Azelastine

2 medicines

Azelastine is an antihistamine nasal spray and eye drop for allergies that can cause drowsiness, so caution is needed with driving and alcohol.

Astelin

Azelastine

10ml

Astelin is a allergies medication containing Azelastine, available as 10ml sprays.

from $27.54 / spray View

Dymista

Fluticasone, Azelastine

50/140mcg

Dymista is a allergies medication containing Fluticasone + Azelastine, available as 50/140mcg sprays.

from $24.86 / spray View

Key facts

  • Azelastine (nasal sprays and eye drops, and combined with fluticasone in Dymista) is an antihistamine that relieves sneezing, itching, congestion and watery eyes caused by allergies.
  • The nasal spray is used once or twice daily in each nostril; the eye drops are used twice daily. Relief usually starts within 15 to 30 minutes.
  • It can cause drowsiness even though it is applied locally. Avoid alcohol and take care with driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
  • Seek urgent care for facial or throat swelling, wheeze, or hives after use, which suggest an allergic reaction.

What azelastine treats

Azelastine treats allergic rhinitis, both seasonal hay fever and year-round allergies, easing sneezing, nasal congestion, itching and post-nasal drip. The eye-drop form treats allergic conjunctivitis, the itchy, watery eyes that come with allergies. It does not treat infections or a common cold.

How azelastine works

Azelastine blocks H1 histamine receptors in the lining of the nose or eye. This prevents histamine, released during an allergic reaction, from causing the swelling, itching and excess mucus or tears that produce typical allergy symptoms, and it also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect on the nasal tissue.

Before you take it

  • Tell your prescriber if you take other sedating medicines or drink alcohol regularly, since the combination increases drowsiness.
  • Use with caution if you have asthma, as nasal irritation from the spray can occasionally affect sensitive airways.
  • Older adults are more likely to feel sedation strongly and should start with the lowest effective dose.
  • Check whether your product also contains a steroid such as fluticasone, which carries its own precautions.

Side effects

Common effects include a bitter taste in the mouth, mild drowsiness, headache, nasal dryness or irritation, and occasional nosebleeds.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Swelling of the face or throat, wheeze, or difficulty breathing.
  • Hives or a widespread rash.
  • Severe dizziness or loss of balance.

Safety essentials

  • Drowsiness is the defining risk: do not drive or operate machinery until you know how azelastine affects you, and avoid alcohol or other sedating medicines while using it.
  • Tilt your head slightly forward, not backward, when spraying to reduce the bitter taste running down your throat.
  • If you use both the nasal spray and eye drops, or combine azelastine with other allergy or sleep medicines, ask a pharmacist about added sedation.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.