What is FLONASE® Allergy Relief and how does it work?

FLONASE® Allergy Relief is a nasal spray that works directly in the nose to relieve nasal allergy and eye-related allergy symptoms. FLONASE® contains fluticasone propionate—which for years has been the #1-prescribed allergy medicine.* As a nasal spray available over the counter, FLONASE® works locally right in the nose, and is minimally absorbed by the body.1

*Based on IMS Health Monthly TRx Allergy Market. 12-month period ending in May 2014.
1 GSK, UK Science 101 Presentation, page 39

What symptoms can FLONASE® relieve?

FLONASE® Allergy Relief helps relieve a broad range of symptoms of hay fever or upper respiratory allergies including:

• Nasal congestion
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Itchy nose
• Sneezing

How quickly does FLONASE® start working?

You should start to feel relief after the first time you use FLONASE® Allergy Relief. Keep using it every day because FLONASE® reaches full effectiveness after 3 or 4 days of continuous use.

How long does FLONASE® provide relief from allergy symptoms?

FLONASE® Allergy Relief works directly at the source, giving you 24-hour relief of your nose- and eye-related allergy symptoms. FLONASE® is meant to control your symptoms every day—all day and all night.

How many doses of FLONASE® Allergy Relief are needed daily for an adult?

In your first week, 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 to treat your symptoms.

How should children age 4–11 use FLONASE® Allergy Relief?

In their first week, children between the ages of 4 and 11 should use 1 spray in each nostril every day. The growth rate of some children may be slower while using this product. Children should use for the shortest amount of time necessary to achieve symptom relief. Talk to your child’s doctor if your child needs to use the spray for longer than two months a year.

• What do you do if you miss a day of FLONASE® treatment?
  
  If you miss a dose, just use your regular dose the next day. Don’t add an extra dose to make up for it.

  
  Does FLONASE® relieve allergy symptoms of the eyes?

  FLONASE® is the first and only allergy nasal spray that is indicated for both nose- and eye-related allergy symptoms. FLONASE® helps with itchy and watery eyes.

  
  What if I'm having severe sinus pain?

  If you feel severe pain in your face, have thick nasal discharge, or think you may have a sinus infection, stop using FLONASE® Allergy Relief and see your doctor. Your doctor may want to consider if other medicines are needed.
   

  Does FLONASE® relieve symptoms of indoor as well as outdoor allergies?

  FLONASE® Allergy Relief helps relieve a broad range of symptoms from many allergens. FLONASE® helps with outdoor allergens such as weed pollen, grass pollen, tree pollen, and mold spores. It also helps with indoor allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, and mold.

  How is FLONASE® different from an antihistamine tablet?

  FLONASE® Allergy Relief helps block 6 of the allergic responses your body has to allergies while antihistamines only help block 1 of the responses**.

  Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which is only 1 of the 6 key chemicals released in the inflammatory cascade. The rest of the cascade continues—as do the symptoms.

  And unlike allergy pills, which have to travel through the body before providing relief, FLONASE® is a nasal spray that works directly at the source—where you need it most. It is designed to have minimal absorption into the body.1

  **Mechanism vs. most OTC pills. FLONASE® acts on multiple inflammatory substances (histamine, prostaglandins, cytokines, tryptases, chemokines and leukotrienes). The exact number and precise mechanism are unknown.
  1 http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/04/briefing/2004-4067b1_08_flonase%20label%20kp.pdf

  How does FLONASE® compare to other nasal sprays?

  FLONASE® is the first and only allergy nasal spray that is indicated for both nose- and eye-related allergy symptoms, helping block 6 of the allergic responses your body has to allergies. Unlike some decongestant nasal sprays, which cannot be used for more than 3 days, FLONASE® can be used every day and provides sustained 24-hour symptom relief. 1,2

  1 GlaxoSmithKline. Data on file. 2013.
  2 Oxymetazoline HCl-menthol nasal. WebMD website. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-20236-Oxymetazoline+HCl-Menthol+Nasal.aspx? drugid=20236&drugname=Oxymetazoline+HCl-Menthol+Nasal.

  Should allergy sufferers discontinue use of antihistamine if they start using FLONASE®?

  FLONASE® is a single therapy for allergy symptom relief. No other allergy medicines are needed. FLONASE® works differently from antihistamines, helping to block 6 allergic responses that cause inflammation (antihistamines only block 1).* 1,2,3,4

  *Mechanism vs. most OTC allergy pills. FLONASE® acts on multiple inflammatory substances (histamine, prostaglandins, cytokines, tryptases, chemokines and leukotrienes). The exact number and precise mechanism are unknown.
  1 Bousquet J, Khaltaev N, Cruz A, Denburg J, et al. Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008 Update (in Collaboration With the World Health Organization, GA2LEN and Allergen). Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2008; 63(SUPPL.86): 8-160
  2 Derendorf H, Meltzer EO. Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology of Intranasal Corticosteroids: Clinical and Therapeutic Implications. Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2008; 63(10): 1292-1300.
  3 Bachert C. Geveart P. Effect of Intranasal Corticosteroids on Release of Cytokines and Inflammatory Mediators. Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Supplement. 1999; 54(57): 116-123.
  4 Yanez A, Rodrigo GJ. Intranasal Corticosteroids Versus Topical H1 Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review With Meta- Analysis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2002; 89(5): 479-484.

  What causes allergies?

  Allergies start when allergens like pollen or pet dander enter your body and trigger your immune system to respond. Your body’s natural response is to release multiple inflammatory substances—also referred to as “mediators”—that cause your allergy symptoms. There are multiple inflammatory substances—including histamine—that are behind the symptoms of seasonal allergies. FLONASE® Allergy Relief acts to help block the effects of six of these multiple inflammatory substances, including histamine.

• 
  What are the different types of allergies?

  Allergies stem from many different sources but there are 2 basic types: seasonal allergies and perennial allergies.

  Seasonal allergies are triggered by pollen during certain times in a season. They are mostly caused by airborne allergens such as pollen during spring, summer, and autumn. Grass pollen is considered by many to be the most common cause of seasonal allergies.

  People affected by perennial allergies have allergic symptoms throughout the year. These are caused by constant exposure to everyday allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores.

• 
  What are the common methods of treatment?
  
  Antihistamines are a common type of allergy treatment and have been used for years but they only block one of the many inflammatory substances—histamine—that produce allergy symptoms.
  
  Eye drops help to treat only the itchy, watery eyes associated with allergies. These drops contain antihistamine or stabilizers that prevent the release of histamine, one of the substances that cause allergic reactions.
  
  Home remedies, like the neti pot—which allows you to flush your nasal passages with warm water—may be effective for some people, but they must be kept clean because of the risk of infection.
  
  Nasal decongestants contain a topical medicine that shrinks sinuses to offer symptom relief but should not be used for more than three days.
  
  Anti-inflammatory nasal sprays, such as FLONASE® Allergy Relief, are sprayed directly into the nose (where allergic reactions to airborne allergens start). FLONASE® Allergy Relief is non-addictive and goes further than antihistamines to relieve the stuffy, congested feeling that you can get as late-phase symptoms kick in. FLONASE®Allergy Relief is effective in treating airborne allergy symptoms caused by pollen, mold spores, house dust mites, and pet dander.