Effects of nasal drops on health
Like all medicines, the nasal spray or drops can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Common side effects
Side effects from the nasal spray or drops affect more than 1 in 100 people.
Side effects are as follows:
- unpleasant taste or smell;
- feeling of dryness and/or pain in the nose, nosebleeds;
- Dryness and/or sore throat, hoarseness;
- headache.
- If side effects persist for a long time, consult a doctor.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare. Fewer than 1 in 10,000 people have serious side effects from using the nasal spray or drops. Since very little of the drug reaches the rest of the body, the risk of serious side effects is low. However, the risk increases if you use nasal sprays or drops in high doses for several months.
Consult your doctor or call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- breathing problems;
- damage to the nasal mucosa or ulcers inside the nose;
- Visual disturbances such as blurred vision or a clouded lens - these may be signs of increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma) or cataracts.
If your doctor has prescribed high doses of fluticasone, or you are taking other steroid drugs or pills to treat fungal infections and HIV, you may develop symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.
A serious allergic reaction
Although this reaction is rare, it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the nasal spray or drops.
Symptoms may include:
- sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue;
- rapid or laboured breathing (may cause wheezing or suffocation);
- a feeling of tightness in the throat or difficulty swallowing;
- turning blue, pale, or darkening of the skin, tongue, or lips (if you have dark skin, this may be visible on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet);
- sudden confusion, drowsiness or dizziness;
- loss of consciousness;
- The baby is lethargic, relaxed, or unresponsive (the head may tilt to the side, back, or forward, or the baby may not be able to hold his head or focus on your face).
The listed symptoms may indicate a serious allergic reaction and require immediate hospitalization.
