Astelin

Astelin is a prescription medication used to treat allergy symptoms of the nose such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and itching. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called antihistamines. It works by preventing histamine release and by blocking histamine at receptors. Histamine is a chemical of the immune system that causes allergy symptoms.

Astelin comes in nasal spray form to be sprayed into your nose, usually twice a day.

Common side effects of Astelin include unusual bitter taste and nose burning. Astelin can also cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not operate machinery or drive until you know Astelin will affect you. 

Astelin is a prescription medication used to treat allergy symptoms of the nose such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and itching.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Use Astelin exactly as prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription bottle carefully.

Seasonal nasal allergies:

• The recommended Astelin (azelastine) nasal spray dose in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older: 1 or 2 sprays per nostril twice daily 
• The recommended Astelin (azelastine) nasal spray dose in pediatric patients 5 to 11 years of age: 1 spray per nostril twice daily

Vasomotor rhinitis (Nasal symptoms not due by allergies):

• The recommended Astelin (azelastine) nasal spray dose in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older: 2 sprays per nostril twice daily

Do not use Astelin if you are allergic to any ingredient in it. 

Astelin can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

Alcohol can worsen drowsiness. Avoid alcohol use with Astelin nasal spray.

Side effects of Astelin nasal spray include:

• unusual taste (bitter or sweet)
• nose pain or discomfort
• nosebleeds
• headache
• fatigue
• sleepiness
• sneezing

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that is bothersome or that does not go away. 

This is not a complete list of Astelin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take medicines that make you drowsy including:

• medicines for anxiety
• antidepressants
• muscle relaxant medicines
• medicines for pain (narcotics)
• sleep medicines
• allergy medicines
• alcohol
• antipsychotic medicines

This is not a complete list of Astelin drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Astelin is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

Azelastine eye drops:

• Azelastine eye drops should not be used to treat contact lens related irritation.
• If you wear soft contact lenses and if your eyes are not red, wait at least 10 minutes after using azelastine eye drops before re-inserting your contact lenses.

Azelastine nasal spray:

• Blow your nose first. Then while spraying the medicine, gently breathe in (inhale). To avoid experiencing a bitter taste after taking azelastine, avoid tilting your head back right after taking azelastine.

Azelastine can cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Alcohol can worsen drowsiness. Avoid alcohol use with azelastine nasal spray.