azelastine allergy
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.
What is Astepro Allergy (azelastine)?
What is Astepro Allergy (azelastine) used for?
Short-term relief of nasal symptoms due to allergies:
- Stuffy nose
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
How Astepro Allergy (azelastine) works
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.
Drug facts
Side effects of Astepro Allergy (azelastine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Bitter taste (up to 6%)
- Nasal discomfort (up to 4%)
- Nosebleed (up to 2%)
- Sneezing (up to 2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness
Astepro Allergy (azelastine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: skin rash
- Severe or frequent nosebleeds
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The following Astepro Allergy (azelastine) side effects have also been reported
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.
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Pros and cons of Astepro Allergy (azelastine)
Pros
- 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
Cons
- Not approved for children younger than 6 years old
- Can cause drowsiness
- Might leave a bitter taste in your mouth
Pharmacist tips for Astepro Allergy (azelastine)
- 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.
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Common questions about Astepro
No, Astepro isn't a steroid. It's an antihistamine nasal spray. Both steroid and antihistamine nasal sprays can help relieve nasal allergy symptoms, but they work differently in the nose.
Astepro comes in different sizes that contain a different number of sprays: 22, 60, or 120 sprays. Check the packaging to find out how many sprays your Astepro bottle has. Ask a pharmacist if you're not sure how many sprays are in the Astepro product you have.
No, Astepro isn't known to raise blood pressure. Talk to a primary care provider if you happen to notice that your blood pressure is higher than usual. Your primary care provider can check whether there's something else going on.
It's possible for Astepro to make you feel drowsy. Avoid alcohol or medications that make you sleepy while you're taking Astepro because they can worsen this side effect. Don't drive or perform activities that require you to be alert until you know how Astepro affects you.
No. Although Astepro and fluticasone (Flonase) are both nasal sprays that help relieve allergy symptoms, they're two different medications. Fluticasone (Flonase) is a steroid medication, and Astepro is an antihistamine. They work differently to improve your nasal allergy symptoms. Talk to a healthcare professional about which medication is best for you.
Both Astepro and triamcinolone (Nasacort) are over-the-counter nasal sprays that can relieve nasal allergy symptoms. One difference is that Astepro is an antihistamine and triamcinolone (Nasacort) is a steroid. They work differently to treat allergy symptoms. In addition, Astepro might work faster than triamcinolone (Nasacort). Another difference is that children ages 6 years and older can use Astepro whereas children as young as 2 years old can use triamcinolone (Nasacort). Unlike with Astepro, there's a risk for slowed growth if young children use triamcinolone (Nasacort) for more than 2 months per year. Ask a healthcare professional to help you compare between the two medications.
Some side effects, like bitter taste, nasal discomfort and sneezing, might only last a short while right after you spray Astepro into your nose. Other possible side effects, like feeling sleepy or headaches, might last a little longer. In some cases, certain side effects might last until you stop taking the medication. Let your primary care provider know about any bothersome side effects so they can help you manage your side effects.
There isn't a set amount of time that you should take Astepro. You can use Astepro as directed on the packaging for your nasal allergy symptoms as long as it's working well and not causing side effects for you. Talk to your primary care provider about how long you should take Astepro.
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Risks and warnings for Astepro Allergy (azelastine)
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.
Possible sleepiness and difficulty concentrating
- 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).
Astepro Allergy (azelastine) dosage
Nasal spray| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23ml of 205.5mcg/spray | 1 nasal spray | $17.54 | $17.54 |
Typical dosage for Astepro Allergy (azelastine)
- 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.
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Interactions between Astepro Allergy (azelastine) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
How much does Astepro Allergy (azelastine) cost?
What are alternatives to Astepro Allergy (azelastine)?
Short-term relief of nasal symptoms due to allergies:
