Cortisone as a nasal spray

introduction

Cortisone is a messenger substance made from cholesterol that belongs to the group of steroid hormones. Strictly speaking, it belongs to the glucocorticoids, a specific subgroup of steroid hormones.
Cortisone, which is often administered as a drug, is basically only the inactive form of the cortisol produced by the organism itself, but in this chemical structure it cannot develop any effect.
This fact is due to the fact that cortisone itself is not able to bind to the body cell.
For this reason, it makes little sense to apply it to the skin; if taken orally or administered via the vein, the molecule can, however, be converted enzymatically into the active form cortisol.
In long-lasting stressful situations, cortisol is increasingly produced and released into the bloodstream.
In this context, it has a similar effect to adrenaline and noradrenaline, but it only occurs with a delay.

application areas

Cortisone has one anti-allergic and decongestant effect on the Nasal mucosa.
Just at allergic reactions and special nasal diseases come with cortisone Nasal sprays for use. A very common area of ​​application is hay fever or other forms of allergy (house dust, animal hair, etc.)

type of application

How often the cortisone nasal spray should be used daily must be determined by the attending physician.
An independent overdose is to be avoided.
If a patient suffers from allergic reactions, it is usually necessary to use the nasal spray once a day, preferably in the morning or in the evening. The preparation is used up to 2 times a day for nasal diseases. A 3-time application may be necessary in the course of serious illnesses and / or operations, it is then advisable to use the drug in the morning, at noon and in the evening.
In addition to the correct dosage, of course, an ideal application also plays a decisive role in the success of the treatment. Only when the cortisone nasal spray reaches all areas in the nose that require treatment can it develop its full effect. As a result, the spray should be applied as deeply as possible into the nose.
However, sometimes (for example with a blocked nose) it is not easy to spray the medication unhindered. In such cases, the simultaneous use of decongestant nasal sprays such as Nasivin, Nasic® or Otriven can help to make the inside of the nose more accessible. The patient should first use a decongestant and only 20 minutes later the cortisone-containing nasal spray. In addition, spraying while lying down is usually more effective.

effect

Active ingredients similar to cortisone alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and of non-seasonal rhinitis caused by a house dust allergy.

Read more on the topic: House dust allergy

The active ingredients, which are all related to cortisone, reduce the release of messenger substances that play an important role in the allergic reaction. They have anti-inflammatory effects and relieve irritation of the nasal mucosa. Doing so will improve symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. They also have a decongestant effect on the nasal mucosa. However, they damage the nasal mucosa with long-term use. In contrast to nasal sprays, which contain alpha-1 sympathomimetics such as xylometazoline, they also do not lead to dependence on the nasal mucosa.

Learn more about: Nasal spray for an allergy

Nasal spray with cortisone for hay fever

Hay fever, which is known in technical terms as seasonal, allergic rhinitis, affects a great many people. Because of the Pollen count in the Spring months those affected suffer from sniff and Itchy eyes.

There are several drugs that are used to treat hay fever and can help relieve symptoms. These include, among other things Nasal sprays with active ingredients similar to cortisone. These are for short-term use thought and can relieve symptoms. They do, however not a cure, or a loss of allergy. Contrary to many claims, nasal sprays with cortisone-like additives can very well be used for a long-term treatment. However, since the hay fever is limited to a certain time window in the year, the treatment with the nasal sprays is limited in time anyway. However, the allergy should have been diagnosed at least once by a doctor.

At Intolerances may the nasal sprays not used become. The exact type of application should be clarified in advance with a doctor, even if the nasal sprays are available from the pharmacy without a prescription. This avoids application errors and provides adequate information about possible side effects. The effect of the cortisone usually starts after about 12 hours and can reach the maximum effect after 48 hours. Therefore, it should be applied regularly, preferably at the best early morning, respectively. Usually one spray a day is enough.

Nasal spray with cortisone for colds

With a cold it is Use of nasal sprays containing cortisone is not recommended. A sniff is a Infectious diseasethat mostly by Viruses and only rarely is caused by bacteria. Nasal sprays with other additives, such as xylometazoline, are used to treat the runny nose. Nasal sprays with this active ingredient, which belongs to the group of alpha-1 sympathomimetics, must not be used for longer than three weeks, as otherwise the nasal mucosa may become dependent.

However, nasal sprays containing cortisone are unsuitable for treatment, as they would even promote infection. Your benefit is to treat one allergic occurrences. Therefore, you should avoid this type of nasal spray if you have an infectious runny nose.

Side effects

Treatment with cortisone nasal spray usually does not have any significant side effects when used for a short time, as the active ingredient usually cannot penetrate the bloodstream from the nasal mucous membranes.
In addition, it can be stated that a nasal spray based on cortisone is much more gentle on the mucous membranes and therefore generally better tolerated compared to other decongestant sprays (e.g. Otrives).

Long-term and / or intensive use can lead to side effects. Some patients report dryness of the nasal mucosa and the occurrence of frequent nosebleeds.

Read more on the topic: Taper nose bleeds with nasal spray and cortisone

In addition, cortisone has an inhibiting effect on the body's defenses and can therefore promote the development of fungal or bacterial infections.
In addition, cortisone can increase intraocular pressure and / or trigger the development of cataracts.

What happens with permanent use?

Long-term use of nasal sprays containing corstison is not necessary in the case of hay fever. The hay fever occurs seasonally and is therefore limited in time. During this time, the nasal spray can be used continuously. The rest of the year, however, it would make no sense to use it. However, people who also suffer from a house dust allergy may have to rely on the nasal spray several times a year. In principle, permanent use is possible. Often one comes across opinions that claim that cortisone-containing nasal sprays are harmful, especially if they are used for a long time. However, this is not the case.

Over-the-counter nasal sprays in particular contain very small amounts of active ingredient that are applied topically. Hardly any active substance gets into the blood, so side effects are very rare. Of the Hormonal balance unlike long-term cortisone therapy with tablets, unaffected. There is also no need to fear withdrawal symptoms. In rare cases, side effects such as Epistaxis, a headache, Sneeze, Irritation the nose and throat, Respiratory infections or Nasal ulcers occur. In the event of side effects, it is best to contact your treating doctor and discuss how to proceed. In the event of allergic reactions to the drug, it must be discontinued immediately and a doctor must be consulted.

Which nasal sprays with cortisone are available without a prescription?

To treat the seasonal, allergic rhinitis (Hay fever) nasal sprays with active ingredients similar to cortisone are often used. Some of these are available from pharmacies without a prescription. However, they should only be used when there is an actual need. The hay fever should therefore have been diagnosed at least once by a doctor.

The range of different nasal sprays is large. They are manufactured by different companies and some have the same composition. However, the amount of cortisone can also vary. In the following section you will find a selection of nasal sprays with cortisone-like additives, which you can get over the counter from pharmacies. However, the overview does not claim to be complete, as the range of medications also changes from time to time:

1. RATIOALLERG hay fever nasal spray: Active ingredient contained: beclometasone dipropionate. For the short-term treatment of allergic hay fever. Company: Ratiopharm.

2. MOMETAHEXAL hay fever spray 50µg: Active ingredient contained: mometasone furoate. For the treatment of allergic hay fever in adults, provided that the initial diagnosis was made by a doctor. Company: Hexal AG.

3.RHINIVICT nasal 0.05 mg nasal dosing spray: Active ingredient contained: beclometasone dipropionate; For the short-term treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Company: Dermapharm AG.

4. OTRI allergy nasal spray fluticasone: Active ingredient contained: fluticasone. For use in allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Company: © GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co.

5. MOMEALLERG nasal spray 50 µg: Active ingredient contained: mometasone furoate. For use in allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Company: GALENpharma GmbH

Effectiveness of the pill

The effectiveness of the pill is limited by various drugs, so that adequate protection can be compromised. A well-known example of this are various antibiotics. C.However, ortisone and cortisone derivatives do not limit the effectiveness of the pillso that protection is guaranteed. Furthermore, nasal sprays with cortisone-like active ingredients only work locally on the nasal mucosa, so that systemic impairments and side effects are very unlikely