Flonase Vs. Afrin: What Is The Difference?

Answer

Both Afrin (oxymetazoline) and Flonase (fluticasone) are used to treat nasal congestion, but they are very different drugs and must be used in different ways.

Although there are plenty of differences, I want to emphasize two important points:

• Afrin is faster acting than Flonase and works better for treating nasal congestion on an as-needed basis.  Relief generally takes less than one minute. It cannot be used consistently for long periods of time since it can cause rebound congestion.
• Flonase is a better choice for consistent use and works better to prevent nasal congestion from occurring. It does not tend to work quickly, however (i.e., it takes a few days of consistent use for best effect).

Nasal Steroids Are First-Line Therapies For Prevention

Flonase is a nasal corticosteroid that has potent anti-inflammatory effects when used intranasally.

Many sources list nasal steroids as the first-line option for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages). They are effective for other symptoms as well, including nasal itching and sneezing. This is why they are often recommended for those who suffer from allergies.

One downside of using nasal steroids such as Flonase for the treatment of congestion is that they typically do not provide immediate relief.

The onset of action of Flonase is about 7 hours, but it generally needs at least a few days of consistent use to provide noticeable relief, especially for more severe cases of nasal congestion.

Afrin Is For More Immediate-Relief

If you are in need of quick relief from nasal congestion, Afrin may be an appropriate choice.

Afrin is extremely effective in providing quick, short-term relief of nasal congestion.

It works by constricting the blood vessels in the nasal passages which promotes drainage, decreases inflammation, and improves airflow.

Once Afrin is administered, you will notice relief in as little as 10 seconds with effects lasting 4 to 12 hours. Unlike nasal steroids, however, Afrin generally has no effect on itching, sneezing, or a runny nose.

Afrin Cannot Be Used Long-Term Like Flonase

While Flonase can be used continuously for long periods of time, Afrin should not be used for more than 2 or 3 days in a row.

Prolonged use of Afrin can cause significant rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa), potentially making congestion worse than it initially was.

You can use both of these medications together. If you need immediate relief from nasal congestion, you can use Afrin and add Flonase in the same time period. This will help transition you when you need to stop Afrin after 2 to 3 days.

Final Words

So, to sum up, the main differentiating factors in deciding whether to use Afrin or Flonase are the length of use and how quickly you need relief.

• For quick relief, use Afrin nasal spray
• For long-term use, Flonase nasal spray is the better option

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