Astepro Allergy (azelastine) is an antihistamine nasal spray that's used to treat nasal symptoms due to allergies, such as stuffy nose, sneezing, and runny nose. Astepro Allergy (azelastine) is available over-the-counter (OTC) for adults and children 6 years and older. The strength of Astepro Allergy (azelastine) is 0.15%. The dosage depends on your age, but it's usually sprayed into the nose once or twice a day. Side effects can include a bitter taste in the mouth, nasal discomfort, and sneezing.
Note: Azelastine nasal spray is also available by prescription in 0.1% and 0.15% strengths.
Short-term relief of nasal symptoms due to allergies:
Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy nose
Astepro Allergy (azelastine) is an antihistamine. It works in your nose to block histamine, a natural chemical in your body that causes runny nose, itching, and sneezing. By blocking histamine, Astepro Allergy (azelastine) helps relieve allergy nasal symptoms.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Bitter taste in mouth
headaches
temporary eye burning or stinging
Less common
Burning, dry or itching eyes
blurred vision, temporary
chills
eye discharge or excessive tearing
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hoarseness or other voice changes
itching skin
joint pain
loss of appetite
muscle aches and pains
redness, pain, swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid
shivering
sweating
tender, swollen glands in neck
trouble in swallowing
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Available over the counter; doesn't require a prescription
Sprayed directly in the nose
Can work within 15 to 30 minutes to relieve allergy symptoms
Not approved for children younger than 6 years old
Can cause drowsiness
Might leave a bitter taste in your mouth
Only spray Astepro Allergy (azelastine) in your nose. Don't spray the medication into your eyes or mouth because this can be harmful.
Be sure to ask your primary care provider or pharmacist before you use Astepro Allergy (azelastine) if you've recently had nose ulcers, a nose injury that's not fully healed yet, or nose surgery. This medication might not be appropriate for you to use.
Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that make you feel sleepy while you're using Astepro Allergy (azelastine). This combination can worsen sleepiness and could lead to falls or other dangerous accidents.
Don't drive until you know how Astepro Allergy (azelastine) affects you. This medication can sometimes make people sleepy and affect the ability to think clearly.
Never share your bottle of Astepro Allergy (azelastine) with anyone else because this could lead to infections.
Ask your primary care provider about whether it's safe for you to use Astepro Allergy (azelastine) if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. There isn't enough information to know whether this medication is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Your primary care provider can discuss the risks and benefits of using Astepro Allergy (azelastine) with you.
Get medical help or call a poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away if you accidentally use too much Astepro Allergy (azelastine) or if a child accidentally swallows the medication.
Tips on how to use Astepro Allergy (azelastine):
Carefully review the instructions on your package so you know how to use Astepro Allergy (azelastine) properly.
Before you use a bottle of Astepro Allergy (azelastine) for the first time, you'll need to prime the bottle. Pump the spray bottle away from your face until a fine mist comes out. Priming the bottle makes sure you get a full dose of the medication when you need to spray it into your nose. Your spray bottle might be clogged if you don't see a fine mist after 6 sprays.
When you're ready to use Astepro Allergy (azelastine), blow your nose and tilt your head forward. Then, close one nostril and insert the tip of the spray bottle in the other. As you spray the medication into your nostril, breathe in lightly through your nose. Follow the recommended number of sprays per nostril on the product's directions for use.
Wait a few minutes after you use Astepro Allergy (azelastine) to tilt your head back or to blow your nose. This makes sure the medication stays in your nose instead of going into your throat and causing a bitter taste or getting onto your tissue.
After you use Astepro Allergy (azelastine), wipe the spray tip with a clean tissue and put the cap on the bottle.
If your Astepro Allergy (azelastine) bottle gets clogged, unscrew the spray pump by turning it left. Then, soak the spray pump in warm water. Pump several times while it's under the water to clear it. Let the spray pump air dry before you screw it back on. Never try to unclog the nozzle with a sharp object because that could damage it.
When you haven't used Astepro Allergy (azelastine) for 3 or more days or if you need to unclog the nozzle, prime the bottle before you use it again.
Astepro Allergy (azelastine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Drinking alcohol while using Astepro Allergy (azelastine) | Taking other medications that make you less alert
Astepro Allergy (azelastine) can sometimes make you feel sleepy, which might lower your ability to focus, think, and react quickly. Be careful and avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you. Avoid drinking alcohol or medications that can make you feel sleepy while you're taking Astepro Allergy (azelastine).
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
23ml of 205.5mcg/spray | 1 nasal spray | $32.41 | $32.41 |
Adults and children 12 years and older: The typical dose is 2 sprays in each nostril once daily, OR 1 to 2 sprays in each nostril every 12 hours. Don't use more than 4 sprays in each nostril in a 24-hour period.
Children 6 to 11 years old: The typical dose is 1 spray in each nostril every 12 hours. Don't use more than 2 sprays in each nostril in a 24-hour period.
Children younger than 6 years old: Don't use. Ask your child's pediatrician for other options.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Short-term relief of nasal symptoms due to allergies:
Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy nose
Congestion
Runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy nose
Itchy, watery eyes
Seasonal allergy symptoms related to the nose
Year-round allergy symptoms related to the nose - azelastine 0.15% spray only
Runny or stuffy nose that isn't caused by allergies - azelastine 0.1% spray only
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Bayer HealthCare LLC. (2021). AstePro Allergy [package insert]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Bayer HealthCare LLC. (2023). Astepro Allergy- azelastine hcl spray, metered [package insert]. DailyMed.
Horbal, J. M., et al. (2010). Azelastine HCl: A review of the old and new formulations. Clinical Medicine Insights.
Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (2021). Azelastine HCl Nasal- azelastine hcl spray [package insert]. DailyMed.
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