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Astelin Active Ingredients

Astelin® Nasal Spray acts as a metered-spray antihistamine medication. Azelastine hydrochloride makes up the active ingredient in Astelin. Astelin treats the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children five and older. Additionally Astelin treats the symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis---post-nasal drip and nasal congestion in adults and children 12 years of age and older.

  1. Azelastine Hydrochloride

    • Astelin® contains 0.1 percent azelastine hydrochloride (HCL). Astelin delivers 137 micrograms (mcg) of solution nasally. Azelastine HCL appears as a white, near odorless crystalline powder. The chemical has a molecular weight of 418.37 and melts at approximately 225 cegrees C. Nursing mothers should take caution when using Astelin because tests have not shown whether azelastine HCL gets excreted in human milk. Meda Pharmaceuticals in Somerset, New Jersey manufactures Astelin. Other ingredients include sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate, hypromellose, edetate disodium, citric acid, benzalkonium chloride and purified water.

    Benzalkonium Chloride

    • Benzalkonium chloride---chemical name Ammonium, alkyldimethylbenzyl-, chloride, acts as a topical antiseptic, treats minor cuts, scrapes and burns. It helps prevent infections. Do not use benzalkonium chloride if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or if an animal bite, deep wound or serious burn exist. While used sparingly for medical purposes, the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for benzalkonium chloride lists it as very dangerous in cases of skin and eye contact or ingestion and inhalation.

    Sodium Chloride

    • Sodium chloride---the chemical name for salt---prevents and treats sodium loss due to excessive sweating or dehydration.

    Edetate Disodium

    • Edetate disodium (EDTA---abbreviation for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) acts as a chelating (KEE-late-ing) agent. Chelating agents remove heavy metals such as mercury from the blood. EDTA usages include the treatment of hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) and to control ventricular arrhythmias caused by digitalis toxicity.

    Hypromellose

    • Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose's high viscosity characteristic makes it an ideal compound as a thickening, lubricating and clinging agent. The polymer also sees use in some eye surgeries to help keep the eye lubricated. A number of artificial tears products use hypromellose as the active ingredient.

    Citric Acid

    • Citric acid works as a natural preservative found in citrus fruits. It also adds an acidic or sour taste to foods and beverages. Citric acid also acts as an alkalinizing agent that makes the urine less acidic.

    Purified Water

    • Water becomes purified through a series of treatments designed to reduce microorganisms. Most drinking water receives purification treatment from the city water treatment plant. The water goes through four stages before it reaches a purified state---screening, coagulation and settling, filtration and disinfection.

    Dibasic Sodium Phosphate

    • Sodium Monohydrogen Phosphate (2:1:1) has a number of uses including an electrolyte replenisher, laxative, urinary acidifier, and antiurolithic (prevents the formation of urinary calculi).

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