Generic Name: Azelastine nasal for Allergic Rhinitis (azelastine-nasal)
Astelin (azelastine) "As a pharmacist, I tried everything I knew for chronic postnasal drip and dry (usually non-productive) cough. No oral meds and/or steroidal products rendered relief. I tried everything from older tried-and-true decongestant and antihistamine meds to the newer generation antihistamines and steroidal sprays. Antigen skin testing from my allergist was negative. No itchy eyes or throat. It appeared to be non-allergic (vasomotor rhinitis) that is often misdiagnosed by GPs but common in millions of patients in the U.S. The result was immediate. Two sprays in each nostril twice daily was like a miracle cure. Educate yourself about this condition that exhibits itself in a similar fashion to allergic rhinitis but is treated completely differently due to a completely different mechanism. You may want to see an allergist for the antigen skin tests like I did to rule out allergic rhinitis. Hope this helps. I have absolutely no financial stake in this product."
"Decades of worsening seasonal allergies eight months of the year plus dust allergies. Tried almost everything, and rely on a large cocktail of semi-effective drugs to be semi-functional. A lot of the time my life is very limited. Allergist gave me a sample nasal spray with azelastine and a corticosteroid, and it has dramatically improved my life during the onset of allergy season. She demonstrated how to use it to avoid bitterness: stand up and hang your head towards the floor. But also: spray it on an angle towards the ear, not the center of your head. Stay down for 30 seconds. Breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth. It's so effective but in the beginning, I couldn't imagine long-term use because of the taste and don't understand why they don't address it. These tips changed that. Highly recommend at least trying this drug out. All the best in the pollen times!"
Astelin (azelastine) "'Year-round congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and sinus infections lead my complaints. I began Azelastine per my ENT's strong suggestion, and am now in my tenth month of use and feel virtually allergy-free. Most surprising for me has been the dramatically reduced congestion, something no antihistamine has ever done for me. And no side effects for me—a first among the most effective allergy meds I've tried—and no steroid worries. Actually makes me a bit worse for 5-10 minutes right after spraying, then rapidly better and hitting full stride for hours 2-10, sometimes longer. Mildly bitter taste until I improved my spray technique. I have rarely thanked a doctor so sincerely for recommending a med. I'll likely be using this spray and technique (1 spray/side, twice daily) every day for many years to come. How nice to breathe fresh air again, without drowsiness.'"
"Bitterness. Bitter is not even the right word. It's like chewing aspirin that's been soaking in battery acid and letting that linger in the back of your throat for five hours. It is effective, however. But the taste is so bad I almost cannot bring myself to use it. I will try standing on my head next time (no kidding) and gargling all day with Listerine. They must fix this -- it's unbearable."
Astepro (azelastine) "I have used it a few days now. I think it provides some relief with relatively mild side effects. Mostly drowsiness for myself. I found it interesting that my review on the Astepro site was rejected by a review panel. Guess I mentioned side effects and gave it only an average rating. Seems like a medical site should allow honest reviews from people rather than filtering out the reviews. I think the spray is an option, but I am not sure it's any better than other types."
"Azelastine has worked at reducing my nagging post-nasal drip, congestion, and sinus pressure. I have several sinus infections each year and seasonal allergies, both with terrible post-nasal drip, but certain OTC and Rx oral allergy meds as well as nasal sprays such as Nasonex, Nasacort, and Flonase all gave me horrible heart palpitations, but thankfully the Azelastine does not. I have no side effects from this med at all, not drowsy, no headaches, it has done wonders for me, I highly recommend trying."
"I have been on this medicine for 3+ months now and I am in love! I have a severe allergy to mold and was temporarily working in a home that definitely has mold issues. I started this nasal spray and had instantaneous relief from achy sinus pressure and a sore throat. It's my godsend! The only downfall is the taste in the back of your throat. However, if you actually read the directions and follow them, it won't happen. If you lean your head forward and sniff gently ONLY AFTER spraying, you will not get it in the back of your throat and there won't be a bitter taste."
Astelin (azelastine) "After the CT scan that revealed no internal issues, he knew it was allergies and ordered an allergy test which showed severe allergies. He prescribed this! The moment I took this, I could breathe within 15 minutes. The taste can take some getting used to, but so what? Your doctor prescribes things because the pros outweigh the cons, and you can't judge a medication just because of using it a time or two! I would rather adjust to the unpleasant taste a million times again as long as I never have to deal with sinus misery again. With that being said, I hate relying on meds in general, and here's to hoping my 5 years' worth of allergy shots he ordered me to will eliminate them all!"
"I am 59 years old and can't remember a time I didn't use Afin nasal spray or one of those. I have horrible nasal congestion and will do anything to unstop my nose. I was so tired of that rebound effect. ENT told me to try Astelin. Used a coupon to get it. I am so glad I read the attached paperwork. So I found if you hold your head down and spray, you won't get that bad taste. Since starting, I feel no more congestion, it instantly unstops my nose. The only thing it makes me feel is a little like I am hungover in the morning."
"This stuff has given me back a normal life. I had a chronic cough that lasted year-round. Ran a bunch of tests on my lungs, and they’re great. Did some long courses of steroids and proton pump inhibitors, thinking it could be acid reflux. None of it helped. I would be coughing through a sentence and sometimes become so exhausted that I would go home from wherever I was at the moment, totally frustrated! Only after I saw an ENT did he suggest I have post-nasal drip and gave me the azelastine! This year is the first year I have been cough-free in ages! As soon as I feel that aggravating tickle, I just spray twice in each nostril, and within minutes, the coughing stops! So what that it tastes bad. I don’t even give a darn. I just chase it away with water. The only side effect that I can see is the weird little acne-like rash on my chin that doesn’t go away unless I stop using it for at least a week. I’ll take pimples over coughing."
Astelin (azelastine) "I was prescribed this for allergies. I find it works really well and does not make me drowsy. I have used Claritin, Allegra, and Zyrtec but find that Astelin works faster and takes care of my seasonal allergies, especially the sinus congestion. It works fast and provides me all-day relief I was not getting from other medications. I do not use it daily, only when my symptoms are occurring. The taste is bitter, I keep Altoid mints with me to get rid of the aftertaste."
"I have had chronic sinus issues for 30 years. Nose is always clogged. ENT started me on a steroid rinse twice daily, got a little relief but not enough. This last visit, he added Azelastine 2 times daily and it’s been a Godsend. I can breathe so well to the point of feeling a bit odd. Only side effect is a little sleepy feeling. As far as the taste, my doctor instructed me to keep it in the fridge to reduce the bitterness and tilt my head down when I use it, letting it drain back out of my nose and not my throat. Worth it either way."
Astelin (azelastine) "My response to Astelin at first was great. Stopped post-nasal drip within hours. I suffer from allergies to trees and grasses, and I love the outdoors. For many years, I had about 4 sinus infections a year. I lived on steroids and antibiotics, and when I was in my 50s, I got steroid-induced diabetes. This medicine was very helpful, and along with a steroid spray and allergy shots, I got better control. Unfortunately, in my sixties, I am having more side effects to a lot of meds, and I can't take it anymore because it's giving me blurred vision and aggravating my asthma. But it was helpful, and it's worth a try."
Astelin (azelastine) "I've suffered for years with allergies both seasonal/environmental and chemical. I carried Benadryl and hydrocortisone in my purse for years. I recently had issues with my right ear with vibration and popping as well as hearing my inhalation through my nose in my ear. I also had awful postnasal drip year-round for as long as I could remember. I went to an ENT doc, and he prescribed me Astelin. I take one spray in each nostril in the morning and again at bedtime. I've been on it for about a month now, and I have never felt better. The hives have decreased, my swollen hands have gone down, and my ear is like new! I highly recommend this antihistamine nasal spray. Inquire with your doctor about it!"
"I've had ongoing allergy problems for many years. I am 50. I have taken all of the allergy medicines and used Flonase for a long time and still had a serious sinus infection almost every two months. I am also a primary school teacher. I currently teach in a school that's quite old, dusty, and moldy. My doctor recently prescribed Azelastine. I use it at bedtime... only one spray on each side. I use Flonase in the morning before work. I have seen a SIGNIFICANT improvement with congestion and a runny nose. I'm used to the 'bitter' taste that everyone mentions with it; however, the relief I have is well worth it!"
"I have non-allergic rhinitis and have anxiety, so I can't use steroids, so I thought I would give azelastine hydrochloride a try. Because I've been through months of drugs that made me worse, I was very cautious. So I put 2 squirts in my right nostril. Immediately, the congestion was worse. So I waited, and nothing. It dried my nose out so bad it would get stuck shut. I also woke up with a bad headache, tingling in my arms, and dizziness. Probably from not breathing well all night."
Astelin (azelastine) "This spray is a 'Godsend' for me. It provided immediate relief to my severe case of vasomotor rhinitis. I suffered from severe nose congestion, (so much so I almost could not breathe), and post-nasal drip which was immediately relieved."
"My seasonal allergies are so severe that I’ve been hiding from society because people will think I have COVID. I’ve had the itchy throat for three months now. Puffy and tender spots around my nose. I get this way every spring. My cough keeps my husband up at night. My dr put me on a cocktail med. Allegra, Flonase, Azelastine. I tried it today for the first time. Two sprays in each nostril. When it trickled down the back of my throat the taste was so horrible I started throwing up. It was traumatizing. Also my food has tasted different all day. My taste is completely different. Is this normal? Even when I drink water it gives it a completely different and gross taste. I just want this out of my system like now!!"
Astepro (azelastine) "I have taken Astepro for 2 months. I've noticed I've started having trouble remembering the names of people I just saw, or common items. It's not listed as a side effect. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I just stopped it and hope my memory improves."
"I'm a 21 y/o female and I take zyrtec and singulair daily for hives and angioedema as well as seasonal allergies. My doctor added Azelastine to the mix for my sinuses and it is just soooo awful - it makes me itchy on the inside of my nose, gives me hives and dry skin, itchy eyes, it just does nothing good or positive for me. I get very anxious and panicky on it and most recently I'm experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain. I'm 1 day off of Azelastine and the chest pain and anxiety still linger. I feel so sick, I'm never using it again!"
"I have had sinus CT scan, nasal endoscopy, allergy shots, extensive bloodwork, prescribed all sorts of nasal medicines, antibiotics etc and I am still experiencing puffy eyes, extremely dry eyes, sticky clear mucus. Nothing is working. I have seen 2 ENTs, 2 allergy/sinus drs (chronic allergies, slight deviated septum no surgery req'd), neurologists (cervicalgia), ophthalmologist and all I get is you are extremely dry. However, no one has been able to pinpoint the cause. I use to have seasonal allergies. Claritin would work. Past year, this has been ongoing. No relief. The head pressure & the thick sticky mucus not draining! I keep my mouth/nose covered everywhere I go. Recently, I was given Azelastine HCI nasal spray to try. I was dizzy/sleepy all day. The head pressure intensified then next morning when I woke up my face/eyes were swollen, puffy, dry. It seems like it made my symptoms worse. At this point, I will continue the Neilmed Sinugator daily until I see my PCP."
Astelin (azelastine) "Astelin has been a miracle drug for me. After months of severe post-nasal drip resulting in a constant sore, irritated throat, this medication provided almost immediate relief. Flonase, Zyrtec, and nasal rinses did nothing to resolve my symptoms. I'm so thankful to the nurse practitioner who prescribed this for me."
"Had a 10-year allergic cough. Had been using Flonase twice a day with Singulair and Zyrtec without relief. Had a blocked nose for as long as I can remember. The effects of azelastine are almost instant. The taste is awful, but it is insignificant in relation to opening my sinuses. I have been able to stop using Zyrtec altogether and only use Flonase once a day. Will attempt to wean off Singulair next. An amazing med."
"You have to tilt your head down when spraying azelastine in your nose and hold your breath. I've had no aftertaste at all. It is helping me, day 2, with sinus rinses a few times a day. I am a little sleepy though, will probably just use it before bed."
"Awesome product - works 100% of the time, easy to use. I was constantly having sinus infections, coughing all the time, just feeling terrible. I was taking Claritin D and Singulair to open my lungs because I was wheezing all the time. Now I just use this once a day and I'm cured! It's amazing!"
Astelin, Astepro
Astelin, Astepro, Astepro Allergy
