• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is azelastine nasal?
Azelastine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the chemical histamine in your body. Azelastine prevents sneezing, itching, runny nose, and other nasal symptoms of allergies. Azelastine nasal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of azelastine nasal?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using azelastine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• bronchospasm (shortness of breath, tightness in chest, wheezing); or

• fast or uneven heartbeats.

Less serious side effects may include:

• a bitter taste in your mouth;

• headache;

• drowsiness or dizziness;

• dry mouth, sore throat;

• burning in your nose;

• weight gain;

• nausea;

• nosebleed;

• cough, sneezing, runny nose, cold symptoms; or

• eye redness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I use azelastine nasal?
Use azelastine exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. To use the azelastine nasal spray: Gently blow your nose before using the nasal spray. The first time you use a new bottle, screw the pump device onto the bottle. Prime the unit by pumping 4 sprays into the air, away from your face, until a fine mist appears. Prime the spray pump any time it has been longer than 3 days since you last used it.

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What is the most important information I should know about azelastine nasal?
Azelastine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by azelastine. Cold or other allergy medicines, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by azelastine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect azelastine nasal?
Before using azelastine nasal, tell your doctor if you are using cimetidine (Tagamet). There may be other drugs that can interact with azelastine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Azelastine has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Studies in mice at 280 times the maximal recommended human intranasal dose on a mg/m2 basis have revealed evidence of embryotoxicity, fetotoxicity and teratogenicity. Delayed ossification and fetotoxicity were exhibited in rats at 240 and 550 times the maximal recommended human intranasal dose on a mg/m2 basis, respectively. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Azelastine nasal is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

There are no data on the excretion of azelastine into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering azelastine nasal to nursing women.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to azelastine or any ingredient in the formulation.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include extreme sleepiness.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using azelastine nasal?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to azelastine. Before using azelastine nasal, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or if you take other prescription or over-the-counter medications. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether azelastine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use azelastine nasal without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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