fluticasone vs hydrocortisone
Side-by-side comparison of fluticasone and hydrocortisone Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
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Fluticasone is a steroid medicine that helps reduce inflammation in your nose. It can help relieve allergy symptoms.
Hydrocortisone cream helps relieve itching and skin problems. It belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids.
Fluticasone temporarily relieves symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies. These symptoms include a stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, itchy nose, runny nose, and sneezing. It can help you breathe easier and feel more comfortable when you have allergies.
This medicine can help with itching, skin irritation, inflammation, and rashes. It can treat eczema, psoriasis, poison ivy, insect bites, and other irritations from soaps or jewelry. It can also relieve external anal and genital itching. Ask your doctor before using it for other conditions.
Fluticasone is a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages. This helps to relieve allergy symptoms.
Hydrocortisone reduces inflammation, itching, and redness. It works by reducing the activity of the immune system. This helps to relieve discomfort.
- • Headache
- • Fatigue
- • Rash
- • Itching
- Medicine not working 7,582
- Headache 6,061
- Tiredness 5,935
- Difficulty breathing 5,830
- Feeling sick to your stomach 5,209
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 11,314
- The medicine did not work 10,321
- Feeling tired 8,852
- Pain 7,126
- Condition got worse 6,709
Children 4 to 11 years of age: The growth rate of some children may be slower while using this product. Children should use it for the shortest time needed to relieve symptoms. Talk to your child’s doctor if they need to use the spray for longer than two months a year.
There are no boxed warnings for this medication.
It is not known if fluticasone will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if fluticasone passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine. It is not known if hydrocortisone can harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk.
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How to Read This fluticasone vs hydrocortisone Comparison
fluticasone is classified in the Corticosteroid drug class, while hydrocortisone sits within the Corticosteroid class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are available over the counter.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, fluticasone has 30,617 submissions while hydrocortisone has 44,322. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between fluticasone and hydrocortisone — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.