Antihistamine nasal sprays place the antihistamine in the nasal passages and the sinuses. As an antihistamine is generally used for allergy symptoms, the nasal spray would get the medication to the nose and sinuses without getting to the whole body like a pill would. The effects would also be limited to the nose and sinuses.
Antihistamine nasal sprays are usually recommended for people whose main symptom is nasal congestion. Some experts consider them as a second choice after either an oral antihistamine or corticosteroid nasal spray. The two antihistamine sprays available with a prescription in the US are azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) and olopatadine (Patanase). Azelastine is also available combined with the corticosteroid fluticasone in a single spray product called Dymista.
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