Precautions and Warnings With Azelastine

To help minimize risks, make sure you are aware of the precautions and warnings with azelastine before beginning treatment. Prior to using the drug, let your healthcare provider know if you have any allergies or are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Precautions and warnings with azelastine also include those who are allergic to any active or inactive components of the nasal spray.

 

Azelastine: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking azelastine hydrochloride (Astelin®) if you:
 
  • Have any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding.
     
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Precautions and Warnings With Azelastine

Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking azelastine include the following:
 
  • The medication can cause drowsiness. You should see how azelastine affects you before driving or operating heavy machinery.
     
  • Azelastine can potentially interact with other medications (see Drug Interactions With Azelastine).
     
  • Azelastine is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not currently known (see Astelin and Pregnancy).
     
  • It is not known whether azelastine passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Astelin and Breastfeeding).
     
(Precautions and Warnings With Azelastine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;