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!
I have suffered for years with allergies–bronchospasm, sneezes, itchy mouth.Have been using Advair, but now using Omnaris and had a weird reaction this a.m.–shaky, flushed. Am breathing fine.
I was skeptical but I’ve been using Omnaris for about a week now (Doctor sample) and I’m amazed. I used to have numerous sneezing fits a day and be chronically stuffy. Now I rarely sneeze and haven’t been stuffy at all. I love this stuff!
I’ve had “vasomotor” rhinitis for over 20 years. I’m an RN and every MD I’ve worked with has thrown up there hands in frustration as far as finding anything that will open my nose, oral or topical spray. Corrective septal surgery also ineffective. Afrin (Oxymetazoline) works beautifully, but then I have rebound and end up taking months to get off it. I’m going to try this Omnaris with the hope it truly is different than all the useless RX’d non-steroidals.
I’ve just sprayed my first dose of Omnaris into my sinuses, two minutes ago. I still don’t feel any relief… it must not be working. I will have to go back to my own concoction which consists of one part Flonase to three parts Nasonex to two parts Veramyst and four parts Nasacort. Mix with a dropper into empty tubinaire (Decadron Phosphate), mix well and begin using. If that does not work, add a little afrin to the mix.