Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
beclomethasone	Beconase AQ
budesonide	Rhinocort
flunisolide	Nasarel
fluticasone	Flonase, Veramyst
mometasone	Nasonex
triamcinolone	Nasacort AQ

These medicines require a prescription from your doctor.

How It Works

Nasal corticosteroid sprays reduce inflammation in the nose. This may help reduce congestion that leads to snoring.

Why It Is Used

Nasal corticosteroid sprays are used when congestion is the cause of snoring and other treatment has not relieved the congestion.

How Well It Works

Nasal corticosteroid sprays effectively decrease congestion, so they may reduce snoring.

Side Effects

Side effects of nasal corticosteroid sprays are rare and minimal, even after long periods of continuous use.

• The most common complaint is a burning sensation in the nose right after the spray is used. Some people experience an unpleasant aftertaste. Others may experience some dryness in the nasal mucous membranes. These side effects can often be avoided by changing the preparation used.
• Nosebleeds occur in some people using the nasal spray.

Rare side effects of nasal corticosteroid sprays include:

• Sores in the nose.
• A hole (perforation) that forms in the wall between the nostrils (septum).

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Corticosteroids are not the kind of steroids used for muscle building. People do not "bulk up" when using corticosteroids.

There has been some concern that nasal corticosteroid sprays may cause side effects in children, such as growth delay and behavioral disturbances. At the recommended doses, nasal corticosteroid sprays have not been shown to produce serious side effects. But because of these concerns, nasal corticosteroid sprays are used in children only when needed. Ask your doctor if corticosteroids are right for your child, and if so, which ones to use.

Before using corticosteroids, a woman who is pregnant or breast-feeding should discuss with her doctor the risks of taking this medicine.

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