Azelastine
(Redirected from Astelin)
An antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis
Azelastine is a pharmaceutical drug used primarily as an antihistamine for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. It is available in various forms, including nasal sprays and eye drops, and is known for its ability to relieve symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
Azelastine is a selective histamine H1 receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the action of histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms. Azelastine also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which contribute to its effectiveness in treating allergic conditions.
Medical Uses[edit | edit source]
Azelastine is indicated for the treatment of:
- Allergic rhinitis: Azelastine nasal spray is used to relieve nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.
- Allergic conjunctivitis: Azelastine eye drops are used to treat itching of the eyes caused by allergic conjunctivitis.
Administration[edit | edit source]
Azelastine is administered as a nasal spray or eye drops. The nasal spray is typically used twice daily, while the eye drops are used as needed, usually up to four times a day.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
Common side effects of azelastine include:
Less common side effects may include:
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
Azelastine works by inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells and blocking the H1 receptor, preventing histamine from binding and causing allergic symptoms. It also stabilizes mast cells and has anti-inflammatory effects, reducing the overall allergic response.
Chemical Properties[edit | edit source]
Azelastine is chemically classified as a phthalazinone derivative. Its molecular formula is C22H24ClN3O, and it has a molecular weight of 381.9 g/mol. The compound is a white, crystalline powder that is slightly soluble in water.
History[edit | edit source]
Azelastine was first developed in the 1970s and was approved for medical use in the 1980s. It has since become a widely used medication for the treatment of allergic conditions.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen, Prab R. Tumpati, MD
