Rhinocort vs Flonase – Which Is Better For Hay Fever?

Hay fever is an allergic disorder that is described by an excessive immune response to pollen grains and other substances.

Common symptoms may include – fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, allergic conjunctivitis, blue-colored skin under the eyes, cough, and sneezing.

In the present day, there is no cure for hay fever, however, the majority of people are able to relieve symptoms with treatment. Here are two popular medicines:

Rhinocort

It is a nasal spray containing budesonide, a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are hormones produced by the adrenal glands (endocrine glands that produce aldosterone, adrenaline, and cortisol) which have various functions inside the human body, including control of inflammatory responses.

Therefore, it relieves symptoms, like – runny nose, congestion, nasal itching, and sneezing.

Uses

It is typically used to treat non-allergic and allergic perennial rhinitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and vasomotor rhinitis, which have not responded to usual allopathic therapies. Moreover, it is used to treat some inflammatory bowel diseases – intestinal disorders which cause prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract.

Dosage

To treat allergic rhinitis, the usual recommended starting dose for adults is 2 sprays in each nostril. Once the symptoms are under control, the treatment can be reduced to 1 spray in each nostril in the morning.

Side Effects And Precautions Of Budesonide

Common side effects may include:

  • white patches around or inside the nose;
  • irritation in the throat;
  • irritation in the nose;
  • a cough;
  • a sore throat.

Rare side effects may include:

  • flu symptoms;
  • vision problems;
  • ongoing nose bleed;
  • body aches;
  • sores in the nose which won’t heal;
  • trouble breathing;

It is recommended to tell your healthcare professional if you have:

  • measles, chickenpox, or tuberculosis;
  • liver disease;
  • a herpes infection of the eye;
  • any type of infection;
  • asthma (sudden episodes of shortness of breath, wheezing, and problems breathing);
  • glaucoma (an eye condition);
  • cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye);
  • sores in the nose;
  • surgery on the nose.

Drug Interactions

It may interact with the following drugs:

  • levothyroxine;
  • ibuprofen;
  • hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic medication that is used to treat high blood pressure);
  • gabapentin;
  • Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine);
  • Cymbalta (duloxetine);
  • albuterol ( a medication that opens up the large and medium airways in the lungs);
  • Advair Diskus.

Flonase

It belongs to the class of medications called corticosteroids which work by preventing the release of certain chemicals from the cells, therefore, decreasing irritation and swelling in the airways to allow for a much easier breathing.

Uses

This drug is used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial rhinitis. Furthermore, it can relieve the itching and inflammation caused by numerous skin conditions. More importantly, this medicine is also found as a prescription medication that can be used to prevent symptoms of asthma.

Dosage

The usual dose of this nasal spray is 1 to two sprays in each nostril once or twice a day. The dose may change once the symptoms improve. Nevertheless, it is recommended to follow all dosing instructions carefully.

Note – it may take up to three doses of this nasal spray before the symptoms significantly improve. Tell your healthcare professional if the symptoms do not improve after 7 days of taking this medication.

Side Effects And Precautions Of Fluticasone

Side effects may include:

  • an unpleasant taste in the mouth;
  • a stinging sensation in the nose;
  • nosebleeds;
  • dryness in the nose;
  • perforation of the nasal septum;
  • an irritated throat;
  • cataracts;
  • swelling and redness in the nose;
  • raised pressure in the eye;
  • an unpleasant smell.

Before you start using this medication, it is essential that your healthcare specialist knows:

  • if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of drugs;
  • if you are pregnant or breastfeeding a baby;
  • if you are using any other drugs. This includes any medications you are using that are available to buy with or without a prescription, plus, complementary and herbal medicines.
  • if you have ever had pulmonary tuberculosis (a contagious, infectious condition which attacks the lungs);
  • if you have an infection in the mouth or eyes.

Some people can experience an allergic reaction, with symptoms including:

  • swelling of the tongue, mouth, face, lips, or throat;
  • hives;
  • rash;
  • unusual hoarseness;
  • itching;
  • wheezing;
  • red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin;
  • trouble breathing;
  • tightness in the chest or throat.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, contact your doctor before using this medication since there are no studies regarding its safe use by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Rhinocort vs Flonase – Which Is Better For Hay Fever?

Rhinocort is a steroid nasal spray that works when used regularly for nasal allergy symptoms. On the other hand, Flonase is an excellent treatment for allergies of the nose, however, long-term use can increase notably the risk of side effects.

Natural Remedies For Hay Fever

#1 Horseradish

It is a pungent and peppery root vegetable that acts as a decongestant. Horseradish helps in clearing the nasal passages, hence, it is very effective for treating the symptoms of hay fever.

Moreover, this root vegetable is effective in the fight against cancer due to its content of glucosinolate, the active compounds which are also responsible for their spicy flavor.

#2 Turmeric

Commonly used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine, turmeric contains curcumin, a natural phytochemical with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which are comparable to nonsteroidal and steroidal medicines.

Note – to improve the absorption of curcumin in the blood, it is recommended to consume black pepper with turmeric, because black pepper contains piperine, a substance that boosts the absorption of curcumin by about 2000 percent.

#3 Garlic

It has many health benefits for human health. For instance, garlic has been widely acknowledged by the scientific community as both a preventative agent and treatment for a variety of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Nevertheless, it is rather uncommon knowledge to know that garlic could also help alleviate hay fever symptoms. This happens because garlic acts as a potent decongestant.

#4 Drink Plenty Of Water

When you are well hydrated, the mucous membranes of the nose remain moist to expel allergens much faster.

#5 Tea

Green tea can help block the production of histamine and build up the immune system, while chamomile tea is known to help with your hay fever symptoms.

#5 Nutrition

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, which actually means that it can be beneficial for providing relief from allergy symptoms. Therefore, ensuring you get your daily intake of vitamin C could be an easy way to relieve your hay fever symptoms. Foods rich in vitamin C include – lemons, limes, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, broccoli, red cabbage, cauliflower, radishes, turnips, cherries, onions, or red kidney beans.

Images source – Shutterstock & Getty

READ THIS NEXT: Mucinex vs Delsym – Which Is The Better Cough Medicine?

References

https://www.aaaai.org/global/latest-research-summaries/New-Research-from-JACI-I
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00783458

1 thought on “Rhinocort vs Flonase – Which Is Better For Hay Fever?”

  1. You mentioned the drug interactions with Rhinocort but did not list the drug interactions with Flonase. Are the drug interactions the same for both drugs ?

    Reply

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