Azelair™ (azelastine hydrochloride)

Azelair is a steroid-free option to effectively treat allergic rhinitis.¹

Azelair is an antihistamine nasal spray that is commonly used to alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It works by blocking the action of histamines, the chemicals responsible for causing allergy symptoms. Azelastine helps reduce sneezing, itching, runny or stuffy nose, and other nasal allergy symptoms. It is suitable for both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Indication: Azelair™ is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinitis in adults, adolescents and children 6 years and older.¹

Triple mode of action

Azelair™ has a triple mode of action that covers all stages of the allergic response.^1,2

Efficacy

Symptom relief within 30 minutes¹²

Azelair™ provides relief from allergic rhinitis symptoms within 30 minutes.¹²

Azelair is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinitis in adults, adolescents and children 6 years and older.¹

Posology
Adults and adolescents 12 years and older:
2 sprays in each nostril once a day. In some cases, 2 sprays in each nostril twice a day may be required. The maximum daily dose is 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily.

Children 6 to 11 years:
1 spray in each nostril twice daily.

Clinical experience of up to 4 weeks duration showed good efficacy and safety in children. Longer experiences in children have not been available; however, clinical trials of up to one year duration using a double higher daily dose showed good safety in adults and adolescents.

PRESCRIBING INFORMATION 

AZELAIR 0.15% NASAL SPRAY 

Please refer to Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) before prescribing. 

Indications (Common): Symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinitis in adults, adolescents and children 6 years and older.

Presentation: Nasal pump spray containing 1.5 mg/ml azelastine hydrochloride solution. The delivered dose per actuation (0.14 ml) contains 0.21 mg azelastine hydrochloride equivalent to 0.19 mg azelastine.

Dosage and administration (Common): Adults and adolescents 12 years and older: 2 sprays in each nostril once a day. In some cases, 2 sprays in each nostril twice a day may be required. The maximum daily dose is 2 sprays in each nostril twice daily. Children 6 to 11 years: 1 spray in each nostril twice daily. Use longer than 4 weeks is not recommended in children 6-11 years due to lack of clinical data.

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the active substance azelastine hydrochloride or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1 of the SmPC.

Warnings and precautions (Common): Nothing relevant

Interaction with other medicinal products: No specific interaction studies with azelastine nasal spray have been performed. Interaction studies at high oral doses have been performed. However, they bear no relevance to Azelair as systemic levels after administration reach no more than 1/5 of the levels that were well tolerated after oral administration.

Pregnancy, lactation and fertility: There are no or limited amount of data from the use of azelastine in pregnant women. At high oral doses reproductive toxicity has been seen in animals (see section 5.3 of SmPC). Therefore, caution should be exercised when using Azelair during pregnancy. It is unknown whether azelastine/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when azelastine is administered to a nursing woman. Effects on fertility were seen in animal studies at oral doses greater than 3.0 mg/kg/day.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines: Azelair has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Rarely, the patient may experience fatigue, weariness, exhaustion, dizziness or weakness due to the disease itself, or when using Azelair. In these cases, the ability to drive and use machines may be impaired. Special attention should be paid to the fact that alcohol may enhance these effects.

Undesirable effects: Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10): dysgeusia (unpleasant taste). A substance-specific unpleasant taste may be experienced after administration (often due to incorrect method of application, namely tilting the head too far backwards during administration) which, in rare cases, may lead to nausea. Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100): nasal discomfort (stinging, itching), sneezing, epistaxis. Please refer to SmPC for details of rare and very rare adverse events.

Legal Category: POM Marketing Authorisation Number: PL 46302/0085 MAH: Mylan Products Ltd.,
Station Close, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 1TL, UK NHS Price: £9.90 for 20 ml bottle
Date of preparation: 04/2023
AZR-2023-0016 

The SmPC for this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contra-indications, and method of use can be found at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Medicinesinformation/SPCandPILs/index.htm and from Mylan Medical Information, Building 4, Trident Place, Hatfield Business Park, Mosquito Way, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9UL, phone no. 01707 853000, Email: info.uk@viatris.com 

AZR-2023-0014 August 2023

Contraindications¹

Hypersensitivity to the active substance azelastine hydrochloride or to any of the excipients.

Side Effects¹

The SPC for Azelair™ lists hypersensitivity, dysgeusia, dizziness, nasal discomfort, sneezing, epistaxis, nausea, fatigue, weakness, rashes, pruritus or urticaria as either very rare, rare or common adverse reactions.

For a full list of adverse reactions, precautions, contraindications, and method of use please consult the SPC.¹

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/14989

BSACI guideline recommendations¹

Adapted from BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (Revised Edition 2017;First edition 2007). Clin Exp Allergy 2017;47(7):856 889.

Intranasal steroids with high bioavailability may cause adverse events and should be used with caution in children.¹

Adapted from Scadding GS et al. 2017. The figure shows bioavailability of intranasal corticosteroids. The more recent molecules have little systemic uptake and are suitable for use in children and for long-term therapy.