Flonase vs Claritin – Uses, Side Effects, Differences

Flonase

It is a nasal spray that contains a medication called fluticasone that belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids. It helps prevent the release of substances in the human body which causes inflammation.

Its effects develop within 2 to 4 hours after intranasal administration. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, therefore, you don’t need a prescription.

Uses

This corticosteroid can be used to relieve seasonal and year-round allergic and non-allergic nasal symptoms, like – stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, and itching.

Dosage

For adults and adolescents, the usual recommended dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. After seven days of treatment, the dose may be reduced to 1 spray into each nostril once per day. However, if 1 spray into each nostril does not control the symptoms properly, you should return to 2 sprays in each nostril once per day.

This nasal spray needs to be regularly used in order to work at maximum efficiency. On average, it needs a few days for you to get the full benefit of the nasal spray.

Note – before the first use or after a period of non-use (seven days or more), you need to prime the pump. This medicine can be used in adults and children who are at least 4 years old.

Side Effects And Precautions

Common side effects may include:

Rare side effects may include:

  • any wound that will not heal;
  • severe nosebleeds;
  • seeing halos around lights;
  • weakness;
  • blurred vision;
  • noisy breathing;
  • vomiting;
  • eye pain;
  • fever;
  • sores in your mouth or throat;
  • crusting around your nostrils.

Drug Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all other drugs you use, especially:

  • nefazodone (an atypical antidepressant);
  • HIV/AIDS drugs, like – delavirdine (Rescriptor), atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), or saquinavir (Invirase);
  • blood pressure or heart drugs, like – quinidine (Quin-G) or nicardipine (Cardene);
  • antifungal drugs, like – ketoconazole (Nizoral);
  • an antibiotic, like – erythromycin (EryPed, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
  • isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
  • imatinib (Gleevec), a medication used to treat cancer;
  • conivaptan (Vaprisol), a non-peptide inhibitor of arginine vasopressin receptor.

To make sure you can safely use this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these conditions:

  • recently had an injury or surgery on the nose;
  • sores or ulcers inside the nose;
  • tuberculosis or any other illness or infection;
  • herpes simplex virus of the eyes;
  • liver disease;
  • glaucoma or cataracts.

Claritin

It is the brand name of a drug called loratadine which belongs to the class of drugs called second-generation antihistamines.

This antihistamine blocks a substance (histamine) that the human body releases when it is exposed to an allergen or things that the body is sensitive to.

Loratadine was first approved by the FDA in 1993 and was originally produced by Bayer Healthcare, a German multinational, life sciences, and pharmaceutical company.

Uses

It is typically used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis as well as the symptoms of a runny nose and sneezing linked with the common cold and the flu. Moreover, individuals who suffer from chronic urticaria have experienced relief as a result of their treatment with this medicine.

Dosage

For allergic rhinitis, the usual recommended dose for an adult is 10 mg orally once per day.

It comes in a chewable tablet, tablet, oral (by mouth) liquid, dissolvable tablet, and capsule form. Do not give this drug to a child younger than 2 years old.

Side Effects And Precautions Of Loratadine

Common side effects may include:

  • headaches;
  • sleepiness;
  • diarrhea;
  • dry throat;
  • dry mouth;
  • dry eyes;
  • stomach pain;
  • tiredness.

Rare side effects may include:

  • passing out;
  • liver damage;
  • low platelet count (thrombocytopenia);
  • seizures;
  • tightness in the chest;
  • an opposite reaction in which you feel jittery, excited, or nervous.

Tell your healthcare provider what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially:

  • vitamins;
  • tranquilizers;
  • sleeping pills;
  • sedatives;
  • pain medications;
  • muscle relaxants;
  • medications for depression;
  • medications for asthma or colds;
  • ketoconazole (Nizoral);
  • erythromycin (E-Mycin).

Flonase vs Claritin – Which Is More Effective?

Flonase is utilized to cure nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, as well as watery or scratchy vision caused by regular or year-round allergies.

Claritin contains the medication called loratadine which belongs to a group of drugs known as antihistamines. Loratadine reduces the effect of a natural chemical in the body called histamine that is responsible for many of the symptoms caused by regular or year-round allergies.

According to studies, loratadine is more efficient and has fewer side effects than fluticasone. However, the real problem is that both have plenty of side effects and don’t cure allergies.

5 Natural Allergy Relief Remedies

#1 Saline Water

Regular nasal saline irrigation can help to reduce and prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Also, they can help improve the function of cilia which helps clear the sinuses.

Sinus infections typically occur when swelling from allergens, irritants, viruses, or bacteria causes blockage of the opening of the sinuses.

#2 Nettle Infusion

A nettle infusion has potent anti-inflammatory and antihistamine attributes to relieve allergic rhinitis.

This is due to the high content of active compounds, like – chlorophyll A and B, flavonoids, organic acids, tannins, carotenoids, and amine compounds that are found in this plant.

#3 Steam Inhalation

Inhaling steam is considered one of the most effective natural treatments for allergic rhinitis. Moreover, when essential oils and steam are combined, they form an even better method to treat allergic rhinitis.

#4 Ginger

Due to its powerful anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, antiviral, and antibacterial characteristics, ginger is considered one of the most effective remedies for allergic rhinitis and its symptoms, like – a runny nose, a cough, or nasal congestion.

#5 Nutrition

Try to avoid foods that cause inflammation in the body, like – meats, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and foods that contain food additives.

Instead, focus on spinach, kale, Swiss chard, collard greens, watercress, blueberries, sweet potatoes, broccoli, red cabbage, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, onions, apple, papayas, pineapples, mangoes, cauliflower, which are all a great source of essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.

Images credit – Shutterstock & Getty

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?Term=%22loratadine%22+OR+%22claritin%22
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10099066
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4555631/ns/health-womens_health/t/study-

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