The FDA has approved Flonase Allergy Relief to relieve hay fever symptoms. This is the second nasal steroid to be approved without a prescription in the last year.
Nasal steroids are the most effective treatment for hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis.
Nasacort 24HR, approved last year, was the first nasal steroid available over-the-counter to treat nasal symptoms, including a stuffy nose, sneezing, and runny and itchy nose. Flonase Allergy Relief is approved to treat both nasal and eye symptoms, such as itchy and watery eyes, its maker GlaxoSmithKline announced.
An estimated 50 million people in the United States have nasal allergies, often leading to fatigue, trouble sleeping , learning and attention problems, and performance trouble at work or school, the company said.
The active ingredient in Flonase Allergy Relief, fluticasone propionate, was approved as a prescription medicine in 1994.
The nasal spray will be available over the counter in early 2015, according to GlaxoSmithKline.
Megan Brooks - WebMD
