How to use Dymista (Azelastine and Fluticasone)?

From the Guidelines

Dymista should be used as a nasal spray, with one spray in each nostril twice daily, to effectively treat allergic rhinitis in patients 12 years or older, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1, 2. To use Dymista, first gently blow your nose to clear your nasal passages. Shake the bottle well before each use. Remove the protective cap, then prime the pump by spraying it 6 times if it's new or 1 time if it hasn't been used for more than 7 days. Hold the bottle upright with your thumb at the base and your index and middle fingers on top. Insert the spray tip into one nostril while blocking the other nostril and pointing the tip away from the nasal septum. Breathe in gently through your nose while spraying once into the nostril. Repeat in the other nostril. The combination of an antihistamine (azelastine) and a corticosteroid (fluticasone) in Dymista provides a synergistic effect, reducing inflammation and allergic symptoms in the nasal passages, as shown in studies 1, 2. Some key points to consider when using Dymista include:

• Typical dose: one spray in each nostril twice daily
• Age restriction: approved for patients 12 years or older
• Common side effects: bitter taste, epistaxis, somnolence, headache
• Importance of regular use: provides better symptom control than occasional use
• Proper administration technique: to avoid spraying into the eyes or directly onto the nasal septum, and to ensure effective delivery of the medication. As recommended by the guidelines, Dymista can be used as a first-line treatment for moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 12 years or older 1, 2.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis The recommended dose of azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution in adults and children 12 years and older with seasonal allergic rhinitis is one or two sprays per nostril twice daily. The recommended dose of azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution in children 5 years to 11 years of age is one spray per nostril twice daily Vasomotor Rhinitis The recommended dose of azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution in adults and children 12 years and older with vasomotor rhinitis is two sprays per nostril twice daily. Before initial use, the delivery system should be primed with 4 sprays or until a fine mist appears When 3 or more days have elapsed since the last use, the pump should be reprimed with 2 sprays or until a fine mist appears. CAUTION: Avoid spraying in the eyes. Directions for Use: Illustrated patient instructions for proper use accompany each package of azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution.

To use Dymista, which contains azelastine, follow these steps:

• Prime the delivery system with 4 sprays or until a fine mist appears before initial use.
• For seasonal allergic rhinitis, use 1-2 sprays per nostril twice daily for adults and children 12 years and older, and 1 spray per nostril twice daily for children 5-11 years old.
• For vasomotor rhinitis, use 2 sprays per nostril twice daily for adults and children 12 years and older.
• If the product has not been used for 3 or more days, re-prime the pump with 2 sprays or until a fine mist appears.
• Avoid spraying in the eyes.
• Refer to the illustrated patient instructions for proper use, which accompany each package of azelastine hydrochloride nasal solution 3.

From the Research

How to Use Dymista

To use Dymista, which is a combination of azelastine and fluticasone, follow these steps:

• Read the label carefully and follow the instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist 4.
• Use the spray in your nose, as directed by your doctor, usually twice a day 5, 6.
• The recommended dose is one or two sprays per nostril, twice daily 5, 6.
• You can use it on an as-needed basis without compromising clinical efficacy 6.

Administration Technique

• To minimize side effects, such as bitter taste, use the correct dosing technique 6.
• Prime the pump before using it for the first time, and shake the bottle well before each use.

Safety and Efficacy

• Azelastine nasal spray has an excellent safety profile and is well-tolerated in both adults and children with allergic rhinitis 5, 6.
• The combination of azelastine and fluticasone has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis, with comparable efficacy to fluticasone alone 7, 8.
• However, fluticasone may produce sustained relief of symptoms and a greater reduction in eosinophil count compared to azelastine alone 7.