Azelastine nasal spray, available over the counter and on prescription, is used to treat hay fever and other allergy-related rhinitis symptoms like sneezing, runny, stuffy, or itchy noses, as well as itchy, watery eyes (caused by an allergy to pollen, mold, dust, or pets). In addition, adults and children 12 years of age and older can use prescription azelastine nasal spray to treat nonallergic rhinitis symptoms including sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, which are not brought on by allergies. The drug azelastine belongs to the antihistamine drug class. It functions by preventing the body’s natural histamine from producing the symptoms of allergies.

Azelastine comes as a liquid to spray in the nose. Typically, azelastine nasal spray is applied to each nostril once or twice each day. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Use azelastine nasal spray precisely as indicated. Use it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

Children under the age of 12 should have adult assistance when using an azelastine nasal spray. Azelastine nasal spray sold without a prescription (over the counter) should not be used by children under the age of six.

Only the nose should be used for azelastine nasal spray. Avoid spraying the nasal spray into your eyes or mouth, and avoid swallowing it.

Azelastine nasal spray should only be used by one individual per bottle. Azelastine nasal spray shouldn’t be shared because it could transfer germs.

Although not curing hay fever or allergies, azelastine nasal spray manages their symptoms.

Azelastine nasal spray has a set number of sprays that it can deliver. It’s possible that the remaining sprays in the bottle don’t contain the right amount of medication after the designated number of them have been used. Even if the container still has some liquid in it, you should keep note of how many sprays you have used and discard the bottle once you have used the designated amount of sprays.

The printed instructions that come with the azelastine nasal spray should be read before you use it for the first time. Take these actions:

1. The nasal spray pump’s cap and safety clip should be removed.
2. The nasal spray pump needs to be primed before use the first time. The bottom of the bottle should sit on your thumb while you hold the pump, with the applicator lying between your forefinger and middle finger. Upright and away from your face, point the bottle. A fine mist will develop once the pump has been depressed and released four times. Repriming the pump with two sprays, or until a fine mist appears, is necessary if you haven’t used your nasal spray in more than three days.
3. Until your nostrils are clear, blow your nose.
4. With your head slightly cocked forward and one nostril closed, push the nasal tip of the bottle into the other nostril while maintaining the bottle’s upright position. Press down firmly on the nozzle with your fingers and middle finger to let out a spray. To prevent the medication from entering your throat, carefully inhale through your nostrils while tucking your chin forward. Repeat in the second nostril after that.
5. Repeat step 4 if your doctor instructed you to use two sprays, one in each nostril.
6. Replace the plastic bottle top and safety clip after cleaning the applicator with a fresh tissue.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using azelastine,

• If you have an allergy to azelastine, any other medications, or any of the chemicals in azelastine nasal spray, let your doctor and chemist know right once. Get an ingredient list from your chemist or look it up on the box label.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or plan to take, including antihistamines and other anti-cold and allergy treatments. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you recently had nose surgery, if your nose has been hurt in any way, or if it has sores.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using azelastine nasal spray.
• You need to be aware that azelastine nasal spray can cause drowsiness. Until you are certain of how this medication affects you, do not operate machinery or drive a car.
• Consult your doctor about whether drinking alcohol is safe to do while using azelastine nasal spray. The negative effects of azelastine can be exacerbated by alcohol.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

The missed dose should be taken as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects from azelastine nasal spray are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Bitter flavour
• Nasal irritation, pain, or burning
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Unwell throat
• Mouth ache
• Clogged nose
• Nosebleed
• Dizziness
• Abnormal feelings (tingling, prickling, burning, aching)
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Gain in weight
• Muscular ache
• Throat irritation

Azelastine nasal spray may produce other negative effects. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

If the spray tip is blocked, rinse it several times in warm water while it is submerged, and then dry it. To get the obstruction out, avoid using pins or other pointed things.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.