Flonase Vs. Flonase Sensimist: What Is The Difference?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist explains the difference between the various formulations of Flonase.
Hi! I was in the store the other day and I saw a new Flonase product called 'Flonase Sensimist'. Is this any different than the regular Flonase?
Mar 13, 2022- Flonase Sensimist uses a different active ingredient and gentler spray mechanism that may cause less nasal dripping than regular Flonase. Flonase Sensimist is approved for children as young as 2 years old while regular Flonase is approved starting at age 4. Flonase Sensimist is the only option between the two if you need to treat itchy and watery eyes from allergies.
Thanks for reaching out! You are correct that there are two different versions of Flonase available to buy. Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate), once a prescription-only drug, has been available OTC (over-the-counter) since 2015 while February 2017 marked the launch of the OTC product Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate).
Your question is a common one we get, which is: What is the difference between the two products?
Flonase Products
There are in fact three different over-the-counter steroid nasal sprays that all contain Fluticasone. These products are:
- Flonase
- Flonase Sensimist
- ClariSpray
Flonase and ClariSpray both contain Fluticasone Propionate. Flonase Sensimist contains Fluticasone Furoate. Flonase Sensimist is the OTC version of the prescription product Veramyst, which will be discontinued shortly after the launch of Flonase Sensimist.
Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate) VS. Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate)
Although Fluticasone Propionate and Fluticasone Furoate are similar in name and chemical structure, they are two different drug molecules with distinct properties. They are often confused as simply different salt forms of the same drug, but that is not the case.
Multiple studies have shown that Fluticasone Furoate binds more strongly to the site of action, the glucocorticoid receptor, than Fluticasone Propionate. While this certainly is a distinct difference between the two drugs, it is not known whether this stronger binding affinity is clinically relevant.
With regard to Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate) and Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate), there are some differences:
- Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) may be gentler on the nasal passages and better tolerated. According to the manufacturer, Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) has a patented spray mechanism that delivers the medication more gently than other products. This gentler spray may also result in less dripping from the nostrils.
- Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) is approved for use in children aged 2 years and older. Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate) is approved for children aged 4 years and older. So if you want to use a Flonase product for a child under 4, your only option is Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate).
- Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) may be more effective for red, itchy, and watery eyes. Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) has an FDA-approved indication for treatment of itchy & watery eyes due to allergies while Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate) does not. If you are having trouble with allergy symptoms in your eye (redness, itching, watering), Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate) may be a better option.
Cost
You can expect to pay slightly more for Flonase Sensimist (Fluticasone Furoate). A 120 spray bottle costs around $25-30 while a 120 spray bottle of Flonase (Fluticasone Propionate) costs around $20-25.
Final Words
I hope this helped answer your question! Please feel free to reach out to one of our expert pharmacists if you need anything else.
References & sources
- Efficacy of a steroid nasal spray compared with an antihistamine nasal spray in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis — PubMed
- Comparison of fluticasone furoate and fluticasone propionate for the treatment of Japanese cedar pollinosis — PubMed
- Fluticasone furoate/fluticasone propionate – different drugs with different properties — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- OTC (over-the-counter)
- Medications that can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor.
- Fluticasone Propionate
- A corticosteroid medication that reduces inflammation and is found in Flonase and ClariSpray nasal sprays.
- Fluticasone Furoate
- A different corticosteroid medication similar to Fluticasone Propionate but with a different chemical structure, found in Flonase Sensimist.
- Steroid nasal sprays
- Medications sprayed into the nose containing corticosteroids that reduce inflammation and allergy symptoms.
- Glucocorticoid receptor
- The target site in the body where steroid medications attach and exert their anti-inflammatory effects.
- Binding affinity
- The strength with which a medication attaches to its target site in the body.
- FDA-approved indication
- An official permission from the Food and Drug Administration for a medication to be used to treat a specific condition.
- Salt forms
- Different chemical combinations of the same active ingredient that may have different properties.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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