What Is Azelastine Used For? -- An Overview
- Seasonal and year-round (perennial) nasal allergy symptoms in adults and children as young as five years old
- Non-allergic nasal symptoms due to irritants in adults and children as young as 12 years old.
Astepro is approved to treat seasonal and year-round (perennial)
allergies, while Astelin as approved for treating seasonal allergies and allergies due to other irritants (vasomotor rhinitis).
(This article refers to azelastine nasal spray (Astelin or Astepro). For the eye drop form of this medication, see Optivar Uses.)
Why Is Azelastine Used for Nasal Allergies?
Allergies are the immune system's specific reaction to a normally harmless substance, such as pollens, certain foods, or medicines. Allergies can either be seasonal or perennial. Seasonal allergies (such as
hay fever) occur at specific times of the year, while perennial allergies can occur throughout the year.
Allergies can affect various parts of the body, and symptoms are particularly common in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Nasal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis) mostly affect the nose and eyes. Symptoms may include:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itching nose, eyes, ears, or throat.
Combined with strategies to minimize a person's contact with allergens,
allergy treatment can make life bearable for even the worst allergy sufferer. Treatment often includes
allergy shots or medications. Azelastine is a particularly useful
allergy medicine for treating symptoms that primarily affect the nose.
