Latest Shows & Articles

Subscriptions
  • Join our People's Pharmacy Page on Facebook
  • Follow JoeGraedon on Twitter
  • Follow Us
  • Free email newsletter

Antihistamine Nasal Spray Offers Pricey Relief

Click thumbs up to vote yes Click thumbs down to vote no Was this information helpful? (0 votes)
What do you think? Click "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to vote!
If you have more to say, post a comment below!

Q. You have written about allergies but I think you may have missed the next great allergy drug. I was having problems last winter and tried Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec in succession, but all had lost their effectiveness.

The nurse practitioner had noticed that the specialists were prescribing Astelin nasal spray (nasal antihistamine) and it was working like magic. She wrote me a prescription and I had it filled. It works instantly and lasts all day. The only drawback is that it makes me sneeze once or twice when I first spray it. It doesn’t make me sleepy or dopey, which is good since we all have to stay sharp at our jobs.

A. We’re delighted you’ve had such good results. Astelin nasal spray is a topical antihistamine, but not everyone benefits as much as you. It is normally used twice daily and is about as effective as oral antihistamines.

Side effects of Astelin may include a bitter taste in the mouth, drowsiness, headache, nasal burning, sneezing, sore throat, dry mouth and fatigue. A one-ounce bottle can cost as much as $90.

5 Comments

| Leave a comment

I haven't used Astelin, however I have used more than one of the other new type nasal sprays such as Nasalcort, Rhinocort. They worked great as I have violent itching in my throat and soft palette and it stops that dead.

I was given Astelin to try when I got sick this past winter. It has woked better than all the other allergy nasal sprays I have tried including Rhinocort Aqua. One of the best things I noticed about Astelin was that while I was using it when I was around cigrette smoke it didn't bother me at all.

I have life-long allergies & been on most medicines available. Last year when my allergist prescribed Astelin I wasn't expecting anything different. I was very surprised when shortly after I started using Astelin, I had a significant improvement in my symptoms. It hasn't been a miracle cure, but it sure provides relief that I've not experienced with any other drug.

I have used the Astelin and I was one of the unfortunate people who experienced the bitter taste in my mouth. Oh that was nasty!

I just tried it 20 minnutes ago, and finally I can breath after 2 weeks with the nose 50% blocked. It's a great product!

Thanks internet, for suggesting to me such a good solution, which my doctors ignore.

Now I've one more reason for not believing in the public medical service in my country.

Leave a comment

Share your comments or questions with the People's Pharmacy online community. Not all comments will be posted. Advice from other visitors to this web site should not be considered a substitute for appropriate medical attention.

Check this box to be notified by email when follow-up comments are posted.