My experience with Astepro

Posted by covidstinks2023 @covidstinks2023, Feb 20 3:43pm

Precious Folks, I have used Flonase & Azelastine prescription spray during each new allergy season of the year with no issues for a while. I know that some people cannot use Flonase because it can cause nose bleeds. That has never been a problem for me.

I ran out of Azelastine spray and bought the large Astepro (this is supposedly the over the counter brand of Azelastine) spray. I did not read to see if they were identical in ingredients as I thought they were.

I came down with a bloody mucusy sinus infection, sneezing a lot, headaches, fatigue, sneezing, nasal congestion and extreme dry mouth. I thought it was due to colder weather and running the heat more. But, there was something different about this sinus infection and I've had my share of them. I was running a cool mist humidifer to put moisture in the air. I didn't make the connection until today. It's the Astepro.

I started back on the Flonase/Astepro yesterday and the bloody mucus, fatigue, headache, extreme dry mouth and sneezing started back up today. I did my research and these are listed as side effects of Astepro.

The ingredients do not line up exactly with Azelastine Spray as Astepro is stronger. I hope this helps someone that is ultra sensitive to meds like me.

Blessings & Prayers...

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pht1123 | @pht1123 | Feb 21 6:11am

I hope you feel better soon. It is sometimes hard to figure out if a new medication - even one that is generic - can be causing signs/symptoms. You are not alone. I was prescribed a name brand medication. When it came out in generic form, which the insurance company would cover. They would no longer cover the name brand as it was a few hundred dollars per month. I had developed neurological symptoms - and did a full neuro check, MRI, etc. It took 3 weeks to realize it was from the generic medication. Once put back on the original name brand medication, the symptoms went away. Generics are NOT always the same - even if it states the same ingredients. Preservatives which are in generics can cause symptoms - though most generics are fine and can be used without problems. Everyone is different. Good luck and feel better.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 19 8:47am

@covidstinks2023 - wondering what you are doing for nose spray these days?

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jun 19 3:11pm

In reply to @lisalucier "@covidstinks2023 - wondering what you are doing for nose spray these days?" + (show)

@lisalucier Presently, I am doing NasalCrom & Azestaline Spray (Prescription) due to rough
allergies. The NasalCrom works a little differently and I can tell a difference. It is not a steroid spray, but is a mast cell stabilizer.

My longstanding ENT who passed away several years ago and the one who did sinus surgery on me, suggested trying a different nasal spray after you had been on the same one for a long time.
I have been on Flonase for a few years.

I hope you are doing well Lisa! Blessings & Prayers....

mth13 | @mth13 | Jun 21 7:45am

I find the connection with Astepro very interesting. This winter I came down with a sinus infection which exhibited as heavy thick mucus constantly filling my sinuses with pinkish color in the right side. It was a companied by some thick, clear globs of mucus I would have to cough up from my lungs. Urgent care put me on prednisone since I had no fever. This helped a little and I also ceased using Astepro and Allegra while on the taper. At the end of this I had lost my voice and had to go on Nystatin oral suspension 4 times a day for thrush on my vocal chords . By the end of that treatment, my sinuses were fine, my sense of smell restored, my Eustachian tubes behaving, and I am staying off all sinus meds even though our pollen season is still active. I am concluding that Astepro was the culprit! I was originally prescribed Aselastine as you were. I will discuss this with my ENT and thank you for bringing this to our attention for those of us with frequent sinus problems. Mine stem from EGPA ( Churgg Strauss disease) and I had thought Astepro was a good product — until it wasn’t!!
I will still need to figure out what to use when I need to fly in a plane so as not to be deaf for a week!
Always something, but very grateful for sharing of helpful information from this wonderful site!!
Thank you for your post!
MYH13

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jun 21 10:08am

In reply to @mth13 "I find the connection with Astepro very interesting. This winter I came down with a sinus..." + (show)

@mth13 Bless you! I am currently using NasalCrom which works differently than the Flonase and finding it is helping.

My ENT of 10 years passed away, but, he recommended switching nasal sprays after you have been on one for a while. I use Azestaline SP? (Prescription) for drainage and the NasalCrom which is not a steroid. NasalCrom has been around for a while.

I am learning the newer drugs (Astepro) have more side affects for me. NasalCrom stabilizes mast cells in preventing them from releasing histamines. It's a little pricier than the other OTC nasal sprays, but, I feel it's worth it.

I am sorry you have Churgg Strauss Disease. I looked it up and it looks so uncomfortable.
Praying for you.

Blessings & Prayers...

mth13 | @mth13 | Jun 21 10:53am

To covidstinks2023

Thank you for your help in recognizing what was making me worse! EGPA ( Churgg Strauss) has responded well to the biologic NUCALA, leaving only the sinus issues to deal with. I was using the old standby Nasal chrome this spring and felt it helped a lot. When I added Astepro and Allegra the dreadful thick sinus discharge caught hold. I think it may dry out your sinuses Too much? I am feeling very well right now and have learned to enjoy”the Now” with this disease. So many others on this site suffering far worse and I wish they could find a simple thing like this to feel better also.
Thank you for your help with this 80 year old who is still enjoying life!
MTH13

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jun 21 12:43pm

In reply to @mth13 "To covidstinks2023 Thank you for your help in recognizing what was making me worse! EGPA (..." + (show)

@mth13 You go girl! You sound so young from your posts. Blessings & Prayers...

mth13 | @mth13 | Jun 21 6:40pm

🤣Never underestimate an old lady! We are still in the game but at a lower speed! And with a nap here and there!! Thank you for your comment!🤗MTH13

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