WebSite Alabama: Astelin Ready-Spray

Generic Name: azelastine (Nasal route)

a-ZEL-as-teen

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Astelin

Astelin Ready-Spray

Astepro

Available Dosage Forms:

Spray

Therapeutic Class: Nasal Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Antihistamine

Uses For Astelin Ready-Spray

Azelastine nasal spray is used to help relieve symptoms (e.g., stuffy or runny nose, itching, sneezing) of seasonal (short-term) or perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and vasomotor rhinitis.

This medicine works by preventing certain cells to release substances that cause the allergic reaction.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Astelin Ready-Spray

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of azelastine in children below 12 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of azelastine have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution in patients receiving azelastine.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Cimetidine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper Use of azelastine

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain azelastine. It may not be specific to Astelin Ready-Spray. Please read with care.

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine usually comes with patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your mouth. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

Before using this medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.

To prepare this medicine:

Before you use a new bottle of azelastine spray, the spray pump will need to be primed (started). If your pharmacist assembled the unit for you, check to see if it has already been primed by pumping the unit once. If a full spray comes out, the unit has already been primed; if not you must prime the pump.

To prime a new bottle, hold the bottle upright and away from you, then pump it six times or until you see a fine spray.

If you have not used the spray for 3 or more days, pump it two times or until you see a fine spray.

To keep the applicator clean, wipe the nosepiece with a clean tissue and replace the dust cap after each use.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For nasal dosage form (spray):
- For symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis:
  - Adults, teenagers, and children 12 years of age and older—1 or 2 sprays in each nostril two times a day, or 2 sprays in each nostril once a day.
  - Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis:
  - Adults, teenagers, and children 12 years of age and older—2 sprays in each nostril two times a day.
  - Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For treatment of vasomotor rhinitis:
  - Adults and teenagers—Use 2 sprays in each nostril two times a day.
  - Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the bottle upright with the pump tightly closed.

Precautions While Using Astelin Ready-Spray

Your doctor should check you or your child at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that makes you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Even if used at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

Keep the spray away from the eyes because this medicine may cause irritation or blurred vision. Closing your eyes while you are using this medicine may help keep it out of your eyes.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Astelin Ready-Spray Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Blood in the urine

cough

eye pain, eye redness, blurred vision or other change in vision

rapid heartbeat

shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, troubled breathing, or wheezing

skin rash, hives, or itching

sores in the mouth or on the lips

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Bitter taste in the mouth

drowsiness or sleepiness

Less common

Bloody mucus or unexplained nosebleeds

burning inside the nose

dizziness

dryness of the mouth

headache

muscle aches or pain

nausea

sore throat

sudden outbursts of sneezing

unusual tiredness or weakness

weight gain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Astelin Ready-Spray side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

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Friday, October 21, 2016

Astelin Ready-Spray