Nasacort Vs. Nasonex: Whats The Difference?

Introduction

Nasacort and Nasonex are both allergy nasal sprays that contain drugs called corticosteroids. With allergies, the body’s immune system responds to an allergen, or trigger. This causes symptoms such as inflammation, which results in swelling and irritation. Corticosteroids such as Nasacort and Nasonex weaken the immune system, helping to reduce these symptoms.

Read on to learn more about how Nasacort and Nasonex are alike and different.

Drug features

The table below compares these drug uses side by side.

The following table compares other key features of Nasacort and Nasonex.

Cost, availability, and insurance

Both Nasacort and Nasonex have generic versions. Generic medications have the same active ingredient as the brand-name versions, but usually cost less. So, the generic versions of Nasacort and Nasonex likely cost less than the brand- name versions. At the time this article was written, the brand-name version of Nasacort was less expensive than the brand-name version of Nasonex, according to GoodRx.com.

Typically, Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour is not covered by prescription drug insurance plans because it is an OTC drug. However, your plan may cover triamcinolone acetonide, the generic version, if your doctor writes a prescription for it.

Side effects

The side effects of Nasacort and Nasonex are very similar. The chart below compares examples of possible side effects.

Drug interactions

Little information is available on drug interactions with Nasacort and Nasonex. Before starting Nasacort or Nasonex, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. This information can help your doctor prevent any possible interactions.

Use with other medical conditions

Nasacort and Nasonex can cause similar problems with certain medical conditions.

If you have any of the medical conditions checked in the table below, you should discuss them with your doctor before taking Nasacort or Nasonex.

Talk with your doctor

Side by side, Nasacort and Nasonex are very similar drugs. However, they have a few minor differences. These include:

• The conditions they treat: They both treat nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but Nasonex can also treat nasal polyps.
• If they need a prescription: Nasacort is available OTC and Nasonex requires a prescription.
• The health conditions they can affect: Nasonex has warnings for a few more health conditions than Nasacort does.

If you’d like to know more about how these drugs are alike or different, ask your doctor. They can tell you more about these drugs and if one of them is a good option for you.

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