Patanase – Allergy Nasal Spray
What is Patanase?
Does Patanase Really Work?
Patanase is a prescription Allergy Nasal Spray used to treat seasonal allergies. In medical terms, Patanase is described as an H1 Receptor Antagonist. Basically, this means that Patanase is an antihistamine that blocks allergy symptoms. Patanase is unlike Nasonex, Flonase and Rhinocort which are steroidal nasal sprays. These older prescription, steroidal allergy medications have have been on the market for quite a number of years, and I have a little bit of experience with all of them. Patanase was approved for market by the FDA in April of 2008, making it the newest prescription, nasal allergy spray on the market. What all of the other steroidal prescription nasal, allergy sprays have in common is that they need to be used for a few days or more before they become effective at reducing seasonal allergy symptoms. Unlike an over-the-counter antihistamine which goes to work on your allergy symptoms within an hour, these prescription steroidal nasal sprays require regular use for 1-2 weeks before they become effective at blocking your allergies. Steroidal sprays, seemed well suited for people like me whose allergies persist through every season. They are used to prevent allergy symptoms over long periods of time. One of their advantages is is that they do not cause the drowsiness associated with over-the-counter antihistamines. Patanase, on the other hand, will go to work right away on your stuffy or sneezy nose, without the risk associated with long-term side effects of nasal steroids. The other over-the-counter choice for nasal allergies
Decongestant Nasal Spray
are Decongestant Nasal Sprays which have short-term side effects that are even worse than antihistamines. Prolonged use of these decongestant nasal sprays will almost always result in an addictive, chronic stuffy nose. Once you've started using a decongestant nasal spray, it is extremely hard to break the habit. Over-the-counter antihistamines are a choice that should never be used if you plan on being active or need to stay awake. Most of us just can't function during the day when using these non-prescription types of antihistamines. I frequently suffer from sinus congestion regardless of the season or time of year. When I first heard about Patanase I was curious as to how it compared to these other prescription nasal sprays. How effective is Patanase at relieving allergy symptoms and what kinds of side effects or long term risks are associated with using this new, allergy drug?
Patanase vs Nasonex
Nasonex vs Patanase
I have shamelessly used Nasonex regularly for several years to help keep my nose clear enough to sleep at night. Knowing that it is never a good idea to use any drug for a prolonged period of time, I finally weened myself of Nasonex about a month ago. I made the decision when my doctor finally refused to refill my prescription without a check-up. Having been off of Nasonex for a few weeks now, I've realized that there are many night when I can breathe well enough without the help of any drugs at all, thanks mostly to the alkalol sinus rinse, described here: Alkalol Sinus Remedy. I often wondered if there was something else I could take on a short-term, as needed basis, that wouldn't be addictive or have long term side effects. That's when I discovered Patanase. Patanase is advertised as a fast-acting, long-last, non-steroidal allergy reducer for adults 12-years of age and older. Like any drug, there are some described side effects such as bloody nose, dizziness, sleepiness, etc. However, unlike steroidal nasal sprays, Patanase does not have to be used regularly to be effective. In fact, Patanase can be used as needed just like any over-the-counter spray or antihistamine pill. The recommended dosage for Patanase is two sprays per day in each nostril twice a day as opposed to two sprays per nostril once a day for Nasonex. The makers of Patanase indicate that two sprays in each nostril should provide prompt relief of allergy symptoms within 30 minutes. If that is truly the case, then the big advantage Patanase has over Nasonex is that you don't have to continue taking it everyday to prevent allergy symptoms. Instead, you can use Patanase only when your allergy symptoms act up and your nasal passages require some relief.
Patanase Side Effects
I can say with absolute certainty that any and all drugs have side effects that are understated by doctors and drug companies. Prolonged use of Nasonex, for example, was causing my nose to bleed and even making me feel slightly edgy. Antihistmines like Claritin and Alavert make me feel a little drowsy and depressed. When I asked my doctor about these side effects a few years ago, he referred to a chart which indicated that an insignificantly small number of people experience these symptoms (less than 1%). I have a hard time believing this because many people I know describe the same side effects. If there is one big minus for Patanase, it's that it has a rather daunting side effect list. While none of the side effects seem serious, a significantly large number of users sampled (12%) reported bitter taste in the mouth. I imagine that this particular side effect is one that would bother me. If they say 12%, my guess is at least half of the people are noticing this. Other, less frequent side effects include headaches, bloody nose, sores in the nose, and the most serious; a hole in the nasal septum. Because this is not a drug that you take all the time, I am willing to put up with a few of the side effect risks associated with Patanase.
Does Patanase Really Work?
Patanase is recommended for seasonal allergies. My allergies are random, unpredictable and seem to persist throughout all four seasons; spring, summer, fall and winter. I believe, however, that my symptoms are still the result of the same kinds of things that irritate seasonal allergy sufferers. Because Patanase is an antihistamine, it should be able to prevent the symptoms associated with my year long allergies that stuff up my nose and make it hard to sleep at night. Patanase is something I could spray in my nose to get fast relief from the stuffiness, associated with these seasonal allergies that bother me at night. Sudafed is very effective at clearing up my nose, but it also keeps me awake at night. In the past, I've used antihistamines before I go to bed to stop them from occurring, and that seems to be a pretty effective way to keep allergies at bay. However, there were two problems with the antihistamine tablets: One, I don't want to be taking them everyday. Two, they aren't really effective at reducing my most prominent symptom which is a stuffy nose. My big question about Patanase is whether or not it is a good short-term solution for clearing a stuffy nose in the middle of the night. According to the drug company's website, a stuffy nose and sinus pressure are among the symptoms that Patanase does address. I have no doubt that Patanase is very effective at treating the seasonal allergies most people suffer, but how will it do with my chronic problem with night time nasal congestion? I will be making a trip to the doctor this week to ask for a Patanase Prescription and find out. I will use Patanase for a couple of weeks before I present you with my verdict on how well it works. Please check back soon. Meanwhile, those of you who have used or are using Patanase, please leave us some feedback in the comment section.
Before Leaving your feedback, please rate Patanase below:
Patanase User Ratings
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Sinus Sufferers: Update
I've located some great deals on Alkalol
Not only that, I now noticed that the makers of Alkalol even sell their own sinus rinse kit.
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 Alkalol Liquid - 16 Oz  US $4.89
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 Alkalol Liquid - 16 Oz : 6 bottles US $28.80
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 Alkalol 16 oz Soothing topical mucus solvent cleaner US $7.99
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 Alkalol Topical Mucous & Solvent Cleaner Liquid - 16 Oz US $4.25
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 Alkalol Soothing Topical Mucous Solvent Cleaner 16oz US $3.75
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 Alkalol Mucus Solvent and Cleaner UPC # 18960) US $4.89
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Tagged with: allergy prescription • nasal spray antahistamine • nasonex • patanase
Filed under: Health & Fitness
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i went to doctor thinking I was really sick with a cold. He prescribed me patanase. I thought he was crazy but the nose spray is wonderful. It makes me very sleepy and I feel the rush of the medicine working right away. Its wonderful. I will give this an A+.
Wow, Kelly. You say the Patanase Nasal Spray makes you sleepy. This would be bad news for people who need to clear their nasal passages up during the day while they are at work or driving their car or some other form of dangerous machinery. As for me, Patanase Nasal Spray sounds perfect. My nose is only stuffed up at night and I often have trouble sleeping. LOL. I think I need to go see my doctor about a Patanase Prescription. Thanks for your feedback, Kelly.
I just used Patanase for the first time yesterday and I was overjoyed at how well it cleared up my sinuses. I suffer from sometimes severe sinus pressure and headaches due to allergies and this is the first product that has made a noticable difference. I’ve been reluctantly using flonase for years. it seemed like flonase was the only choice i had from what all the doctors told me. I was also prescribed Astepro (another antihistamine nasal spray) which i don’t think had much effect on my symptoms. I just gave myself another dose of Patanase today because I felt that headache coming on this morning. I hope this continues to work without any serious side effects. I was expecting to feel drousy, because the label listed drousiness as a side effect, but i actually felt more energetic (probably because my headache went away)
Wow, Celia! Thanks, this is exactly the type of information I was looking for. Your sinus severe sinus pressure sounds so similar to what I experience. I was a chronic Flonase user too, and I didn’t like using a drug so regularly for so long, so as my article mentioned, I finally stopped taking it. It sounds as though you can take Patanase as needed and it gives you instant relief.
Those allergy-related sinus headaches are just so irritating and sometimes nothing I do works, including the aleve and sudafed combo. I have been holding off because I dread doctors visits. You’ve just talked me into making an appointment for Patanase.
4 months later and I finally went to see my doctor about Patanase. I am clogged up in the head and haven’t had a decent night sleep in 3 days. To my surprise, my doctor never heard of Patanase. She wrongfully told me it was simply another steroidal nasal spray. When I insisted that the Flonase was doing me no good, she blindly called in a prescription for the Patanase. When I went to the Pharmacist I learned my insurance carrier wouldn’t pay for it. They wanted $140.00!… When I got home I remembered, I had just switched to a new insurance plan with my wife’s company, Kaiser.. They will pay for over half of it, but it will still cost me $62.00 for the little bottle of Patanase. I will go back this evening and fork over the $62.00 because it’s worth it if it helps me sleep. I’ll report back later.
24 hours after taking Patanase the first time and here are the results:
The next morning (8 hours later), the painful pressure behind my right eye was completely gone.
My nasal passages were clear while I slept. There was some slight stuffiness in my right side, but much better than the night before.
All throughout the following day, my head felt lighter and easier to carry around.
The Patanase did seem to give me a feeling as though my sinus passages had this extra breathing cavity that I didn’t even know existed before. My pulse returned back to normal after the severe sinus pressure that had raised it previously. I felt more relaxed as if I was finally getting the oxygen I need and deserve.
The described side effect of bitterness of taste was only temporary (from the medicine draining back from my nose into my throat and it was not even noticeable while I slept.
I noticed no other side effects. I am anxious to see how things go after a couple of nights using the Patanase. Perhaps, my right nasal passage will continue to improve when I sleep on the right side. I’ll report back later. So far, the results using Patanase for just 24 hours are very encouraging.
At $60 a pop (And that’s after insurance), I probably won’t be renewing my Patanase prescription. Does it help my allergies? Some, but it still doesn’t completely clear the right side of my nose. I’m probably one of those candidates for a deviated septum procedure. The Patanase, just like the flonase did, keeps things cleared up enough to help me sleep, but it’s not the perfect cure. My doctor recommended a couple of other types of anthistimine sprays that are more affordable through insurance carriers: Astelin and Asterpro. I may give one of those a try.
As for side effects, other than the bitter after-taste which goes away after a while, the Patanase didn’t bother me. Nor, did it cause the sleepiness that some people complained about, but maybe that’s because I was taking it at night. Come to think of it, I have been sleeping pretty good.