DESCRIPTION

Fluticasone propionate is a synthetic corticosteroid with the chemical name of S-fluoromethyl 6a,9a-difluoro-11b-hydroxy-16a-methyl-3-oxo-17a-propionyloxyandrosta -1, 4-diene-17b-carbothioate.

Fluticasone propionate is a white to off-white powder with a molecular weight of 500.6. It is practically insoluble in water, freely soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide, and slightly soluble in methanol and 95% ethanol.

Fluticasone propionate nasal spray 50 mg is an aqueous suspension of microfine fluticasone propionate for topical administration to the nasal mucosa by means of a metering, atomizing spray pump. Flonase nasal spray also contains microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrose, 0.02% w/w benzalkonium chloride, polysorbate 80, and 0.25% w/w phenylethyl alcohol, and has a pH between 5 and 7.

It is necessary to prime the pump before first use or after a period of non-use (1 week or more). After initial priming (6 actuations), each actuation delivers 50 mg of fluticasone propionate in 100 mg of formulation through the nasal adapter. Each bottle of Flonase nasal spray provides 120 metered sprays. After 120 metered sprays, the amount of fluticasone propionate delivered per actuation may not be consistent and the unit should be discarded.