FDA approves Flonase for OTC allergy treatment

GlaxoSmithKline announced that the FDA has approved its fluticasone propionate 50 mcg spray for over-the-counter treatment of hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms, according to a press release.

Flonase Allergy Relief nasal spray will be available at full prescription strength to provide 24-hour non-drowsy allergy relief beginning early in 2015, according to the release. Fluticasone propionate was approved as a prescription medication in 1994.

“With the significant number of allergy sufferers in the United States and a considerable number of those unsatisfied with their current treatments, we believe the wide availability of Flonase Allergy Relief over-the-counter is great news for these individuals,” Colin Mackenzie, president of Consumer Healthcare North America at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), said in the release. “We are proud of our track record of successful Rx-to-OTC switches, which over the years have significantly improved access to important medicines for our consumers.”

“For those with allergies, being able to find simple, effective relief over the counter may mean the difference between a day lost to allergies and a day enjoying their favorite activities,” Vidhu Bansal-Dev, PharmD, vice president, research and development, GSK, said in the release.

Fluticasone propionate has been available as an OTC therapy in the United Kingdom for more than 10 years, under the brand names of Flixonase and Pirinase, the release said. Eleven other OTC markets include Australia and China.