Need help re: NASONEX for allergies --

[~Magical Princess~]

Hi, does anyone know how "long" you are supposed to use that Nasonex nasal spray? I was terribly stuffed up last week and began using the Nasonex and it's worked wonders (it says optimal results are within 1 - 2 weeks) - and so my question is - do you keep using it so the stuffiness WONT return - or do you stop after two weeks?

Thought I'd ask the experts here before phoning the ol' doc!

 

[Krisu]

I've never seen a time limit written on Nasonex scripts. I think it's whenever needed.

 

[Eeyore2U]

I've been on it for years.

 

[shortbun]

I was using it and several friends told me to
get off it as it was "addictive". It really helped
me with my allergies so I use it a week at a
time and then go off it until I can't stand it
anymore-the allergy symptons. I haven't asked
a pharmacist nor a doctor about my friends and
their allegations. More "stuff" to ponder.
It took me about a week the first time to really
feel better.
mimi

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I never heard of Nasonex being addictive. I don't think flonase is either. DD takes that. Do it until at least frost.
OR you could allergy shots once a week like me!

OHHH THE RAGWEED IS KILLING MEEEE...even with the shots.

 

[Kermit]

I haven't taken Nasonex, but I've taken Nasacort and Flonaise (both very similar), and DH takes Nasonex. (I'm not taking any nasal sprays right now since I'm pregnant and apparently you aren't supposed to give the baby steroids. ) You really should continue taking it as long as you expect your allergies to continue. If it's fall hay fever, after you've had a few hard freezes is probably an okay time to stop.

All of those meds take about 2 weeks before they really get into your system and start working at their fullest potential, so you can get pretty sick before they start working again if you stop and then start when you feel bad. I think that the older nasal sprays and many that you can still buy over the counter are supposed to be addictive, but I'm not sure about these. I stopped when I started trying to conceive with no problems at all.

DH and I both stop in the winter (we'd get nose bleeds if we continued, since the heater dries the air so much), and he stops again at the end of spring. We both start them around Valentine's Day so that we'll have been taking them 2 weeks before allergy season starts. He stops around sometime in April or May since he hates putting stuff in his nose and sneezes all summer. I make him start again in September, or his sneezing from rag weed allergies will keep me up all night. We both stop after a few freezes when everything is dead.

 

[wdwpluto]

I highly reccommend saline nasal spray... it's non steroidal and it helps clear the congestion. You can use it forever as many times a day as you want. I hated all the prescription nasal sprays I tried... I mean really - Flonase smells like flowers - is that some sort of cruel joke to those of us with allergies?

Lori