The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved GlaxoSmithKline's Flonase allergy relief (fluticasone propionate 50 mcg spray), containing the No. 1 prescribed allergy treatment ingredient, as an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for temporary relief of the symptoms of hay fever or upper respiratory allergies.

Flonase allergy relief is the first and only over-the-counter nasal spray indicated for relief of all nasal and eye-related allergy symptoms including runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, nasal congestion and itchy and watery eyes. Flonase allergy relief will be available at full prescription strength and to provide 24-hour non-drowsy allergy relief.

Roughly 50 million people in the United States suffer from nasal allergies, and allergies take a toll on sufferers:

Nasal allergies can lead to fatigue, sleep disturbances, learning and attention problems and impaired function at work and/or school.

In 2010, Americans with allergic rhinitis (AR)  spent approximately $17.5 billion on health- related costs, lost more than 6 million work and school days and made more than 16 million visits to the doctor.

70 per cent of sufferers treat their symptoms; however, 50 per cent report they are not completely satisfied with their current method of treatment.

No other intra-nasal hay fever and allergy treatment has been proven more effective than Flonase allergy relief, a once-a-day nasal spray which helps relieve inflammation to provide 24-hour non-drowsy symptom relief. Fluticasone propionate, the active ingredient in Flonase allergy relief, has helped more allergy sufferers than any other nasal spray and has a well-established safety profile with 30 million accumulated patient years since it was first approved as a prescription medicine in 1994.

Colin Mackenzie, president of consumer healthcare North America at GSK, said, “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. GSK has a strong heritage—40 years— in discovering and developing respiratory treatments used by patients worldwide.  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.”

This approval will bring Flonase allergy relief to consumers in a convenient way at the same dosage strength as found in prescription Flonase. 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,” said Dr Vidhu Bansal-Dev, vice president, research and development, GSK.

Flonase allergy relief will be available over-the-counter in early 2015.

Flonase allergy relief (fluticasone propionate 50 mcg spray) is an approved over-the-counter (OTC) treatment for hay fever symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes in the United States.

Fluticasone propionate has been available over the counter in the UK for over 10 years under the brand name Flixonase, and subsequently as Pirinase. The product is also available over the counter in 11 other markets including Australia and in China where it is the number one corticosteroid nasal spray.