Astelin
Generic Name: azelastine nasal (a ZEL uh steen)
Brand Names: Astelin
What is Astelin?
Azelastine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the chemical histamine in your body.
Astelin prevents sneezing, itching, runny nose, and other nasal symptoms of allergies.
Astelin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Astelin?
Astelin 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 Astelin. 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 Astelin. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Astelin?
You should not use Astelin if you are allergic to azelastine. Before using Astelin, 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. Astelin 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 Astelin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Astelin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Astelin should not be given to a child younger than 5 years old.How should I use Astelin?
Use Astelin 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 Astelin nasal spray:
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Gently blow your nose before using the nasal spray.
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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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Insert the spray tip into your nostril, pointing it straight up into your nose. Press your other nostril closed with your finger and keep your head upright. Pump the spray and gently inhale at the same time.
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Use only the number of sprays prescribed by your doctor.
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Clean the pump nozzle with a clean, damp tissue and recap it.
Try not to sneeze or blow your nose just after using the spray.
Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. Astelin is usually used for up to 4 weeks.
Store Astelin at room temperature in an upright position, away from moisture and heat. Keep the dust cover on the spray nozzle when not in use.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.
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.
What should I avoid while taking Astelin?
Astelin 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 Astelin. 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 Astelin. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.Astelin side effects
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 Astelin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:-
bronchospasm (shortness of breath, tightness in chest, wheezing); or
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fast or uneven heartbeats.
Less serious side effects may include:
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a bitter taste in your mouth;
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headache;
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drowsiness or dizziness;
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dry mouth, sore throat;
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burning in your nose;
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weight gain;
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nausea;
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nosebleed;
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cough, sneezing, runny nose, cold symptoms; or
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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.
What other drugs will affect Astelin?
Before using Astelin, tell your doctor if you are using cimetidine (Tagamet).
There may be other drugs that can interact with Astelin. 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.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about Astelin.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Astelin only for the indication prescribed
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
- Click here for more information on Astelin from the manufacturer.
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More Astelin resources:
Astelin Nasal - Includes detailed dosage instructions.
