Review of azelastine nasal spray in the treatment of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis.

Azelastine is a potent H(1)-antihistamine, which is available as a topical nasal spray and indicated for both seasonal allergic and non-allergic vasomotor rhinitis. In addition to its antihistaminic effects, it has also been shown to have a number of other potentially important attributes, including effects on cytokines, adhesion molecules and inflammatory cells. Azelastine nasal spray has been shown to benefit patients who have not responded adequately to loratadine and fexofenadine, and is significantly more efficacious than cetirizine and levocabastine in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Given its unique pharmacologic properties and clinical profile, azelastine maintains an important role in the treatment of chronic rhinitis.