Tired of a stuffy nose and sneezing? Let's learn about this Nasal Spray (Azelastine; Fluticasone)

There are some days, right? You wake up in the morning and sneeze after sneeze. Your nose is blocked, your mucus is running, and your nose and eyes are itchy. Allergies like these make it impossible to do your daily tasks properly. So, today we are going to talk about a medicine that doctors often recommend at times like these and that brings relief to many people. That is a nasal spray made by combining two medicines called Azelastine and Fluticasone.

Simply put, what is this medicine?

This is a combination of two types of medicine. To be precise:

• Azelastine: This is a 'histamine blocker'. When our body has an allergy, a chemical called 'histamine' is produced. It is this chemical called histamine that causes the sneezing, itchy nose, and runny nose. Azelastine works by stopping the action of that histamine.
• Fluticasone: This is a type of corticosteroid. It works by reducing swelling and redness inside the nose, which is what we medically call 'inflammation'.

So, when these two are combined, they are a great help in controlling the uncomfortable symptoms of allergies such as sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, and nasal congestion .

Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication

Before you start using this medicine, it is very important to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• If you have cataracts or glaucoma.
• If you have an existing infection in your body, such as tuberculosis, a viral infection like herpes, or another fungal infection.
• If you have recently had surgery or an injury to your nose or sinuses.
• If you are already using an oral corticosteroid.
• If you have had an allergic reaction to azelastine, fluticasone, steroids, or any other medicine, food, or preservative.
• If you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother.

Talk openly with your doctor about anything like this.

How exactly do you use this?

This is an intranasal spray, so follow these instructions exactly.

1. Shake well: You should shake the bottle well before use.

2. Use it correctly: If you are not sure about the correct way to use this, ask your doctor for guidance.

3. Do not exceed the dosage: Use only the amount and frequency prescribed by your doctor. Never use more than the prescribed amount .

If you give it to children...

Doctors sometimes recommend this medicine for children over 6 years old. However, it is important to talk to your pediatrician about it and seek his advice.

What if the medicine is used too much?

If you suddenly feel that you have taken too much of this medicine, do not delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

If this happens, don't worry. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.

Other things that may interact with this medicine

When you use this medicine, interactions may occur with the following things.

• Alcohol
• Some medications for anxiety or sleep
• Medications like Cimetidine and Ketoconazole
• Some medications for HIV infection
• Other antihistamines
• Some vaccines

This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about any other medications, herbs, vitamins, or dietary supplements you are taking. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.

Things to keep in mind when using the medicine

• Drowsiness: This may make you feel a little sleepy or dizzy . So, until you know exactly how this medicine affects you , do not do anything that requires a lot of attention, such as driving or operating machinery . Drinking alcohol can make this drowsiness worse.
• Risk of infection: This medicine may slightly weaken your immune system and increase your risk of infection. So be very careful if you are around someone who has a disease like chickenpox or measles. Also, tell your doctor if any wound on your body is slow to heal.
• Symptoms: If your symptoms do not improve, or if they worsen, let your doctor know.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medication, this one can have some side effects. Let's break them down into two categories.

How do you keep this safe?

• Keep away from children: Keep this in a safe place out of the reach of children.
• Storage: Keep the bottle tightly closed at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Never put it in the freezer .
• Discard after expiration: After the expiration date stated on the bottle, or after 120 sprays have been used (whichever comes first), discard any remaining medicine.

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