Two medicines, side by side
Fluticasone vs prednisone
Fluticasone and prednisone are both labeled for allergies, asthma and eczema (atopic dermatitis). Drugs@FDA records approvals of fluticasone since 1990 and of prednisone since 1955. Pharmacies paid $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) and $0.0643 per prednisone 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the fluticasone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 19, 2024); the prednisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 22, 2025).
Highlights of the fluticasone record
Fluticasone (Flonase) · label of December 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves these symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: • nasal congestion • itchy nose • runny nose • itchy, watery eyes • sneezing
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 14, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 71 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.243 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the prednisone record
Prednisone (Meticorten) · label of April 22, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrednisone tablets and solutions are indicated in the following conditions: 1. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 21, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0643 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Fluticasone label of December 19, 2024, Prednisone label of April 22, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do fluticasone and prednisone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: fluticasone since 2004; prednisone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Fluticasone | Prednisone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Allergies, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia, Organ transplant rejection |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 14, 1990 | February 21, 1955 |
| First generic approved | May 14, 2004 | December 23, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 71 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.243 per gram (Fluticasone prop 0.05% cream) | $0.0643 per tablet (Prednisone 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -0.1% | -15% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 139,949 | 499,950 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Fluticasone label, warnings and precautionsPatients who have been previously maintained on 20 mg or more of prednisone (or its equivalent) may be most susceptible, particularly when their systemic corticosteroids have been almost completely withdrawn.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to fluticasone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions