Fluticasone nasal (nose) spray is a steroid medicine used to prevent and treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis and hay fever, including sneezing, itchy and runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and a blocked nose. These are conditions caused by irritants in the air such as pollen, house dust mites and animal dander (tiny flecks of skin shed by animals).
It works by reducing the swelling and irritation inside the nose.
Flixonase, Avamys and Nasofan are prescription-only for adults and children. You can get some brands of fluticasone nasal spray, such as Pirinase, from pharmacies and shops but you must be 18 years old or over.
Fluticasone also comes as nasal drops that are used to shrink nasal polyps (painless soft growths inside the nose) to relieve the blocked nose. These are only available on prescription. Brand names include Flixonase.
Fluticasone is a type of medicine called a steroid (or corticosteroid). It's not the same as anabolic steroids.
