Announcement

**dianat** · 07-Sep-2008, 12:11

I have read about similar complaints on this site, though I think it's been a while since it's been brought up. I believe the complaint was Flonase. I think the "poster" commented that the steroid spray was actually the culprit in a case of severe dry eye.

d

**Lucy** · 07-Sep-2008, 13:49

I use Nasacort on a regular basis. I do not know that it causes my eyes to feel worse. If I go off it, or run out for a bit, my nose may be stuffy and that just makes any eye condition worse. Lucy

**jenny2008** · 07-Sep-2008, 17:29

Thanks for both of your responses. Well, I am feeling so much better and haven't taken the Nasacort since Thursday. I am going to ask my doctor about it next Monday. For now, I think I will lay off it.

**Teri** · 08-Sep-2008, 11:11

nasal decongestants

Jen,

I'm positive that my steroid nasal spray (nasonex) worsened my dry eye last year. I experimented with it (one day on, one day off, half dosages, etc.), and my eyes were bone dry the days I took it.

You're right: dry eyes is not listed as a side effect, and my allergist and the ophthalmologist I was seeing both denied that it could be making my eyes worse. My family doc said, "Well, anything that dries out your nasal passages is going to dry out your eyes, too."

I haven't found anything that works for my allergy symptoms, but maybe you can try other nasal sprays and see if they're any better. Some are probably more drying than others. Or you could try something like Singulair, although that dried my eyes out, too.

Several people have suggested to me something that is used in other parts of the world (Neti Pot). It is a small pot and it shoots saline solution up one nostril and out the other and supposedly is very effective in relieving nasal congestion and clearing out allergens. I have not yet had the courage to try it.

Hope you find something that works for you!
Teri

**eva b** · 08-Sep-2008, 11:33

I'd be scared of using any steroid nasal sprays as well

even taking oral antihistamine had an effect on my eyes, I believe.

However, what I use for a blocked nose is saline spray (recommended initially by my ENT specialist when I'd had an adverse reaction to Beconase...)
It's available as an aerosol here in the UK, called Sterimar. Comes from France. Perhaps you could give that a try?

**Delta** · 10-Sep-2008, 17:31

Steroid nasal spray

Probably drying your eyes because it is steroid and it decreases some of your reflex tearing. Also it can dry the nasal passage. I think saline nasal spray in between use of steroid can be helpful.

**jenny2008** · 10-Sep-2008, 19:48

thanks everyone-and yeah I have heard of the neti pot.. thanks for all the suggestions.. i think i will be staying away from nasacort for now!

**deb01** · 07-Oct-2008, 11:05

BAK in nasal sprays could be the culprit also

Jen

I hope the neti-pot is working for you. I did want to mention that Nasonex contains Benzalkonium Chloride, not sure about Nasacort though. If it does contain BAK, perhaps that's what was causing/worsening the dryness?

I just came back from the pharmacy after filling an Rx for my son for Nasonex, and upon reading the ingredient list I realized it contained BAK. Too bad I didn't know that before I handed over my $$. (Which is ironic because the reason I asked the Dr. to switch to Nasonex from Rhinocort AQ was because it was cheaper on my Rx plan--and now we won't be using it anyway!)

At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, Rhinocort AQ does not contain BAK, (which I now know after looking into it), and didn't seem to cause dryness problems, so perhaps that may work for you should you need a spray again.

Also--thanks to Teri for the Neti-pot tip. We'll give this a try.

Deb

Announcement

Nasacort and dry eyes

Nasacort and dry eyes

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment