It’s that time of year again: pollen season. Soon, runny, stuffy noses and sneezing will be the rule of the day. If you’re often battling seasonal allergies, maybe you’re considering using a nasal spray to keep the runny, stuffy nose from occurring.
Do you know about some of the common side effects of nasal sprays?
Common Nasal Spray Side Effects
Common Nasal Sprays
Common types of nasal spray, like Flonase, work by reducing the inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose. Typically, they are synthetic steroids of the glucocorticoid family of drugs. They are commonly prescribed for rhinitis or a stuffed-up nose.
These sprays are usually taken once daily, with one spray in each nostril. Occasionally nasal sprays can be taken twice daily. They typically include a number of side effects, but the severity can change depending on the person and the type of nasal spray.
Common Side Effects
There are a number of potential side effects with nasal sprays like Flonase. Notably, patients who take these types of nasal sprays often note that headaches and back pain can accompany them shortly after applying the medication. Sore throat and sneezing can also occur shortly after application, due to the nature of the medicine being taken.
Typically, a cough will accompany sore throat side effects. When paired with a headache, the side effects of a nasal spray can mimic feeling sick with a cold or flu. These are just the most common side effects, though others can occur.
Other sinus problems, such as soreness and nosebleeds, can also occur.
Other Side Effects
Other side effects that are rarer could include nausea, vomiting and loss of interest in sex. These side effects occur less commonly but are still a consideration. Some patients report getting white sores in their mouths or around their noses as a side effect, as well.
Some women also note menstrual problems as a side effect of some nasal sprays.
Alternatives
Nasal sprays are a common medication for allergy season, though they’re not the only way to deal with congestion. If you find that the side effects of nasal sprays effect you harshly, then you could consider some alternatives.
There are decongestant versions of some common allergy medicines, for instance. Allegra, Benadryl and other brand-name allergy medicines all have decongestant variants that can help with a stuffy nose. Keep in mind that these medications also have side effects, and make sure to never mix different decongestants together.