Nasacort or Nasonex?
Nasacort is a brand name of Fluticasone Propionate (a steroid) used to treat cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose and cough. It is commonly known under various names including Nasoconazole, Flutamide, Fusidic Acid and other names. Nasonex is a brand name of Flunisol® (a steroid) used to treat cold symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose and cough. It is commonly known under various names including Flunocin®, Fluconazole, Fluconol®, Fluoxatine and other names.
Nasacort vs Nasonex: Which one should I use?
The main difference between these two drugs are their mechanism of action. Nasonex works by blocking the enzymes involved in the body’s immune response. This results in less inflammation and helps reduce the severity of symptoms. On the other hand, it does not cure any disease and may cause side effects like allergic reactions, liver damage and even death.
Flonase acts on different receptors than those for steroids. Therefore, it has no effect on the immune system at all but instead stimulates immunity through its anti-inflammatory properties.
This helps to combat cold, flu and allergies without the side effects of steroids. However, allergic reactions may still occur resulting in rashes, swelling or difficulty breathing.
Flonase is also an antibiotic, though not very effective and used mainly to prevent infections when surgery is done near the nose. A lot of people use it as a drug to increase testosterone levels in bodybuilders for faster recovery.
It does not work as an aphrodisiac though.
Both drugs can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including hay fever, skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema, and severe nosebleeds. (Some doctors even recommend it for babies who won’t stop crying).
It is also useful for the prevention of diseases like swine flu and meningitis.
As of now there are no major differences between these two drugs other than their price. Since they belong to different companies, the prices are not directly comparable.
Nasacort (Fluticasone) is cheaper than Flonase (Fluticasone), however you would need to take higher dosages of Flonase to achieve the same results since its concentration is lesser. (1mL of Flonase contains 107 mcg of Fluticasone while 1 mL of Nasacort contains 230 mcg of Fluticasone).
Since both drugs have the same active ingredient, fluticasone, they both contain similar side effects.
Nasacort vs Flonase: Common Side Effects
Both drugs can cause common side effects like eye irritation (redness or itchiness), nose bleeds, increase in body weight, stomach pain, vomiting and nausea. Use of these drugs can also increase your blood pressure.
Nasacort vs Flonase: Serious Side Effects
Nasacort (Fluticasone) can cause serious side effects like slowed growth in children, cataracts, glaucoma and worsening of allergic symptoms. It can also effect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, meaning it may cause an overproduction of cortisol.
This can result in Cushing’s syndrome which can cause symptoms like weight gain, thin skin, weak bones and muscle loss.
Flonase (Fluticasone) can increase your risk of cataracts and glaucoma as well. It may also cause your adrenal gland to stop working properly resulting in low cortisol levels.
This is a rare side effect that does not affect everyone.
Nasacort vs Flonase: Which one is Better?
