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.
When most people think about the side effects of (cortico)steroids, images of midgets or bodybuilders may come to mind. Many people with allergies and asthma use nasal and inhaled steroids on a daily basis, and yet don't look anything like these images. Oral steroids, which are used to treat asthma attacks and sometimes severe allergy symptoms (in the form of a seasonal "steroid shot") may cause severe side effects. Don't base your decision on using nasal or inhaled steroids on myth or fiction -- base your decision on fact -- and find out why these medications are safe and effective for the treatment of allergies and asthma.
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