Anybody used Azelastine (Astelin) prescription nasal spray before?

[bellafromaustin]

Vasomotor rhinitis

I'd like to know if anybody has used Astelin prescription nasal spray before? I've heard a number of good things about it - but before I ask my doctor to give me a prescription - I'd like to hear what others have to say about the product. Does anybody have any information as to how it worked for them? Do you think Astelin is better than other products? Any words of advice?

[AllergyGuy]

Hello and welcome,

For those that don't know what Vasomotor Rhinitis is, here is the info I found on wiki

Vasomotor rhinitis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vasomotor rhinitis is a form of rhinitis that is not related to allergic reactions, but which is characterized by some of the same symptoms, such as a chronic sinus headache, runny nose and blood-vessel congestion of the nasal mucus membranes. Vasomotor rhinitis is to be distinguished from sinus infection or other forms of allergy.

Causes

Vasomotor rhinitis is also known as non-allergenic rhinitis, because it often has the same symptoms as allergies, but has different causes. Whereas allergenic rhinitis conditions (such as hayfever) are the result of the immune system overreacting to environmental irritants (pollen, etc), vasomotor rhinitis is believed to be caused by oversensitive or excessive blood vessels in the nasal membrane. These blood vessels (which are controlled in turn by the autonomic nervous system) contract or dilate in order to regulate mucus flow and congestion. But in the vasomotor rhinitis sufferer, oversensitive or excessive blood vessels causes an overreaction to such stimuli as changes in weather, temperature, or barometric pressure, chemical irritants such as smoke, ozone, pollution, perfumes, and aerosol sprays, psychological stress and emotional shocks, certain types of medications, alcohol, and even spicy food. Thus, while a normal person's nose may run on a very cold day, a vasomotor rhinitis sufferer's nose may start running (or go completely dry) simply by walking into a slightly colder (or slightly warmer) room, or from eating food that is slightly warmer or cooler than room temperature. While a normal person may tolerate a certain degree of cigarette smoke, the vasomotor rhinitis sufferer may experience significant discomfort from the same level of smoke, etc.
The pathology of vasomotor rhinitis is in fact not very well-understood and more research is needed. Vasomotor rhinitis appears to be significantly more common in women than men, leading some researchers to believe hormones to play a role. In general, age of onset occurs after 20 years of age, in contrast to allergic rhinitis which generally appears before age 20. Individuals suffering from vasomotor rhinitis typically experience symptoms year-round, though symptoms may exacerbate in the spring and fall when rapid weather changes are more common.
Many patients can be subject to vasomotor rhinitis and allergic rhinitis simultaneously. Vasomotor rhinitis is a common condition that often goes unrecognized/underrecognized, especially in women. An estimated 17 million Americans have vasomotor rhinitis.

Symptoms

Recurring nasal inflammation, nasal congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, swelling of the nasal membrane or profuse watery nasal discharge might signal vasomotor rhinitis. Swelling of the nasal tissues can cause sinus headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and sore throat. Some people start sneezing when walking from a cold air-conditioned room into warmer air, though sneezing in patients with vasomotor rhinitis is rare (sneezing may indicate the presence of comorbid allergic rhinitis). Other common symptoms include reduced sense of taste or smell, chronic cough and throat-clearing.

Treatment

Vasomotor rhinitis cannot be cured completely but can be brought under a measure of control. Avoidance of the irritants is a common sense method of controlling vasomotor rhinitis (though many irritants, such as weather changes, cannot of course be controlled). Prophylaxis therapy is also recommended as it will help protect the patient before being exposed to the irritant.
There are a number of medications that may be effective in the treatment of vasomotor rhinitis. In general, the available treatments are similar to those used in allergic rhinitis.
Ipratropium bromide is available in nasal spray formulation. It may be of benefit, particularly in the presence of marked rhinorrhoea.
Nasal corticosteroid sprays may be prescribed, and often work well when used regularly. These control inflammation of the nasal tissues.
Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine-based pills, may provide benefit, but are associated with side-effects such as nervousness and jitteriness, insomnia, hypertension, and so on. (Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug, which means that it simulates the effect of fight-or-flight chemicals, such as adrenaline, in the body.) A trial and error reduction of dosage may alleviate the side-effects while maintaining the effectiveness.
Decongestant nasal sprays (as opposed to oral decongestants) are not recommended. These may provide short term relief, but excessive use may result in rhinitis medicamentosa (a type of rebounding) – the nasal blood vessels get even more hypersensitive. Overuse or addiction to decongestant nasal sprays is actually a cause of vasomotor rhinitis.
Antihistamines are designed for use in allergic rhinitis and, while considered safe, are rarely effective. Interestingly, azelastine, the only topical antihistamine spray currently available in the United States, has shown some benefit in non-allergic or vasomotor rhinitis.
Many patients find irrigation with nasal saline spray alleviates symptoms. Nasal saline spray dilutes irritants and mitigates their effects. (Stir one teaspoon of non-iodised salt into 500 millilitres of boiled or distilled water, and pour into nasal spray dispensers when cool).

Alternative Treatments

If saline spray does not provide relief, rinsing can be more effective. Rinsing actually involves flooding the nasal passages, and often some of the sinuses, with a solution. Rinsing is particularly effective for those with severe non-allergenic rhinitis which can produce large amounts of thick mucous that is difficult to expel.
For some patients, rinsing may be the only effective method for clearing the nasal passages, and can benefit the sinuses as well. Rinsing can quickly become the preferred treatment, as the effects can be dramatic, and probably will become a lifetime daily ritual for those with severe disease. You cannot rinse too often, and symptoms each day dictate the frequency of rinsing.
Rinsing can be combined with daily or occasional use of pseudoephedrine, and/or corticosteroid nasal sprays when symptoms dictate.
Unlike other forms of treatment, rinsing will not produce any side effects such as dry throat or mouth, rebound effect, nervousness, or heart palpitations. The ideal solution is pH balanced. It contains sodium chloride (table salt), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and water. Measuring the salts is not really practical for most patients, due to the small quantities needed, and the likely need to rinse many times each day, unless there is no other choice. Therefore, various commercial solutions are available which also include a special squeeze bottle for introducing the liquid through one nostril at a time while holding the other closed. Typically 8 ounces of water is used for each rinse.
An isotonic (balanced) solution is normally used. Sometimes a hypertonic (higher salt content) solution may be employed; hypertonic solutions are thought to be better at reducing inflammation and drawing out mucus, though studies on the topic have not necessarily borne this out.
Rinsing may be useful to relieve any hearing disturbance due to the clogging up of sinuses by the mucus, which creates a different pressure behind the inner ear, and by the clogging of mucous in the back of the throat at the opening to the eustachian tube which leads to the middle ear, which can lead to an inside echo effect (called autophony) when the patient is talking. This disturbance can result in a bizarre talking voice and is extremely irritating, to the point where the patient will sometimes avoid talking altogether until the condition clears.
Rinsing is likely beneficial to most patients during the weeks or months following sinus or nasal surgery, regardless of the particular disease the patient has. The rinse removes blood clots, reduces the chance of infection, and helps to achieve normal breathing through the nose. For this rinse, boiled or distilled water is needed. Once the patient is healed, only potable water is required. Greatest comfort and effect is obtained by using warm water whenever possible.
Eucalyptol essential oil is effective treating nonpurulent rhinosinusitis, therefore could also be helpful for Vasomotor rhinitis.
Meditation could be used to alleviate some symptoms of congestion.

External links

• Patricia W. Wheeler, M.D. and Stephen F. Wheeler, M.D. Vasomotor Rhinitis, American Family Physician, September 15, 2005
• Vasomotor rhinitis at Allergy Healthcare
• Allergic Diseases Resource Center - Rhinitis and Rhinosinusitis
• Michael A. Kaliner, M.D. Recognizing and Treating Nonallergic Rhinitis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasomotor_rhinitis

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The question concerning Astelin prescription nasal spray:

I found this table at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050915/1057.html

antihistamines6,9,10
Azelastine (Astelin)
Improvement in rhinorrhea, sneezing, postnasal drip, and nasal congestion9
No serious or unexpected adverse events; bitter taste9



I hope this helps until someone can post their own experiences.

I'm curious why you posted this under animal allergies?

[catlady]

I do use Astelin nasal spray for post nasal drip, and I haven't noticed any side effects. The taste isn't yummy, but it's very temporary and nowhere near as bad as Nasonex (which I use anyway). My main complaint with it is that it does not last all day, and you are only allowed to use it twice. So I'm happy when it's time to dose up, but bummed when it isn't time yet. Still, it helps me through most of the day, and I'm grateful. You are also prohibited from using an oral antihistamine with this product without checking with your doctor, so if you have an oral antihistamine you like and rely on, you should probably just stick with that. If all of those make you drowsy (like me) then you might like this.

[seattlejeff]

After years of using Flonase I needed to switch to Astelin because it was the only prescription sinus spray I could find that didn't have something in it I was allergic to.

Personally I had better results with Flonase, but Astelin seems to be more benign. Also I think Flonase is a steroid where as Astelin isn't but don't take my word for it.

Bottom line, Astelin seems to work ok with no side effects for me.

Seattlejeff

[SneezyKate]

Originally Posted by seattlejeff

After years of using Flonase I needed to switch to Astelin because it was the only prescription sinus spray I could find that didn't have something in it I was allergic to.

Seattlejeff

How did you know other sprays had things you were allergic to in them?

[chris]

Astelin is for allergies and not sinus. I used generic equivalent of Astelin for treating allergies.

---additional info ---

Astelin 0.1% Nasal Spray (Azelastine)
Generic for Astelin is an antihistamine nasal spray that is used to treat hay fever as well as symptoms caused by seasonal allergens and environmental irritants. Also, it is prescribed to treat allergy symptoms such as itchy nose, runny nose, and sneezing. Azelastine works by blocking the effects of histamine in your body.
Recommended Dosage - Discount Prescription Drug Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray
The dosage of Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray prescribed to each patient will vary. Always follow your physician’s instructions and/or the directions on the prescription drug label. The following dosage information includes the common dose of Generic for Astelin. If your dose is different, do not follow the dosage described below unless your physician has approved.
The usual recommended dosage of Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray is two sprays per nostril twice a day.
Missed Dose of Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray
If your physician has instructed or directed you to use Generic for Astelin medication in a regular schedule and you have missed a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the doses unless otherwise directed.
Overdose of Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Generic for Astelin, seek medical attention immediately. The overdose symptom of this drug is extreme sleepiness.
Side Effects of Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray
Like other medicines, Generic for Astelin can cause some side effects. If they do occur, the side effects of Generic for Astelin are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and may require the individual to inform the doctor or visit the nearest hospital immediately.
It is pertinent to note that side effects of Generic for Astelin cannot be anticipated. If any side effects of Generic for Astelin develop or change in intensity, the doctor should be informed as soon as possible.
Generic for Astelin can cause side effects such as headache, nausea, drowsiness, bitter taste, nasal burning, weight gain, and sore throat. Some of the serious side effects of this drug are shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, and chest tightness. This is not a complete list of all side effects. Do concur with your doctor and follow his directions completely when you are taking Generic for Astelin.
Drug Interaction - Cheap Prescription Drug Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray
Usually drug interactions occur when it is taken with another drug or with food. Before you take a medication for a particular ailment, you should inform the health expert about intake of any other medications including non-prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines that may increase the effect of Generic for Astelin, and dietary supplements like vitamins, minerals and herbal, so that the doctor can warn you of any possible drug interactions.
Generic for Astelin can interact with depression medicines, narcotic medicines, cold or allergy medicines, sleeping pills, and muscle relaxants.
Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks containing caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What drug(s) may interact with Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray?

• Alprazolam
• Amobarbital
• Butalbital
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Cimetidine
• Clonazepam
• Diazepam
• Estazolam
• Flurazepam
• Lorazepam
• Midazolam
• Oxycodone
• Phenobarbital
• Temazepam

It may be noted that drugs other than those listed above may also interact with Generic for Astelin.
Before using Generic for Astelin, ask the following questions to the doctor:
Is it possible for me to use Generic for Astelin with other drugs?
Should certain beverages, foods and other products be avoided when I use Generic for Astelin?
What are the possible drug interactions of Generic for Astelin?
How will Generic for Astelin work in my body?
How should Generic for Astelin be used?
How to reduce the risk of Generic for Astelin drug interactions and side effects?
Warnings and Precautions
The health and medical information provided here is intended to supplement and not substitute for the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacists or other health care professional. Before using Generic for Astelin, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. As this medication can cause drowsiness, caution needs to be exercised while d riving or operating machinery. Also, limit intake of alcohol while being treated with Generic for Astelin Nasal Spray.