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Nasal Anti-histamine Spray Now Available Over-The-Counter

Up until now, there have been three anti-histamine nasal sprays in the United States market available only by prescription… Astelin, Astepro, and Patanase.

However, in May 2011, Meda Pharma announced a new anti-histamine nasal spray Rhinolast Allergy that is available over-the-counter.

The active ingredient is azelastine, the same one as found in the prescription nasal spray Astelin and Astepro.

Azelastine has a triple mode of action: anti-histamine effect, mast-cell stabilizing effect, and anti-inflammatory effect. Azelastine has a rapid onset of action of 15 minutes.

It can be used from the age of 5 years.

This nasal spray can be used in combination with other over-the-counter anti-histamines medications taken orally like zyrtec, claritin, allegra, and benadryl.

Read more about this new nasal spray here.

Read more about allergy medications in general here.

*This blog post was originally published at Fauquier ENT Blog*

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