Seasonal snifflers can now treat their noses without getting their whole bodies involved. The newest Rx antihistamine for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) has just been released in the form of a spray. Azelastine HCl (brand name Astelin) is the first and currently only antihistamine nasal spray that treats runny, sniffling, sneezing, and itchy noses directly at their source.
“Currently, all other antihistamines must be taken orally, which means they are first absorbed into the bloodstream and then work systemically in the body,” says Eli O. Meltzer, MD, an allergy specialist at the University of California at San Diego. These include familiar over-the-counter (OTC) products like Benadryl and Chlor-Trimeton, and newer prescription meds like Claritin and Allegra.
“Azelastine offers three potential benefits,” says Dr. Meltzer. One, since it’s administered as a nasal spray, you absorb less medication than you would when you swallow a pill. Two, you probably have a slightly faster onset of action. Three, it appears to cause less drowsiness than the older OTC products.
On the downside, 1 in 5 people complains of a bitter taste following its use. The aftertaste may be a deciding factor if you’re already happy with your current antihistamine–azelastine works no better or no worse than what’s now available.
Azelastine can be used preventively, as needed, or continually. Unlike some Rx antihistamines, it does not have any known drug interactions that restrict its use.
