Omnaris: A New Nasal Steroid for Allergies
Tuesday May 20, 2008
Omnaris (ciclesonide) is a new nasal steroid that has recently become available for the treatment of allergies. Do we need yet another nasal steroid? Omnaris joins many other nasal steroids available for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, including Flonase (fluticasone propinoate), Nasonex (mometasone), Veramyst (fluticasone furoate), Rhinocort (budesonide), Nasacort (triamcinolone) and others. Therefore, any new nasal steroid needs to establish a niche that separates it from the rest of the pack.
Omnaris is a pro-drug that is metabolized to its active form in the nasal mucosa. It is delivered to the nose in an inactive form, and has little to no steroid side effects prior to its activation within the nose. Therefore, Omnaris has no known whole-body steroid effects, including no increased risk for glaucoma, cataract formation, or Cushing syndrome. Omnaris also comes in a hypotonic solution (lower salt concentration that in human blood), which keeps the medication in the nose longer, and is less likely to drain in the throat.
Does this all mean that Omnaris is better than other nasal steroids? Time will tell. In the meantime, nasal steroids are the single best therapy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Comments
I don’t understand. How does being hypotonic prevent it from dripping down the throat?
As stated, hypotonic means that the solution is less saline than plasma. When the solution hits the mucous membrane water will be sucked out of the solution, thus reducing its fluidity. Theoretically this could mean that there is less dripping.
All I know is this stuff works. None of the others have EVER worked for me. Not even a little bit. My nose/sinuses haven’t been this clear in years. No more snoring either!!!! And I used to wake the neighbors! My doctors gave a sample to me a little over a week ago, and I’m sold. I’m calling for a prescription.
I agree! I have been suffering for almost 13 yrs and this is the 1st drug that has helped. Apparently, I have what is called non-allergy rhinitis and the normal drugs do not help me (ex. zyrtec, flonase, allegra, nasonex, just to name a few)
I agree! Got a free sample from my Doc and can breathe again. Also no foul taste, sore throat or dripping after use…just GREAT!
I just used this for the first time and am very happy with it! It is the first spray that doesn’t end up going down my throat. It also barely came out of my nose. I am satisfied so far!
I have been suffering from allergies for over 25 years. I took my first dose last night before bed and feel like a new woman. I was able to breath out of my nose when I woke up this morning, which I don’t ever remember being able to do. No other nose spray has ever worked for me without irritating my nose or tasting really bad. I have a new energy level with all of this oxygen I am taking in. It is a miracle!