Flunisolide (EENT)

Class: Corticosteroids
ATC Class: R01AD
VA Class: RE101
Chemical Name: 6α,11β,16α)-6-fluoro-11,21-dihydroxy-16,17-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(oxy)]-pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione hemihydrate
Molecular Formula: C₂₄H₃₁FO₆•½H₂O
CAS Number: 77326-96-6

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Mar 22, 2022. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Synthetic fluorinated corticosteroid.

Uses for Flunisolide (EENT)

Seasonal and Perennial Rhinitis

Symptomatic treatment of seasonal or perennial rhinitis when conventional therapy with antihistamines or decongestants is ineffective or produces intolerable adverse effects.

Generally provides symptomatic relief of watery rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, and pharyngeal itching; generally does not relieve symptoms of conjunctivitis or those involving the lower respiratory tract

Appears to provide greater symptomatic relief in allergic rhinitis than in nonallergic rhinitis

Serious Otitis Media

Has been used intranasally for the treatment of serous otitis media† (eustachian tube dysfunction, middle ear effusion) in children.

Corticosteroid-dependent Asthma

Although orally inhaled flunisolide is used for the treatment of asthma, the nasal solution is not recommended for this purpose, since the safety of polyethylene glycol in the vehicle of the nasal solution has not been established for this route of administration.

Flunisolide (EENT) Dosage and Administration

Administration

Intranasal Administration

Administer by nasal inhalation using a special nasal inhaler.

Avoid contact with the eyes.

Poor clinical response can result from improper drug administration techniques, poor drug penetration (secondary to marked nasal congestion, presence of nasal polyps, or symptoms originating in the nasal sinuses), or localized infections of the nasal mucosa.

Clear nasal passages prior to adminis...