Jackie asked
Which is better for pet allergies Flonase or Flonase Sensimist? My boyfriend says he is allergic to cats and I have two. He loves them to death and pets them all the time, but he has trouble with his sinuses being stuffy when he is home. Will one of these work better for him than the other?
Answer
Both Flonase and Flonase Sensimist are nasal corticosteroids that should be effective for treating and preventing allergy symptoms, such as those from animals. Flonase products can help to reduce:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy nose
- Sneezing
Unfortunately, there have been no head to head studies evaluating the effectiveness of Flonase vs. Flonase Sensimist. Nevertheless, we discuss some differences between the products below.
Flonase Or Flonse Sensimist: Which Is More Effective?
While both Flonase and Flonase Sensimist are both "Flonase" products, they do contain different active ingredients.
- Flonase contains Fluticasone Propionate.
- Flonase Sensimist contains Fluticasone Furoate.
Although Fluticasone Propionate and Fluticasone Furoate are similar in name and chemical structure, they are two different drug molecules with distinct properties.
- Multiple studies have shown that Fluticasone Furoate binds more strongly to the site of action, the glucocorticoid receptors, than Fluticasone Propionate. It is not known however, whether this stronger binding affinity is clinically relevant or makes Fluticasone Furoate more effective.
- Flonase Sensimist provides a smaller and gentler mist, to reduce the amount that could run out of the nose and reduce the scent of the medication. It therefore may be better tolerated than Flonase.
- Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) may be more effective for red, itchy and watery eyes. Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) has a FDA approved indication for treatment of itchy & watery eyes due to allergies while Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate) does not.
Additional Information Of Flonase Products
Since both Flonase and Flonase Sensimist are applied topically to the nostril, there is a very low risk developing any side effects. The most common side effects are slight irritation and drying of the nasal passages.
It is very important that when using this product, you aim it away from the nose septum, or the middle part of the nose that separates the nostrils because it can potentially cause a deviated septum with extended use.
When applying this medication, you want to aim the tip of the spray towards the outside of the nose. It is also important to try not to sniff up the medication. When the medication is sniffed up to reduce the amount of running out, some of it will get swallowed and this can potentially cause unwanted side effects.
Summary
- Both Flonase and Flonase Sensimist are effective for treating allergy symptoms, specifically nasal symptoms.
- However, Flonase Sensimist may be slightly more effective and better tolerated for some individuals.
