I have lost all sense of taste and smell after using the generic version of Flonase, is there anything I can do to get it back?
Flonase - Is there anything I can do to recover my sense of smell & taste?
Question posted by BeaJay618 on 20 Jan 2012
Last updated on 25 February 2023
55 Answers Page 4
Shelly077
4 Aug 2017
My sense of smell has not fully returned since a sinus infection 6 weeks ago. My doctor told me to double the dosage (to twice a day) of my generic Flonase during the infection. After some trial and error I realized that Flonase was making the anosmia worse. The "glimpses" of smell that I had would disappear again after using the spray and I discontinued use approx 3 weeks ago. I have been panicked at the thought that 2 of my 5 senses might be permanently damaged.
I fully admit this might be a complete coincidence but two days ago I took a 500mg tumeric supplement that I occasionally use when my joints ache. The following morning I noticed a huge improvement in my sniffer. I even caught a whiff of my baby's freshly washed hair! That is a BIG deal for me. I took it again last night and this morning I could smell the coffee brewing. Again, I can't definitively prove that the turmeric is responsible but it's worth a try.
I also found a quercetin/bromelain complex useful for helping my sinus congestion after I discontinued the spray. I couldn't take Sudafed every day because my heart rate was going nuts. Best of luck to all of you! Don't give up hope.
Terri50
10 July 2017
I wish I read this before I used Flonase Sensimist. I used it for 3 days and stopped when I realized that, previously, no matter how badly my sinuses were clogged that I could still smell and taste. It's been 4 days since I last used it and I still can't smell or taste anything. I've emailed my doctor and awaiting a reply. I can't even smell the sulfur from a burning match.
Terri50
18 July 2017
Update. ..no sense of smell. Some taste sensation like really salty stuff but it's faint. Looking at seeing an ENT doctor.
SM1001
27 Sep 2017
Its been 6 months for me since I lost my sense of smell and taste. My taste has gotten a little better, but my sense of smell still at 0. I cant even smell if its right under my nose, so upsetting knowing Flonase did this.
Terri50
29 Sep 2017
9-28-17 It's now been about 3 months since I unfortunately used Flonase Sensimist. I am glad to report that about 80% of my sense of smell and taste has returned. I faithfully flushed my sinuses with plain saline, got antibiotics for the sinus infection... and waited and waited. Still hoping for 100%. BTW - I find that the posting of ads for the purchase of the meds that made us ill , ads that are now embedded in our discussion, to be a distasteful practice. I wish Drugs. com would be aware of how disturbing this is.
SM1001
30 Sep 2017
Iam going to try the saline flush but I think Going on 6 months now its probably not going to work, but at this point I will try anything. Next is ENT doctor
jboyko
6 July 2017
After only 2 doses of prescription Flonase, I totally lost taste and smell for 2 months. Gradually, I regained some, but it's been 2 years now and I only got back about 75%. I would warn others against using this product, as I never knew this was a possible side effect.
BeaJay618
6 July 2017
After about 6 months, I slowly started getting my sense of smell back
1Kaycee
31 Aug 2017
I just read in a thread from 2012 where commented that you may talk to your doctor about Theophylline. Did you try it? In the most recent post, you said you were slowly getting your sense of smell back. Are you using something else or did you completely stop all nasal sprays?
irem_melis0
28 Oct 2017
Has your senses come back completely?
irem_melis0
31 Oct 2017
Did your sense come back completely?
lvarr28
13 May 2017
Has your senses recovered?
lvarr28
13 May 2017
Sorry for typo - Have your senses been restored?
mp3car
13 May 2017
Yes. It was my wife that used it, for one week. After about a month or so, her sense of smell was mostly restored, wth it fully coming back, she thinks, a little later.
lvarr28
13 May 2017
Happy to hear that - and thanks for reaching out -I wake up with the hope that today they will be restored so far nothing. Take good care. Thanks again.
lvarr28
30 May 2017
After 10 days my sense of smell and taste are back - I will never take another nasal spray again moving forward.
CocoGigio
11 Feb 2018
Thank you for following up to let us know it returned. I've been panicking for five days now since I lost my smell and taste after using this once, maybe twice, I can't remember. I hope I get mine back soon, this is very scary.
NerissaD
16 Feb 2016
I am seeking an answer to this very question. I have lost my sense of taste and smell for a long time after taking the generic form of Flonase, and right now I am having greater issues and my doctor still proscribed it. Funny thing this is not one of the side effect the company posted.
Chavallos
11 April 2016
I am sorry to hear that you to have been made victim to Flonase. I took recently figured out that my loss of senses was due the use of Flonase. I had taken prescription Flonase for a month, but had already lost my sense of small, and taste from the OTC Flonase. It has taken over a month to put 2 & 2 together. From the what looks like thousands of others that have fell victims to this; it seems most likely that it is permanent for most all. I have already contacted my attorney, and am going to move forward against the company. My wife and I just bought a candle company just prior to the loss of my senses.
Lky4lve
28 April 2016
I used Flonase for about 3mths, lost all sense of smell and most of taste. Stopped it about 3mths ago and just starting to get some of my sense of smell and most of my taste back. I told my daughter today I was taking Zyrtec and it made me tired and she said flonaise works great, her husband uses it. I said Im not sure if I'm crazy but I think it made me loose my sense of smell and taste. Decided to google if anyone else had experienced this and sure enough found this site. Well at least I now know I'm not crazy... lol
zombiezim
16 May 2016
Thank you all! I gradually noticed my taste buds were off and the only thing I was doing differently was taking OTC Flonase. I immediately stopped after a few days of usage and after reading your comments. Nice to know that I'm not crazy!! Hope my taste comes back sooner rather than later.
Stillglade
23 May 2016
I too just started taking a prescription of Fluctasone Propionate nasal spray 2 days ago. I noticed yesterday that mint chewing gum tasted totally different and gross and that toothpaste also tasted different. But I had been sick for a week so I just put it together that maybe it was the Flonase and found this page. I hope my tastes have not been permanently impacted by this...
cprylit20016
29 May 2016
I, too, seem to be a victim of OTC flonase. I have used the product for several years and then it went over the counter. This past week I delayed in going to the Dr due a sore throat, cough and very congested sinuses. I purchased a new flonase and after about 4-5 days of use I no longer can smell or taste anything. Like you, the color of life has slipped out of my world. I went to the local clinic and I do have strep and a sinus infection. I have been placed on amoxillin 850 mg 2x a day and methylpredisone 4mg a pkg with instructions for dosage for the next 6 days. I'm on day 2. So far, my sense of smell and taste has not returned and after researching, I am so terrified it may not. I will try to see an ENT to get some answers after the Memorial Day weekend, seems one always is needed on a holiday. Good luck to you all and please advise me when your sense of smell returns, any positive feedback you may have is greatly appreciated!!!
deliwoman
15 June 2016
i started using flonase for a sinus infection. I used it for four days in January. I still have not gained my sense of smell or taste back. My husband uses the same thing all through allergy season with no problem. I can't even taste a halls cough drop. This is the worst
Inactive
26 Aug 2016
I used flonase for about 9 months, every night, (2pumps each nostril) before bed and in morning. Eventually,I noticed that I couldn't smell or taste my food & other everyday scents. I just attributed this to an ongoing sinus infection. But once my sinus infection cleared up, I still wasn't able to smell anything. I was so worried because I couldn't smell my newborn. I was also not able to smell rotten food, dirty diapers, natural gas. I just couldn't figure it out. I googled flonase and loss of smell, and found this forum. I immediately STOPPED using OTC Flonase. Eventually, after a month my taste came back and some of my sense of smell came back,it's been about 2 months today and I would say that I've regained about 75-80% of my sense of smell.
I went to my doctor a few days ago to tell her about my discovery with flonase. She didn't appear to know of these negative side effects. I basically begged her for stronger antibiotics still hoping I just have long term sinus infection (lasting a year). It's amazing how we take our sense of smell for granted. It's so important for safety,survival,and overall happiness. I'm so grateful that I've regained partial smell. I'm still hoping to return to 100%, but from what i went through, ive learned that any little bit (of return) is better than nothing. In conclusion, only partial sense of smell has returned, I'm hoping for more and will post any further outcomes in the future.
Chilly8
2 Sep 2016
I have been on prescription nasal sprays for about 15-20 yrs. Nasacort for many years then new Doc switched me over to Fluticasone/Flonase. Loss of smell was getting worse over last two years and finally lost all sense of smell about a year ago. Questioned Allergist, even went to ENT, nothing. I decided to stop taking the drug and after 1 month regained my sense of smell. Im done with these drugs!!
rosechintz
12 Dec 2016
I have found myself without taste or smell now. I too put two and two together and googled this just now. This is horrible that this has been going on this long and nothing has been done. I have used one bottle of OTC and about two or more bottles off Fluticasone over the last 6 months. I just sensed the loss last week. If anyone proceeds with a class action suit, I want to be notified. I am calling my doctor tomorrow to report this condition. It is criminal that this has gone on so very long without this nasal spray being recalled plus the fact that it is now over the counter.
SM1001
11 April 2017
GREAT!!! I had the worst cold ever in my life about 5 weeks ago where i could not even breath for a second and used nasal spray maybe two or three times since it was only thing that let me breathe for a few hours, and since the cold has subsided I have developed a loss of smell and taste that is driving me crazy and after reading all these I have no hope. I do not know how I can live like this, I literally cannot smell anything or taste any food at all. I even have no sense of hot or cold when I drink now too. This is horrible! I will not be able to smell if there is a fire in my own house or a like a gas leak. UNBELIEVABLE!
Lshan
11 May 2017
I too have lost my sense of smell and taste after using OTC Flonase. If anyone is doing anything legally i would be interested in being contacted please. I am very angry about this!!!
Class action suit?
Lshan
11 May 2017
I too have lost my sense of taste and smell since using Flonase and am interested in being contacted if anyone is filing a class action suit. Thank you
lvarr28
12 May 2017
I took RX Flonase a few times years ago for allergy/asthma at the advice of my PCP with no issues.
About two weeks ago my husband bought OTC Flonase (Lot L6009) at CVS for himself so I started using it as the flowers are in bloom and we planned on doing some yard work. Thankfully he's feeling fine as he only suffers from seasonal allergies occasionally.
Last Friday 5/5/17 I came down with either a very bad cold or an adverse allergic reaction. Typical sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes - next day burning eyes, low grade fever 99.4 and then a few days later asthma kicked in full swing- tightness in chest, wheezing, nasal and chest congestion, wet/productive cough and a sore throat.
By Monday 5/8/17 I lost complete sense of smell and taste - 100% gone - usually when I'm stuffed up if I blow my nose and then quickly eat or drink something I'd get a shred of taste back - but this time NOTHING. Halls cough drops won't work either!
My PCP will not disparage FLONASE - she prescribed antibiotic Augmentin 10 days. Let's see what happens. She thinks I have a sinus infection. I also emailed my allergist who has not treated me in many years so I'm hoping he replies.
I've never lost my sense of smell and taste for more than 2 days and I've been suffering with sinus/allergy/asthma/pulmonary issues for most of my life.
I did read, however, that lung infections, acute and chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, allergies, and even eosiniphils in mucus can all make you loss sense of smell and taste, but , this time it just feels "different"and I am worried Flonase is the culprit.
I am hoping both my senses return in a month (or less) and that my olfactory cleft or nerve is not permanently damaged.
I will keep you posted.
Best of health to you all.
Vmpettit
29 July 2017
I myself am a victim of loss of smell & taste after using the OTC Flonase spray. In Early 2017 My doctor suggested I use OTC Flonase due to a horrible flu I had been sick with. After a week of using this product I noticed I had no sense of smell or taste and even after I fully recovered from the flu I still had no taste or smell and i have not regained it since. I am very distraught about this!! Living this way is horrible!! Does anyone know if there is a lawsuit against this company??? Please help!
Mommyof2bugs
14 Aug 2015
I used OTC Flonase for about 3 or 4 days just once a day and my sense of smell is completely gone too. There has got to be something we can do about this...
mp3car
14 Aug 2015
It did come back! She (wife) used it about a week and then stopped, and it came back about 1 month later... Hope that helps relieve some of your worries!
Greatly Relieved
20 April 2015
I used Flonase only one time on 4-14-2015 and noticed 2 days later that my sense of smell was almost totally gone. I could not even smell natural gas. After reading other comments on the internet, including yours, I was very distraught, and was 99% sure it would never come back. I has come back as of today, 5 days later. I'm grateful beyond belief.
M Douglas
22 June 2015
I used Flonase for about a week and totally lost my sense of smell. It has been a month and I have gotten maybe 10% of my sense of smell back. You are the first person I have encountered who has had their smell come back to a normal level.
NOT RELIEVED.
BenHeather
2 July 2015
It's been several months since I last used OTC Flonase and my sense of smell has not come back at all. I can barely smell anything. In the morning, on occasion, I can smell about 10%. Otherwise nothing. Not even really strong smells such as cologne or perfume. It's truly frustrating and disheartening to hear that others suffer from this condition. Is there anything to do such as a class-action law suit? Otherwise, I'm open to hearing about ways I can get my sense of smell back. I live in Honolulu, so seeing the specialist in DC isn't an option right now. Any other suggestions?
By the way, when I used the prescription version of Flonase I never had a problem. It's only when I switched to the OTC version that my sense of smell went away.
M Douglas
3 July 2015
I've been all over the internet researching this. Very few people seem to fully recover their sense of smell. There is no class action suit that I can find. Apparently there is a nerve plate in our nose/sinus that has been damaged by Flonase... the good news is that those type of nerve cells can regenerate over time... I'm going on 2 months with maybe a 10% recovery.
Prescription Flonase listed loss of smell as a side effect, OTC Flonase does not. I had used Flonase in the past but only 1 or 2 times with no loss of smell. I imagine the reason there is so little stink about this is that loss of smell has no real monetary value, unless you are a chef or sommelier.
If I get more info I will post again on this thread.
BenHeather
3 July 2015
Thank you M Douglas. I appreciate the research you've done and the information on the possible nerve damage. I hope that my cells regenerate and my smell returns. Visualizing regeneration... :-)
evafrombrea
7 July 2015
This pissesme off to no end. I am sooo sorry you all are having to go through this. I do a lot of research on drugs, supplements and health issues and I have yet to find any kind of drug that helps a person's long term health, with the exception of trauma. And by trauma I mean heart attack, stroke, life threatening asthma attack, broken bones, etc. I will look for any kind of potential natural health remedies that could help you. Good luck to you all.
jboyko
16 July 2015
I used Flonase fir the very 1st time for the past 3 days and can't take the horrible taste and smell it gave me so am discontinuing use. Why are they allowed to sell this product with such a terrible side effect? I hope I get my senses of taste and smell back soon.
evelioaf
27 July 2015
Try zinc, zinc helps to nerve grow specially in the nerves of the epithelium. Today is well know that almost everyone is zinc deficient.
M Douglas
27 July 2015
My understanding is that the zinc in Xicam was also implicated in loss of the sense of smell.
Possibly a zinc supplement could help, but I am reluctant to try anything without some supporting evidence that it will be beneficial.
loulou36
15 June 2017
Hi i was prescribed yhis spray for chronic sinusitis. When my nose was blocked i could still taste and smell then after a few days of using the spray and my nose not blocked i suddenlt cpuldnt smell or tasytaste e my food properly. Only tonight i wondered if it could be associated with the spray and hoogled it and was alatmed how many people have used this spray and had the same problems and say they never regained their sense of smell or taste. Help!! Im panicking now!!
Meonbz
6 July 2017
I am having the same problems after just a few days of use. Can't taste or smell anything! Would you update if you got your senses back?
mcamickey
11 Dec 2017
I used 2 squirts of flonase (the prods advised dosage) and woke up the next morning with a total loss of smell. Later that day I spent several hours in a steam shower and regained it slightly but smells are less intense and I cant smell at the same distance as before. It has been about a week and I am contemplating suing the comp since there was no warning that even with appropriate use of the prod loss of smell is a risk. I am very outraged
mcamickey
11 Dec 2017
THE SAME exact situation! ONLY it took 3 hours to come back but it is less intense and I cant smell that well or taste that well
Cynlewis
22 Aug 2018
I just got a very by case of bronchitis recently and my nose was running and running for almost 3 weeks so I decided to use floatings maybe 3 times and I have noticed that my sense of smell has diminished greatly I thought it was just that I was sick by my nose is completely cleared up now. I like everybody else used the over the counter there is a person here that was from Honolulu who mentioned to class action suit I'm not one to Sue somebody but I think it's devastating to lose your sense of smell.
Is there anyone else who is up for a class action suit because this is not funny this is very serious
Cynlewis
22 Aug 2018
I was also wondering about a class action suit this is not funny it is very serious to lose your sense of smell with your taste I have been finding it very concerning and I didn't use it any more than 3 or 4 times
ThinkPoesy
8 March 2012
You didn't hear it from me, but your best hope is to get a prescription for Theophylline. It is indicated as a long term cure for asthma, but one doctor in the DC area has been having tremendous success curing patients with a loss of smell/taste, especially if they lost it during their life from an accident or situation like yours, rather than being born with it (like I myself am, that is, congenital anosmia--I can taste just fine). So, if you have a primary physician who's willing to give you a prescription for this now rarely used, but also pretty harmless drug, it is probably your best hope.
ThinkPoesy
8 March 2012
I should also add, if you have enough money and/or are close to the DC area, you could go this doctor himself and get a prescription for the drug.
BeaJay618
9 March 2012
Great advice! I will take it up with my doctor. Some of my smell has come back, at least every now and then I get something, but it is fleeting. Thanks again.
Jennygirl
11 June 2018
Did you ever regain your senses? How long did it take?
Ballenrn08
23 Sep 2018
I too have lost my sense of smell and taste after generic Flonase. I thought it was my cold. But as that cleared up I couldn’t taste or smell very well . He had me using Flonase for a month til I see him again. I stopped after 4 weeks. I can taste sweet, spicey and salty but not very well. I can’t imagine going through life without tasting well again. I will ask him for theophylline when I see him!!
Marvell
22 Jan 2012
Are you still using this product? Perhaps you will regain your sense of smell and taste once you finish using it.
BeaJay618
22 Jan 2012
No, I stopped as soon as I realized my loss was not due to the cold I had. I only used it a few times and attributed the loss of smell to my cold. But when my cold got better but my senses got worst, I knew there was a problem. I have been using saline flush in my nose and musinex to help break up any residual left overs from the flonase. To no effect. I stopped using flonase 4 days ago but still have no sense of smell or taste.
mp3car
22 April 2014
BeaJay,
Did your sense of smell/taste ever come back? My wife used flonase for a few days but then realized her sense of taste/smell totally went away after the first usage of it. It's been about two weeks, the cold is gone, but her sense of smell/taste has still not returned...
Ranchgoddess2016
2 Jan 2016
I have been using OTC Flonase for the first time since I had a prescription for it many years ago. I noticed to day (3rd day) I have no sense of smell or taste. Thank goodness I read these statements because I will NOT be using it today. The first day I used two squirts, second day one squirt, and today, none. I hope I get my sense of smell and taste back soon!! I never had this problem with the prescription one I used many years ago. :(
mp3car
2 Jan 2016
My wife's sense of smell/taste did return to normal after about a month or so... Thank goodness, because she's an excellent cook!
Robin0128
16 July 2016
I have been using OTC Flonase by md suggestion for a good year because of pretty bad, non-stop sinus allergies that often contributed to my chronic bronchitis. I definitely helped but have really noticed a huge loss of smell and taste. Reading that others had the same issues with Flonase eases my.mind on the possible issue. Now I must decide if there are other solutions to the sinus allergies/chronic bronchitis! Stopping the Flonase TODAY! Can only pray that since I've taken it for so long that my senses affected will come back!
Marianna8
16 Feb 2017
Hi Robin0128. I'm curious if your sense of smell has improved or returned. I've been using Flonase for about a month and just realized this morning that my sense of smell was gone. My doctor told me to use it for a good 6 months to get rid of this chronic sinus infection that I have. is it worth continuing in order to get better?
itsclarence
3 Nov 2017
just wanted to comment that I had this exact same problem. Lost my sense of taste after using the generic Flonase very briefly. I could still taste some savory foods very slightly but sweet foods had no taste at all. I finally regained my sense after about a month. Apparently it's a common side effect, sure would have been nice if they told us that beforehand!
Tgoodman
27 Jan 2020
For me, I waited it out. I looked into legal recourse, but no one would legally acknowledge that Flonase had done something to my senses. It took about three months for things to go back to now. I did go to an ENT doctor who assigned a steroid for seven days, but she couldn't find anything wrong. If this loss is due to to Flonase, rest assured my senses did come back. It took just long enough for me to get worried.
teresamarie1066
18 Sep 2020
I haven't used it for 4 yrs now and I still can't smell a thing!!!
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Further information
- Flonase uses and safety info
- Flonase prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Flonase (detailed)
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