Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Flonase (fluticasone propionate)

Fluticasone (Flonase/Flovent) is one of the most prescribed corticosteroids, developed by GSK and approved in 1994. Available OTC as a nasal spray for allergies and as a prescription inhaler for asthma. Available generically.

At a glance

Approved indications

• Allergic asthma
• Allergic rhinitis
• Asthma management
• Atopic dermatitis
• Bronchospasm Prevention with COPD
• COPD Associated with Chronic Bronchitis
• Chronic Non-Allergic Rhinitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Discoid lupus erythematosus
• Eruption of skin
• Granuloma annulare
• Lichen simplex chronicus
• Non-allergic asthma
• Plaque psoriasis
• Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• Pruritus ani
• Pruritus of genital organs
• Pulmonary emphysema
• Scalp psoriasis
• Seborrheic dermatitis

Common side effects

• Ear, nose, and throat adverse events
• Tremor
• Nervousness
• Palpitations
• Muscle cramps
• Headache
• Tachycardia
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Hypokalemia
• Arrhythmias
• Muscle stiffness and rigidity
• Lower respiratory symptoms

Serious adverse events

• Pneumonia
• Bacterial infections
• Hepatic enzyme elevation
• Keratitis and conjunctivitis
• Fractures
• Compressed nerve syndromes
• Bone and cartilage disorders
• Wounds and lacerations
• Contusions and hematomas
• Throat irritation

Key clinical trials

• Erdosteine Effect on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Response and Immune Modulation in Patients With COPD. A Single Center, Open Label, Double Arm, Controlled, 4-week, Explorative, ex Vivo Study." (NA)
• Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-group, Open-label, Non-inferiority Study of N0783 Versus Comparator (Formoterol 6 mcg / Budesonide 200 mcg) in the Treatment of Moderate Asthma (Phase 3)
• A 26-Week Open-Label Study to Assess the Long-Term Safety of Fluticasone Propionate Multidose Dry Powder Inhaler and Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol Multidose Dry Powder Inhaler in Patients 12 Years (Phase 3)
• An Exploratory Study to Evaluate the Response of Salmeterol Plus Fluticasone vs Fluticasone Alone to Experimental Nasal Inoculation With Rhinovirus (Phase 4)
• A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Once-Daily Intranasal Administration of Fluticasone Furoate Nasal Spray 110mcg (Phase 4)
• Effects of Treated and Untreated Allergic Rhinitis on Mood, Cognitive Functions and Actual Driving Performance (NA)
• A Six-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Quadruple-Dummy Parallel Group Multiple Dose Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Tiotropium Inhalation Capsules Plus Formoterol Inhalation Capsules to Salm (Phase 4)
• An Open-Label, Crossover Study to Determine the Pharmacokinetic Profile and Tolerability of Single Doses of High Strength Fluticasone Propionate Multidose Dry Powder Inhaler and Fluticasone Propionate (Phase 1)

Patents

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Flonase CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Flonase updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) portfolio CI