Nasal Allergy Relief Medications: Flonase, Nasacort, and Afrin

Frank Son, PharmD
May 19, 2022
4 min read

Updated: 17 hours ago

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) 2018 National Health Interview Survey, allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, affects approximately 19.2 million adults in the United States. Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to air particulates such as mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, and irritation of the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat.

After contacting each manufacturer, we at Pill Clarity have verified the animal-free status formulations of Flonase, Flonase Sensimist, Nasacort, and Afrin!

Class	Drug	Manufacturer	Verified Animal-Free
Steroid Nasal Spray	Fluticasone Propionate (Flonase)	Haleon	Contact our team for more information
Steroid Nasal Spray	Fluticasone Furoate (Flonase Sensimist)	Haleon	Contact our team for more information
Steroid Nasal Spray	Triamcinolone (Nasacort)	Sanofi	Contact our team for more information
Decongestant Nasal Spray	Oxymetazoline (Afrin)	Bayer	Contact our team for more information

How Do Steroid Nasal Sprays and Decongestant Nasal Sprays Work?

Steroid nasal sprays like Flonase and Nasacort constrict nasal blood vessels and directly reduce nasal inflammation. Decongestant nasal sprays, such as Afrin, constrict nasal blood vessels without a direct anti-inflammatory effect. It is important to note, that decongestant nasal sprays such as Afrin are recommended to not be used for greater than 3 consecutive days due to the risk of rebound congestion, an issue not present with steroid nasal sprays.

Nasal Allergy Relief Medication Information:

Drug Names, Age Restrictions, Directions for Use, and Side Effects

Drug	Age	Directions for use	Side effects
Flonase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray	≥ 4 years	4-11 years of age (adult supervision advised) 1 spray in each nostril once daily ≥ 12 years of age Week 1: use 2 sprays in each nostril once daily Week 2 through 6 months: use 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, as needed After 6 months of daily use: ask your doctor if you can keep using	Headache, Nosebleed The growth rate of some children may be slower while using this product
Flonase Sensimist	≥ 2 years	2-11 years of age (adult supervision advised) 1 spray in each nostril once daily ≥ 12 years of age Week 1: use 2 sprays in each nostril once daily Week 2 through 6 months: use 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, as needed After 6 months of daily use: ask your doctor if you can keep using	Headache, Nosebleed The growth rate of some children may be slower while using this product
Nasacort Allergy	≥ 2 years	2-5 years of age (adult supervision advised) 1 spray in each nostril once daily while sniffing gently 6-11 year of age (adult supervision advised) 1 spray in each nostril once daily while sniffing gently. If allergy symptoms do not improve, increase to 2 sprays in each nostril per day. Once allergy symptoms improve, reduce to 1 spray in each nostril per day ≥ 12 years of age Spray 2 times into each nostril while sniffing gently once daily. Once your allergy symptoms improve, reduce to 1 spray in each nostril per day	Headache, pharyngitis The growth rate of some children may be slower while using this product
Afrin Allergy Sinus Nasal Spray	≥ 6 years	≥ 6 years (6-11 years of age: adult supervision advised) 2 or 3 sprays in each nostril not more often than every 10 to 12 hours. Do not exceed 2 doses in any 24-hour period. When used for self-medication, do not use for more than 3 days	Nasal congestion (rebound; chronic use), nasal mucosa irritation

Co-authored by: Angela Wolfe

Disclaimer: The product and/or information provided on Pill Clarity is of a general nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not lab test the products to confirm that they are free from animal ingredients, and it is possible that the formulation and ingredients could have changed. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or product. The information provided in this post is accurate and up to date as of the date it was written. However, please note that circumstances and facts may change over time, and new information may become available that could alter the accuracy or relevance of the content. We encourage readers to verify and cross-reference any information provided here with trusted sources or consult relevant professionals for the most current and accurate updates.

Transparent medical information is a fundamental human right—your support helps keep this vital service alive.

Looking for certified and verified animal-free products?

Browse animal-free products on our online marketplace!

Thank you for your awareness and concern for animal-derived ingredients!

As a reminder, please comment on our FDA Citizen Petition, requesting clear labeling of animal-derived ingredients in medications. Together, we can make a difference.

If you have any further questions about ingredients in your medicines and supplements, feel free to reach out to the Pill Clarity team!

#GoAnimalFree #allergyseason #allergyrelief #nasalspray #Flonase #Nasacort #Afrin