Fluticasone nasal and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Man...
• July 8, 2021

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "My allergies/post nasal drip were at their worst, so I decided to try Flonase out of desperation. The first day or two I noticed immediate relief for my post nasal drip symptoms - but then the following days I began feeling extremely fatigued & anxious. I've suffered from anxiety & depression in the past and have it under control, so I am always aware when my mental health is feeling off - and the only logical explanation for this change was the introduction of Flonase in my system. I stopped using it immediately, and feel as though I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms - headache, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety - I would've thought I was going crazy, but was so relieved to see that others had similar experiences with Flonase. I'm feeling a bit better each day, but from past experiences with anxiety, I know it will take a bit of time to feel back to normal. In conclusion, I'd much rather deal with post nasal drip than have my mental health sent into a tailspin!"

• Dak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2020

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "Back pain, anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, dissociation, brain fog, oral thrush, headaches, floaters in vision, sore throat, dizziness, loss of balance, crust in nostrils, odd temperature sensations in limbs. Avoid at all costs."

• Fox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 16, 2021

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "Thank God I looked at these reviews! I thought I was going nuts thinking it was just me that all of this was happening to, and swore it was the Flonase that was causing me issues! My allergist actually had me doing 2 sprays in each nostril TWICE a day!!! I noticed that I started gaining weight, after working hard to lose 40 lbs., I'm back up 25 lbs!!! I started using it again after giving it a break due to nose bleeds and burning in my nostrils each time I used it. Plus it just wasn't working, and I was still congested no matter what I did! Also I suffer from anxiety issues, and couldn't understand why it seemed to be so much worse. All of these questions were answered by all of you who shared your experiences, and I want to thank you all so much. The bottle will be going in the trash as soon as I'm finished typing this review! No more Flonase, or the generic fluticasone, for me!"

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2020

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "Don’t take Flonase if you have anxiety or are sensitive to steroids. I took it for a few weeks and ended up in the ER 4 times! Racing heart, terrible anxiety, nausea, vomiting, severe mood swings and agitation. None of the doctors believed me when I said it was Flonase until they discovered I had Cushing’s Syndrome!! Now I’m having to wait weeks for the steroid to get out of my system! Just awful!"

• Puk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

Flonase (fluticasone) for Rhinitis "I used this Flonase for a period of 3 weeks! Worked well to relieve stuffy nose due to allergies. Then all the side effects started: anxiety, insomnia, thrush, headaches, etc. I switched back to regular allergy meds like Zyrtec. It took 2 weeks for the symptoms to subside. I wouldn’t recommend Flonase! Keep away!"

• Eff...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2020

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION IF YOU'RE PRONE TO ANXIETY! I've been taking this for a few months now, and I only experienced a slight decrease in allergies while becoming incredibly anxious and getting random mood swings throughout the day. Frankly, I wouldn't recommend Flonase to anyone if you have even the slightest tendency towards anxiety. It was also making me tired. I'm so glad I finally recognized what was causing this so that now I can potentially have things go back to normal."

• JCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2019

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "I gave this medication a 5/10 simply that it does a good job at reducing allergy rhinitis symptoms. However, I must say that I had to discontinue the medication after one week because of significant side effects. From the first day of use, I experienced severe anxiety and insomnia. The next day after stopping the medication, I was extremely lethargic with body aches. Pretty powerful drug for over-the-counter use in my opinion."

• Dam...
• September 9, 2021

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "STAY AWAY FROM THIS. I started taking it 2 years ago. The doctor recommended this for allergies and sinus problems. I can't believe it took me this long to realize all the problems I've been having were because of this stuff. I started with heart palpitations, pressure in my neck, high blood pressure, and really bad vertigo. I ended up in the ER twice, and I started to notice every time I took it, I was feeling anxiety and I had panic attacks. I never suffered from any of these problems. They recommended it again after my last vertigo attack, and I was feeling worse every time I took it. I started reading the reviews on another page. I am so glad I found other people with similar symptoms. Horrible. DO NOT TAKE THIS. It's in the trash now."

• Dev...
• January 10, 2021

Flonase (fluticasone) for Rhinitis "I felt like I was dying. After using Flonase for a month, for the first time in my life, I was experiencing anxiety and panic attacks. Another night, I was awoken by a horrible headache and vomited. The Flonase made it so hard to breathe I could only take shallow breaths, and my heart rate was way higher than usual. The only thing I could focus on was my breath and what's wrong with me. I would have never known it was the Flonase causing this if I didn’t look up the side effects online."

• Elt...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2022

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "This has been the most terrifying experience of my life. I couldn’t sleep, had weird heart palpitations, high blood pressure, extreme anxiety, and muscle twitches. It took me a while to figure out it was Flonase. After stopping this medication, I’m able to start feeling relief from those symptoms. I’d take a stuffy nose any day rather than use this horrible crap ever again! This stuff should be illegal!!"

• Bla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2022

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "Started taking Flonase and Claritin every day for sinus congestion and fluid in my ears. After using it for 2-3 weeks, my sinuses were clear and the fluid in my ears changed to confusion, brain fog, and a little dizziness. As a result, full-blown anxiety. Never experienced any anxiety in my life. Reading similar posts on here. My question is how long after quitting Flonase and Claritin will I feel better? Day 8 right now and making very little progress. Any comments?"

• Fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2023

Flonase (fluticasone) for Rhinitis "I have an anxiety disorder and take medications to manage it (Zoloft and Clonazepam). However, using Flonase Nasal Spray alongside these medications made me feel more energized, uncomfortable chest sensations, worse anxiety symptoms, and blurred vision. I used it for almost 3 months, administering 2 sprays in each nostril daily, then reducing it to 1 spray for 10 days before stopping completely. After a week, I experienced horrible anxiety and depression, which made me feel sick and anxious throughout the day. It was challenging to cope with severe anxiety for an extended period. It took me six weeks to feel normal again. If you suffer from mental problems, I strongly advise you not to take this medication. I don't understand how this medication can be sold over the counter in pharmacies."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2022

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "Don't take this drug. I had horrible anxiety, paranoia-like thoughts, heart palpitations, insomnia, my body was shaking and nightmares, as well as being tired. Also, I had nausea, dry mouth, and sore throat. It did help with a stuffy nose. I took Flonase on and off for several months. It took me a while to figure out why I was feeling so horrible and why I could not sleep. It might take weeks to feel completely better. When I stopped taking it the first time, it took about 3 weeks. Then I took it again and then I realized Flonase was causing my symptoms. The anxiety is not listed as a side effect, but in my case, it was Flonase that caused it."

• fle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2021

Flonase (fluticasone) for Rhinitis "The disappointing thing is how effective Flonase is at immediately reducing my sinus inflammation/congestion. I say this because - through trial and error - I've determined that Flonase causes me too many adverse effects to continue use. Much like an episode of anxiety, it comes with a racing heart and jittery feeling. My impression is that many doctors are either unaware of how common this tends to be or presume that a certain number of patients are hypochondriacs. To be fair, health-care professionals do have to deal with their fair share of hypochondriacs. But I would still make the argument that this medication is not ideal for patients sensitive to steroids (in general). Which is a widely accepted side effect of steroid medications - you're not crazy!"

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2022

Flonase (fluticasone) for Rhinitis "I took this because I was having trouble with allergies this year. I read the instructions, and it said 1 squirt per nostril for children under 12 and 2 squirts per nostril for adults. I thought, well, if children take this, it must be fine. NOT FINE. Racing heart. I mean, you can feel it going to burst. My joints and muscles would tense up without realizing. I was driving and suddenly began thinking cars were going to hit me. I'm a delivery driver, so I went straight home and then dealt with anxiety and rapid heartbeat. I hate the way it made me feel on day 1. On day 2 now, symptoms are subsiding, but I can't believe that it is suggested kids take this stuff, it's dangerous. The best thing to do with this is throw it in the waste basket."

• Gab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2023

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "It gave me headaches and nerve pain in my arms/legs/heels, and it was causing me anxiety and a general weird feeling. I stopped it, and symptoms went away. I tried it again, and I got the anxiety and nerve pain too. I was taking one puff in my nostril every day. I did some MRI scan later for an unrelated cause, and I found some unspecific demyelinated lesions. It might be related, as it did give me some really weird neurological symptoms. It took me 10 days to figure out what was happening. Thanks to everyone who shared their story."

• AJ ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2021

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "Yes, it does cause anxiety. Like the many users, even I took 3 months to find out that this is what caused me to go to mental health and have me all the issues: anxiety, insomnia, increased BP at night after I took it. When I went to the doctor, my BP showed normal in the morning, and my doctor thought I was losing my mind - till one day last week I figured it was Flonase."

• JJ1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2022

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "I took Flonase for a few days in a row, and it has now been 3 months since I’ve been off of it, and I am still struggling. It has turned my life upside down. I’ve had anxiety, depression, weird debilitating headaches, strange skin sensations, neurological problems such as tremors, vibrations, severe burning skin all over, hot flashes, cold chills, weakness, dizziness, nausea, numbness, tingling, blurred vision, and uncoordinated movements. This all started when I took Flonase several days in a row. In the past, I had taken it about once a month, so I didn’t notice the side effects as badly. The anxiety and depression have eased up a lot, and the headaches are a little less frequent. The burning feeling is still terrible. I still get very weak, and the skin sensations are still there. It feels like I’m swollen all over, even though there’s no visible swelling. Warn everyone you know about this."

• Lon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2023

Flonase (fluticasone) for Rhinitis "Took this for two days for dizziness. The first day it worked, but the second day it didn’t do anything. My anxiety was through the roof, I had heart palpitations, and my speech was off, along with using my hands to talk, which is not normal for me. It felt like I was on drugs, which I found embarrassing."

• Rai...
• November 4, 2016

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "I have developed allergies (pollen?) in the last 2 years. Go figure, I'm in my 50s. My eyes get itchy, red, and watery, and I scratch my eyelids and eyes so much. This irritates them, and the eyelid gets raw. I finally tried Flonase from a doctor. I got jittery and anxious. After a few days, the roof of my mouth got raw, sore, and painful. I did not rinse my mouth every time after use. Maybe I should have. It was destroying my skin on the roof of my mouth. I will never use Flonase again, I threw it away."

• Rai...
• November 4, 2016

Flonase (fluticasone) for Allergic Rhinitis "I have developed allergies (pollen?) in the last 2 years. Go figure, I'm in my 50s. My eyes get itchy, red, and watery, and I scratch my eyelids and eyes so much. This irritates them, and the eyelid gets raw. I finally tried Flonase from a doctor. I got jittery and anxious. After a few days, the roof of my mouth got raw, sore, and painful. I did not rinse my mouth every time after use. Maybe I should have. It was destroying my skin on the roof of my mouth. I will never use Flonase again, I threw it away."

• Do...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2022

Flonase (fluticasone) for Rhinitis "I took this for my inner ear infection and swollen lymph node. After the 3rd day of one squirt in the left nostril, I started getting anxiety and panic attacks. It worked great to relieve ear symptoms, but definitely not worth the anxiety and panic attacks."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 5, 2019

For Allergic Rhinitis "Do not use this awful stuff that causes headaches, eye pain, back pain, anxiety, racing heart, nosebleeds, foggy brain, and feeling generally unwell. I've tried to stop taking these 4 times over a period of 2 years, and each time felt better, but congestion came back. So I am now using a seawater spray, all natural, and feeling so much better."

• not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

Flonase (fluticasone) for Rhinitis "I was prescribed Flonase for sinus and middle ear pressure, 2 sprays each nostril, 2x per day. It works great, however, the heart palpitations and nervousness are not worth it for me. I had to stop using it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2019

"This is probably the worst nasal spray I have ever used. I had blocked eustachian tubes. The side effects are horrendous. I already suffer from anxiety, but this made it a whole lot worse, especially at night. My mood changes every 2 minutes. My heart races horribly. I can’t sleep. The anxiousness is worse at night as I am trying to sleep. I get this very weird feeling in the whole of my body when I try to relax, and I get up in a panic with a racing heart. I have been off it for 2-4 days now, and I am still having the side effects of it. I started using it a few weeks ago. If anyone is thinking of using it, please read the label and the possible side effects before you use it, as I stupidly didn’t. If anyone has a sensitive body or is sensitive to meds, I would advise not using this one."