Triamcinolone, the active ingredient of the prescription nasal spray Nasacort AQ, is a corticosteroid drug used to treat seasonal or continual nasal allergy symptoms. Corticosteroids improve allergy symptoms by reducing mucus and swelling in the sinus area, thus improving ease of breathing. Use of tramcinolone nasally is considered safe for people older than 2 years of age, according to the US Food and Drug Administration approval. Nasacort AQ is, however, associated with some side effects.
Local Nasal Side Effects
The most common side effects associated with Nasacort AQ use are in the nose and throat areas. In clinical studies conducted during the drug approval process, more people experienced nose bleed and sore throat with Nasacort AQ than with a placebo spray. Local irritation is common with nasal spray applications, and use of saline spray before the corticosteroid spray may reduce these symptoms.
Rare Nasal Side Effects
Less often, use of Nasacort AQ can cause damage to the nasal septum, which is the thin wall of tissue between the nostrils, and can cause yeast infections in the nose. Correct use of the nasal spray can help avoid tears in the nasal tissue, and frequent nasal passage checks by a physician can identify yeast infections. Yeast infections occur more often with long-term use.
Side Effects in the Body
The benefit of using corticosteroids as a nasal spray formulation is that the drug is sent directly to the needed area and avoids the rest of the body. However, side effects in the body are possible even with nasal spray administration, especially with long-term use, use of the highest approved doses and use in patients who are more susceptible to corticosteroid effects. Some possible side effects in the body include increased risk of infections because of a suppressed immune system and decreased growth rate during corticosteroid use. In addition, suppression of the body's adrenal function and bodily glucocorticoid steroid production is rare but possible with Nasacort AQ and may lead to poor body responses to stress and infection.
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