Drug name
Astelin (Azelastine)
Drug Description
Astelin is prescribed for treating seasonal allergy symptoms such as sternutation, runny nose, itchy throat, watery eyes. It is also prescribed for the treatment hives and skin itching. The medicine may also be used for other conditions as advised by your health care provider.
Intake Instruction
Please thoroughly follow the instructions for using this medicine advised by your health care provider.
This medicine should be taken with meals or without it.
Please take Astelin with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
Make sure not drink fruit juice at the same time of taking Astelin. Some fruit juices (eg, grapefruit, apple, orange) may lower Astelin 's effectiveness.
In case you take antacids which include aluminum or magnesium, make sure not take them at the same periods you pass treatment with Astelin. Please consult your health care provider on queries concerning the use of Astelin.
Missed Dose
Should you miss a dose of this medicine please take it asap. If you find you have missed the previous dosage when it is almost time for your next dose, you should better skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Taking double or extra doses or missing ones is recommended only after thorough advice of your attending medical doctor.
Drug Category and Mechanism
Astelin represents an antihistamine nasal spray. It functions by blocking the action of histamine, which decreases allergy symptoms
Storage
The medicine must be stored at room temperature, 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) and thus protected from heat, as well as direct light.
Safety Precautions
Taking Astelin is not recommended in case:
you have allergic reactions to any component in Astelin.
Contact your health care provider immediately if any of the mentioned conditions are applicable to you.
Crucial Information :
Astelin may cause giddiness. These effects may be burdened in case you take the medicine with alcohol or some categories of medicines. Make sure to use Astelin with precaution.
Do not drive, use machinery, or do any actions which require mental alertness until you certainly inform how this medicine may affect you.
Do not take alcohol or medicines which may cause giddiness (e.g., sleep aids, muscle relaxers) in the process of being treated with Astelin; it may worsen their effects.
Please discuss with your health care provider your additional queries on the medicine use and
medicines causing drowsiness.
The medicine has an antihistamine in it. Before you start taking any new medicine, make sure to first check the label for an antihistamine (e.g., diphenhydramine) as its component. If you find it or if you are not certain, please discuss the matter with your health care provider.
Astelin may cause damage if it is swallowed. If taken the medicine it by mouth, immediately seek medical assistance. Astelin should be taken with extreme precaution in children under 5 years old; safety and potency in these children have not yet been confirmed.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
If you are pregnant, please immediately contact your physician. You have to consult with your doctor on the benefits and risks of using medicine while you are pregnant. It is not yet explored whether Astelin outfalls into breast milk. If you are/ plan to be breast-feeding in the process of treatment with Astelin, please inform your health care provider. Make sure to discuss any probable risks to your fetus.
Probable Side Effects
Make sure to discuss with your health care provider if any of these most common side effects are continuos or become bothersome:
mild emesis or retching.
Immediately seek medical assistance if any of these austere side effects occur:
severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; hard breathing; tenseness in the thorax; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); appetite loss; dark stools; changes in menstruation; cramps; depression; giddiness; fever; headache; higher pressure in the eye; articulation or muscle pain; muscle weakness; prolonged sore throat, cold, or heat; austere nausea or retching; swelling of feet or legs; uncommon weight gain; emesis that looks like coffee grounds; weariness; weight loss.
Extra Information
An important note: This medicine is for you only. Sharing this medicine with others is not recommended.
If your symptoms do not show improvement in the treatment course, please necessarily contact your physician.