What should patients avoid doing for 15 minutes after administering intranasal steroids?

After administering intranasal steroids, patients should avoid sneezing for about 15 minutes. This is important because sneezing can expel the medication from the nasal passages before it has been fully absorbed. Intranasal steroids are typically designed to reduce inflammation and provide relief from symptoms by acting locally in the nasal mucosa. If a patient sneezes soon after administration, it may result in less effective delivery of the medication, ultimately reducing its therapeutic benefits.

In contrast, activities like eating, drinking, or exercising do not directly interfere with the absorption of the medication in the same way sneezing does. While it’s generally advisable to avoid any activities that could disrupt the nasal mucosa shortly after using intranasal steroids, sneezing poses a more immediate risk of expelling the medication from the nasal cavity. Therefore, it is critical for patients to remain aware of sneezing during the initial period following the administration of intranasal steroids to ensure the medication can work effectively.