February 07, 2015

Flonase Steroid Nasal Spray Now OTC

GlaxoSmithKline announced in July 2014 that the FDA has approved Flonase steroid nasal spray to be made available over-the-counter (OTC). It has now arrived! Flonase joins Nasacort which is has been available for purchase OTC for some time.

Flonase is available to purchase on Amazon now as well.

Flonase and Nasacort both are steroid nasal sprays used to treat allergies in patients. It is similar to prescription steroid nasal sprays like nasonex, omnaris, ceramist, etc. It is also the second steroid nasal spray made OTC in the United States which can be both a blessing as well as a curse.

Why?

With Nasacort and now Flonase going OTC which will certainly make it more convenient for patients, I also anticipate that the other prescription steroid nasal sprays including omnaris, nasonex, qnasl, zetonna, veramyst, etc will become much harder to prescribe due to insurance requiring patients to use OTC nasal sprays first. Worst case, insurance may even simply stop paying for the prescription steroid nasal sprays.

After all, this is exactly what happened with prescription reflux and anti-histamine medications.

Source:
FDA Approves Flonase® Allergy Relief For Sale Over-The-Counter In The United States. MarketWatch 7/24/14.


Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Ever since Flonase has gone OTC, the delivery method is AWFUL! Device is always clogging, resulting in constant 're-priming' which is a total waste of product, and of course $$$.


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