Generic name: azelastine nasal [ a-ZEL-uh-steen ]
Brand name: Astepro Allergy
Drug class: Nasal antihistamines and decongestants

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 15, 2023.

What is Astepro?

Astepro is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Astepro Nasal Spray prevents sneezing, itching, runny nose, and other nasal symptoms of allergies.

Astepro Nasal Spray is used for treating seasonal allergies in adults and children who are at least 2 years old, and for year-round allergies in adults and children as young as 6 months old.

Warnings

Astepro Nasal Spray may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Before using this medicine, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Astepro.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Astepro. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Astepro. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have fast or uneven heartbeats, tightness in your chest, or if you feel short of breath.

Before taking this medicine

Before using Astepro nasal spray tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Using Astepro while you are breastfeeding may cause your breast milk to taste bitter. If you breast-feed while using this medicine, watch for signs that your baby is not nursing as well. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby.

How should I use Astepro?

Use Astepro nasal spray exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Before your first use, squeeze the bottle 2 or more times away from your face, until a fine mist appears. Repeat this whenever the nasal spray hasn't been used for longer than 3 days.

To use the nasal spray:

• With your head upright insert the tip of the bottle into the nostril and press your other nostril closed. Breathe in and gently spray the medicine into your nose. Use in your other nostril if directed.

• If the spray gets in your eyes or mouth or on your skin, rinse with water.

• Do not blow your nose for a few minutes.

Do not allow a young child to use this medicine without help from an adult.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Store this medicine in an upright position at room temperature. Do not freeze.

Throw away the medicine after you have used 200 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

0.1% spray: 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril twice a day
0.15% spray: 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril twice a day or 2 sprays in each nostril once a day

Use: Seasonal allergic rhinitis

0.15% spray: 2 sprays in each nostril twice a day

Use: Perennial allergic rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

2 to 5 years:
0.1% spray: 1 spray in each nostril twice a day
6 to 11 years:
0.1% spray and 0.15% spray: 1 spray in each nostril twice a day

Use: Seasonal allergic rhinitis

6 months to 5 years:
0.1% spray: 1 spray in each nostril twice a day
6 to 11 years:
0.1% spray and 0.15% spray: 1 spray in each nostril twice a day

Use: Perennial allergic rhinitis

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Using too much Astepro nasal spray may cause drowsiness.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medicine. Swallowing Astepro could cause serious harm to a child.

What should I avoid while taking Astepro?

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Astepro side effects

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

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of an ear infection:

• ear pain or full feeling;

• drainage from the ear;

• trouble hearing; or

• fever.

Common Astepro side effects may include:

• drowsiness, tiredness;

• a bitter taste in your mouth;

• mouth or throat pain;

• nasal pain or discomfort, nosebleeds;

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat;

• fever, headache;

• vomiting; or

• skin itching around your nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Astepro?

Using Astepro with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with azelastine nasal, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Astepro only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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