Rino-lastin (other name Astelin)

Common use

Astelin is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose. Astelin nasal spray is used to treat sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itching, and other nasal symptoms of allergies, in adults and children who are at least 5 years old. Astelin is also used to treat ongoing nasal symptoms (runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itching) that are not caused by allergies, in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.

Dosage and direction

Use Astelin nasal spray exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Blow your nose to clear your nostrils. Keep your head tilted downward toward your toes. Place the spray tip into 1 nostril. Hold bottle upright and aim the spray tip toward the back of your nose. Close your other nostril with a finger. Press the pump 1 time and sniff gently at the same time, keeping your head tilted forward and down. Repeat in your other nostril. If your healthcare provider tells you to use 2 sprays in each nostril, repeat Steps 2 through 4 above for the second spray in each nostril. When you finish using your Astelin Nasal Spray, wipe the spray tip with a clean tissue or cloth. Put the safety clip and dust cover back on the bottle.

Precautions

Before using Astelin tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Using Astelin while you are breast-feeding may cause your breast milk to taste bitter. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby.

Contraindications

Astelin may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Before using Astelin, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by azelastine.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of azelastine. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Astelin.
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have fast or uneven heartbeats, tightness in your chest, or if you feel short of breath.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Astelin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Common Astelin side effects may include: bitter taste in your mouth; drowsiness, tiredness; headache, dizziness; sneezing, nasal irritation, nosebleeds; nausea, dry mouth; or weight gain.

Drug interaction

Using Astelin with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Missed dose

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Overdose

An overdose of azelastine nasal is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store this medicine in an upright position at room temperature. Do not freeze. Throw away the medicine after you have used 200 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.