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.

• Meda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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.

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.

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Astelin there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Astelin.

Before receiving Astelin, tell your doctor:

• about all of your medical conditions
• if you are allergic to any ingredient in Astelin.
• if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

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.

• Astelin nasal spray is to be sprayed into your nose, usually twice a day. Do not spray it into your eyes or mouth.
  • The Astelin bottle will need to be primed before you use it for the first time. You should see a fine mist after you do six priming sprays. This will indicate it is ready for use. (You will need to prime Astelin nasal spray if you have not used the spray for 3 or more days.)
  • Blow your nose first. Then while spraying the medicine, gently breathe in (inhale). To avoid experiencing a bitter taste after taking Astelin, avoid tilting your head back right after taking Astelin.
  • After using 200 sprays, throw away the bottle.

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

If you use too much Astelin call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store Astelin nasal spray at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F).
• Do not use Astelin nasal spray after the expiration date "EXP" on the medicine label and box. 
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.