Due to this, the manufacturer has produced another formulation of azelastine with sucralose. The most common side effect is a bitter taste (about 20% of people). More recent studies have shown similar degrees of somnolence (approx. US prescribing recommendations warn against the concurrent use of alcohol and/or other central nervous system depressants, but to date there have been no studies to assess the effects of azelastine nasal spray on the CNS in humans.

Bitter taste, headache, nasal burning and somnolence are the most frequently reported adverse events. Side effects Īzelastine is safe and well tolerated in both adults and children with allergic rhinitis. Azelastine eye drops are indicated for the local treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis. In some countries, it is also indicated for the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis in adults and children ≥ 12 years old. Īzelastine nasal spray is indicated for the local treatment of the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis, such as rhinorrhea, sneezing and nasal pruritus in people five years of age and older. In 2020, it was the 173rd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. Īzelastine was patented in 1971 and came into medical use in 1986.

It is a second-generation antihistamine and works by blocking the release of a number of inflammatory mediators including histamine. It is unclear if use is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ĭommon side effects include headache, sleepiness, change in taste, and sore throat. Onset of effects is within minutes when used in the eyes and within an hour when used in the nose. Other uses may include asthma and skin rashes for which it is taken by mouth. Azelastine, sold under the brand name Optivar among others, is a medication primarily used as a nasal spray to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and as eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis.

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