Azelastine

The Basics

What is Azelastine?

It can treat allergic itching of the eyes.

Brand names for Azelastine

Astelin

How Azelastine is classified

Antihistamines

Azelastine During Pregnancy

Azelastine pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Azelastine while pregnant

There are no adequate and well-controlled clinical studies in pregnant women. Azelastine hydrochloride has been shown to cause developmental toxicity in mice, rats, and rabbits. Astelin Nasal Spray should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Teratogenic Effects In mice, azelastine hydrochloride caused embryo-fetal death, malformations (cleft palate; short or absent tail; fused, absent or branched ribs), delayed ossification, and decreased fetal weight at approximately 170 times the maximum recommended human daily intranasal dose (MRHDID) in adults (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal oral dose of 68.6 mg/kg/day which also caused maternal toxicity as evidenced by decreased body weight). Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred in mice at approximately 7 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal oral dose of 3 mg/kg/day). In rats, azelastine hydrochloride caused malformations (oligo-and brachydactylia), delayed ossification and skeletal variations, in the absence of maternal toxicity, at approximately 150 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal oral dose of 30 mg/kg/day). Azelastine hydrochloride caused embryo-fetal death and decreased fetal weight and severe maternal toxicity at approximately 340 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal oral dose of 68.6 mg/kg/day). Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred at approximately 15 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal oral dose of 2 mg/kg/day). In rabbits, azelastine hydrochloride caused abortion, delayed ossification and decreased fetal weight and severe maternal toxicity at approximately 300 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal oral dose of 30 mg/kg/day). Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred at approximately 3 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m² basis at a maternal oral dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day).

Taking Azelastine While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Azelastine?

Small occasional doses of azelastine nasal spray would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Larger doses or more prolonged use of the nasal spray may cause drowsiness and other effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine or before lactation is well established. Infant rejection of the breast might occur because of the bitter taste of the drug. The oral, nonsedating antihistamines are preferred alternatives. Because absorption from the eye is limited, azelastine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Small occasional doses of azelastine nasal spray would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Larger doses or more prolonged use of the nasal spray may cause drowsiness and other effects in the infant or decrease the milk supply, particularly in combination with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine or before lactation is well established. Infant rejection of the breast might occur because of the bitter taste of the drug. The oral, nonsedating antihistamines are preferred alternatives. Because absorption from the eye is limited, azelastine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Possible effects of Azelastine on milk supply

Antihistamines in relatively high doses given by injection can decrease basal serum prolactin in nonlactating women and in early postpartum women.[2][3] However, suckling-induced prolactin secretion is not affected by antihistamine pretreatment of postpartum mothers.[2] Whether lower oral doses of antihistamines have the same effect on serum prolactin or whether the effects on prolactin have any consequences on breastfeeding success have not been studied. The prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.

Possible alternatives to Azelastine

Desloratadine, Fexofenadine, Loratadine.