Steroid sprays can provide relief from both indoor and outdoor allergies.Just in time for the Spring allergy season of 2014, popular steroid nasal spray Nasacort is slated to be available for purchase without a prescription.
The FDA says that Nasacort, currently only available by prescription, has a “favorable risk-benefit profile” that makes it appropriate for sale over the counter in pharmacies in the United States. Nasacort will be the first nasal corticosteroid to be sold over the counter in the US, though it is already sold without prescription in ten other countries. In 2012, 1.7 million prescriptions were written for Nasacort and various generic versions, according to Nasacort manufacturer Sanofi. Nasacort sales in 2012 were close to $100 million.
How Does Nasacort Work?
Triamcinolone acetonide is the active ingredient in Nasacort. It is a synthetic corticosteroid that can be used to treat certain skin conditions, mouth sores, and nasal allergy symptoms. It is more potent than the corticosteroid prednisone. With Nasacort, the drug is delivered via metered spray dose from the container it comes in. A single dose provides 24 hours of relief from nasal allergy symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, itchy nose, and sneezing. Unlike decongestant nasal sprays, Nasacort takes time to work, but it does not carry the risk of “rebound congestion” that can develop from overuse of decongestant sprays. It is prescribed to provide relief from allergies to both indoor (dust mites, pet dander) and outdoor (pollen, mold) allergens.
While Nasacort is a steroid, it is not the same type of steroid as anabolic steroids you may have read about in sports scandals. Corticosteroids like the one in Nasacort are naturally produced by the adrenal glands, and have been synthesized for medical use for decades. They are used to address the immune response caused by allergic reactions, and are found in over-the-counter skin creams, like the hydrocortisone cream that many people keep in their first aid kits for rashes and insect bites.
Nasacort has been reviewed by the FDA as having a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio for over-the-counter sales.Is the Nonprescription Version Different from the Prescription Version?
The Nasacort that will be available over the counter in 2014 has the same strength as prescription Nasacort. Its safety profile indicates to regulatory authorities that the benefits of selling the drug without requiring a prescription outweigh the risks. It is expected to be available in 60-dose and 120-dose containers, for two or four months of relief if taken on a daily basis.
What You Should Know About Taking Nasacort
If you currently take Nasacort by prescription, you should be aware that your healthcare insurance prescription coverage will probably not cover Nasacort once it’s sold over the counter. However, if you have a flexible spending account (FSA), you will be able to use FSA funds to pay for over-the-counter medications as long as you have a doctor write you a prescription for it.
Because Nasacort is a corticosteroid and not a decongestant or antihistamine, it does not cause drowsiness, and is not habit-forming. If you take other allergy medications, you should ask your pharmacist or doctor about any potential interactions between Nasacort and those medications. Nasacort is considered safe for people who take medications for high blood pressure, unlike some other allergy medications.
If Spring 2014 is too long to wait for allergy relief, you can obtain prescription Nasacort quickly and without hassle through eDrugstore.com. eDrugstore.com dispenses prescription Nasacort, often shipping the product on the same day it’s ordered using trusted shipping companies like FedEx. We are also HIPAA-compliant, and adhere to the highest standards of online security.
Photo Credits: Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net, Portugepunk / morguefile.com
We specialize in providing our over 1,000,000 customers with relevant product and condition information created by our professional editorial staff which includes our team of medical writers, medical practitioners, and health educators. eDrugStore.com Staff on Facebook