Dymista

Generic Name: azelastine and fluticasone nasal (AY zel AS teen and floo TIK a sone)
Brand Names: Dymista

What is Dymista?

Dymista nasal spray contains a combination of azelastine and fluticasone. Azelastine is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Fluticasone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Dymista nasal spray is used to treat nasal symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and runny nose caused by seasonal allergies.

Dymista nasal spray is for use in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

Important information

You should not use Dymista if you are allergic to azelastine (Astelin, Astepro, Optivar) or fluticasone (Advair, Cutivate, Flovent, Flonase, Veramyst), or if you are also taking ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).

Before using Dymista, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma or cataracts, diabetes, herpes simplex virus of your eyes, tuberculosis or any other infection, sores or ulcers inside your nose, or if you have recently had injury of or surgery on your nose.

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It may take up to several days of using Dymista nasal spray before your symptoms improve. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a week of treatment.

Fluticasone can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

Do not share Dymista with other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old without medical advice. Steroid medication can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Dymista if you are allergic to azelastine or fluticasone.

To make sure Dymista is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

glaucoma or cataracts;

herpes simplex virus of your eyes;

tuberculosis or any other infection or illness;

sores or ulcers inside your nose; or

if you have recently had injury of or surgery on your nose.

It is not known whether Dymista will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether azelastine and fluticasone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give Dymista nasal spray to a child younger than 6 years old without medical advice. Steroid medication can affect growth in children. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication.

How should I use Dymista?

Use Dymista exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Dymista nasal spray comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use, and directions for priming the inhaler device. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Shake the medicine bottle gently just before each use.

To use the Dymista nasal spray:

Blow your nose gently. Keep your head upright and insert the tip of bottle into one nostril. Press your other nostril closed with your finger. Breathe in and gently spray the medicine into your nose. Then use the spray in your other nostril.

Do not blow your nose for at least a few minutes after using the nasal spray.

If the spray gets in your eyes or mouth or on your skin, rinse with water.

If the Dymista nasal spray has not been used for longer than 2 weeks, prime it by spraying 1 or more sprays into the air, away from your face, until a fine mist appears.

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes or mouth.

Do not allow a young child to use this medicine without help from an adult.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Dymista can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

To be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects on your nose or sinuses, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.

Store Dymista nasal spray in an upright position at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the dust cap on the medicine bottle when not in use. Throw the bottle away after you have used 120 sprays, even if there is still medicine left in the bottle.

Dymista dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

1 spray in each nostril twice a day

Uses: Relief of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Allergic Rhinitis:

6 years and older:

1 spray in each nostril twice a day

Uses: Relief of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

An overdose of azelastine and fluticasone is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. However, long term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while using Dymista?

Avoid getting the spray in your eyes or mouth. If this does happen, rinse with water for at least 10 minutes.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medicine.

Dymista side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Dymista: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using azelastine and call your doctor at once if you have:

severe drowsiness;

severe or ongoing nosebleeds;

noisy breathing, runny nose, or crusting around your nostrils;

redness, sores, or white patches in your mouth or throat;

fever, chills, tiredness, body aches;

blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

any wound that will not heal; or

signs of low adrenal gland hormones - worsening tiredness or muscle weakness, feeling light-headed, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Common Dymista side effects may include:

headache;

nosebleeds; or

unusual taste in your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Dymista?

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking Dymista with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra); or

antifungal medicine - fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with azelastine and fluticasone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.