Copyright People’s Pharmacy

Q: Does taking a medication like Flonase, with immune-suppressing activity, increase chances of contracting COVID-19 or other illnesses?  Allergy season is almost here. I would like to use Flonase but am hesitant.

A: Flonase (fluticasone) is a strong corticosteroid nasal spray.  Fluticasone is used in both asthma and COPD inhalers.  A study conducted at the Cleveland Clinic found that COPD patients relying on inhaled corticosteroids were no more likely to need hospitalization or intensive care due to COVID-19 (pLoS One, June 3, 2021).  The scientists did not find higher rates of coronavirus infection among people using such medications.