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Patients should consult their physicians or pharmacists before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications. The drugs used in nasal sprays can potentially interact with various drugs, depending on which formula is used.

Symptoms of overdose can be similar to the medication’s side effects, but are usually more severe. Patients exhibiting any of these symptoms should contact their physicians immediately:

• Change in menstruation
• Excessive hair growth in females
• Rounding of the face, neck and upper body

Many drugs delivered in nasal sprays could potentially be passed from a mother to her fetus or nursing child. However, cromolyn sodium is known to be safe for these population groups.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult a physician before using over-the-counter or prescription nasal spray medications.

Nasal sprays are generally considered safe for children 6 years old and older. Parents should consult a physician to make sure dosages are appropriate for a child’s age and weight. Children over age 12 generally will take adult dosages of nasal spray medications. However, children should not be given prescription or over-the-counter nasal sprays without first consulting a physician.