Azelastine, Intranasal

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antihistamine

Generic and brand names: azelastine, intranasal; Astelin Nasal Spray

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antihistamine that is sprayed into the nose. It is used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergy (runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy nose). It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Do not use the spray more often than directed by your healthcare provider. To get the best results, follow the instructions that come in the medicine package.

This product comes with 2 bottles of medicine with child-resistant caps and a pump unit. Remove the child-resistant cap and put the pump on one bottle. Leave the child-resistant cap on the second bottle until you are ready to use it.

Prime the spray pump before using it for the first time or when the spray is not used for 3 days or more. To prime the pump, press down 4 times or until a fine mist comes out.

Wash your hands before using this medicine. Before using this medicine, clear your nasal passages by gently blowing your nose. To use the nasal spray, keep your head upright and sniff in the spray while you squeeze the bottle. Do this in both nostrils. Spray both nostrils again if directed.

Wipe the tip of the applicator with a clean tissue and replace the cap tightly after each use. To avoid spreading infection, do not allow others to use your medicine. Use the nose spray exactly as directed.

Keep the spray away from your eyes. If you do get some into your eyes, rinse them with cool water.

This medicine is good for 3 months after it has been opened. Discard any unused medicine after 3 months.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Any severe drowsiness or slowing of your reflexes, fast heartbeat, confusion, depression.

Other: Bitter taste, headache, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, irritated nose or throat, drowsiness, constipation, trouble sleeping, flushing.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• blood pressure medicines such as clonidine (Catapres) and methyldopa (Aldomet)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• herbal remedies such as St. John's wort, valerian, kava, gotu kola, capsicum, Siberian ginseng, German chamomile, goldenseal, melatonin, and SAMe
• muscle relaxants such as tizanidine (Zanaflex), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma), methocarbamol (Robaxin), dantrolene (Dantrium), and baclofen (Lioresal)
• narcotic analgesics (painkillers) such as codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvocet N-100, Darvon), meperidine (Demerol), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq)
• sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), zolpidem (Ambien), triazolam (Halcion), butabarbital (Butisol), ), flurazepam (Dalmane), temazepam (Restoril), and zaleplon (Sonata)
• tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), meprobamate, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), and doxepin (Sinequan)

Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store the medicine at room temperature away from any heat. Keep the bottle standing upright with the pump tightly closed.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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Published by RelayHealth.
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