugs to target more symptoms.

Always make sure you read the product label and choose a remedy that targets your particular symptoms. Ask your doctor for advice if you are not sure.

POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF NASAL DECONGESTANTS

Potential side effects of using nasal decongestants may include:4

  • increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • increased nervousness
  • palpitations
  • restlessness or trouble sleeping.

Speak to your doctor before using a nasal decongestant if you have any of the following pre-existing conditions: 4

  • heart disease
  • glaucoma
  • thyroid issues
  • high blood pressure
  • diabetes
  • an enlarged prostate gland

NASAL DECONGESTANTS VS. FLONASE NASAL SPRAYS

While nasal decongestants are only designed to relieve a stuffy nose, FLONASE nasal sprays are different. FLONASE products relieve congestion, but also target other allergy symptoms, including sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and itchy, watery eyes. In addition, FLONASE once-daily nasal sprays provide 24-hour symptom relief, while some nasal decongestants must be taken multiple times a day.

Find out more about how allergy nasal sprays compare to pills and see how easy it is to use FLONASE nasal sprays.

It is important to note that nasal decongestant sprays like Afrin® are not to be used for longer than three days, as the label directs. FLONASE Allergy Relief nasal spray and FLONASE Sensimist Allergy Relief, on the other hand, can be used daily as directed for adults and children 12 years of age and older.

FLONASE products are not intended for children younger than 2 years of age. Children’s FLONASE Allergy Relief nasal spray can be used for children aged 4-11 years. Children’s FLONASE Sensimist Allergy Relief can be used for children aged 2 years and older. Always read the directions on the product label before use.

Learn more about how FLONASE can efficiently and effectively treat your allergy symptoms.

Flonase vs Nasal Decongestants (2024)

FAQs

Flonase vs Nasal Decongestants? ›

While nasal decongestants are only designed to relieve a stuffy nose, FLONASE

FLONASE
FLONASE helps relieve a broad range of symptoms from many allergens. FLONASE helps with outdoor allergens such as weed pollen, grass pollen, tree pollen, and mold spores. It also helps with indoor allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, and mold.
https://www.flonase.com › flonase-allergy-relief › faqs
nasal sprays are different. FLONASE products relieve congestion, but also target other allergy symptoms, including sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and itchy, watery eyes.

Does Flonase work as a decongestant? ›

FLONASE vs. Afrin Nasal Decongestant

For example, nasal sprays such as Afrin® are only decongestants, while FLONASE allergy relief nasal sprays offer more complete* relief by treating additional nasal allergy symptoms.

Are steroid nasal sprays better than decongestants? ›

(Note: decongestant sprays are not usually advised for more than a few days. If you use one for more than 5-7 days, a rebound, more severe congestion of the nose may develop. In contrast, steroid sprays work well to clear symptoms, and can be used for long periods.)

Is there anything better than Flonase? ›

Official answer. Nasacort and Flonase are equally effective, safe, and well tolerated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Therefore the choice of either Nasacort or Flonase comes down to personal preference, availability or price.

Why am I still congested after using Flonase? ›

If a nasal decongestant spray is a fixture in your medication lineup, it's important to know that using these sprays for more than three consecutive days can actually worsen your congestion. "This side effect of nasal decongestant sprays is called rebound congestion," says Dr.

Should I use FLONASE if I have a stuffy nose? ›

Flonase and other nasal spray corticosteroids do not treat colds. These medications treat itchy and runny noses due to allergies, but will not relieve symptoms caused by a common cold. Instead, use OTC cough and cold medicines and pain relievers to treat cold symptoms.

Should I use FLONASE for sinus congestion? ›

Yes, the active ingredients in FLONASE Headache & Allergy Relief can help to alleviate sinus congestion and pressure caused by allergies.

What is the best medicine for a clogged nose? ›

Decongestants. These medicines help reduce the swelling in your nasal passages and ease the stuffiness and sinus pressure. They come as nasal sprays, like naphazoline (Privine), oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan, Nostrilla, Vicks Sinus Nasal Spray), or phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Rhinall, Sinex).

What is the best thing for nasal congestion? ›

Humidifiers, inhaling steam from a hot shower, and neti pots using distilled water are popular options to relieve a stuffy nose. 7 These options offer short-term relief in clearing sinus congestion, but other treatments like medicine may be needed if the symptoms do not go away.

What is the best nasal spray for blocked sinuses? ›

For nasal congestion, we recommend Otrivine Sinusitis Relief Nasal Spray. The spray delivers an exact medicated dose of xylometazoline hydrochloride inside the nostril to relieve the nasal congestion as well as helping to ease the sinusitis pain and pressure that you may be feeling.

Why is Flonase so effective? ›

FLONASE nasal sprays act on multiple inflammatory substances, including histamine, prostaglandins, cytokines, tryptases, chemokines and leukotrienes. Most allergy pills don't finish the job because they don't relieve nasal congestion†.

Why is Flonase so good? ›

Unlike antihistamines, Flonase blocks six allergy-causing substances, including histamine*, to relieve nose and eye allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and an itchy nose. Flonase nasal sprays are also non-addictive and don't cause drowsiness.

What medications cannot be taken with Flonase? ›

Cautions with other medicines
  • medicines used to treat HIV, such as ritonavir or cobicistat.
  • medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole.
  • other medicines that contain steroids, such as eczema creams, asthma inhalers, steroid tablets, injections, other nasal sprays and drops, or eye drops.

Why won't my sinus congestion go away? ›

Chronic sinusitis may have several different causes. People with asthma or allergies are more likely to develop this long-lasting inflammation. This is often exacerbated by smoking, second-hand smoke, and environmental factors. It can also be caused by an infection of some sort.

Why won't my nose congestion go away? ›

Some people's stuffy noses don't resolve after other symptoms are gone. This long-lasting stuffy nose is called chronic rhinosinusitis. This happens when your sinuses are swollen and inflamed for three months or longer, despite treatment.

How to fight rebound congestion? ›

If the congestion and swelling are unbearable, different types of nasal sprays may help. Saline nasal (made with salt and water) and steroid nasal sprays like fluticasone propionate (brand name Flonase) and triamcinolone acetonide (brand name Nasacort) are two other medications that can help relieve congestion.

Which nasal spray is best for decongestant? ›

Rankings: Decongestants, Nasal Spray
RankBrandSample Product
#1 Score: 100AfrinBuy on CVS.com
#2 Score: 54Neo-SynephrineBuy on CVS.com
#3 Score: 33MucinexBuy on CVS.com
#4 Score: 33Vicks SinexBuy on CVS.com
2 more rows

Which nasal decongestant actually works? ›

If you prefer to take a decongestant in pill form, Dr. Daiza recommends looking for ones that contain pseudoephedrine. “That active ingredient is still considered effective and is in many cold remedies,” she says. For congestion related to allergies (instead of a cold), look for antihistamine ingredients.

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