Dymista (Azelastine Hydrochloride And Fluticasone Propionate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dymista Used For?
Dymista is a nasal spray that combines two medications to treat allergy symptoms affecting both your nose and eyes. It’s designed for people who need both an antihistamine and a steroid to manage their allergies effectively.
Primary Uses
Dymista treats allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and rhinoconjunctivitis in adults and children 6 years and older. It relieves nasal symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, itchy or blocked nose, and eye symptoms like itchy, watery, and red eyes. It works for both seasonal allergies (spring/summer pollen) and year-round allergies (dust mites, pets, molds).
How It Works
Dymista contains two active ingredients: azelastine hydrochloride (an antihistamine that blocks histamine to reduce allergic reactions) and fluticasone propionate (a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the nasal passages).
Good to know: Dymista is suitable for long-term use and can be used continuously as directed by your doctor.
How to Take Dymista
Dymista is a nasal spray that requires proper preparation and technique for best results. Always shake the bottle for 5 seconds before each use.
Dosage Instructions
Adults and children 6 years and older: One spray into each nostril in the morning and evening. Not recommended for children under 6 years. Before first use, prime the pump by squirting 6 times until a fine mist appears. Re-prime if not used for more than 7 days. When using: blow nose first, keep head tilted down (not back), insert spray tip into nostril, close other nostril, press down once while sniffing gently, then breathe out through mouth. Repeat for other nostril.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Continue with your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Always wipe the spray tip with a clean tissue after use and replace the cap.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nose irritation (mild stinging, itching, or sneezing)
- Bitter or unpleasant taste in mouth
- Unpleasant smell
- Cough, dry throat, or throat irritation
- Sore throat
- Nosebleeds
- Nausea
- Headache
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Feeling weary, exhausted, or weak
- Damage to nose skin and mucous membrane
- Blurred vision or increased eye pressure
- Sudden allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, face/lip/tongue swelling, breathing difficulties)
Important Warnings
Before using Dymista, make sure your doctor knows about all your medical conditions and medications to ensure it’s safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Dymista
Do not use if you’re allergic to azelastine hydrochloride, fluticasone propionate, or any other ingredients in the spray. Do not use if the medicine has expired or the packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: recent nose or mouth injury/surgery, nose or sinus infection, nose ulcers or open sores, active or inactive tuberculosis, severe liver disease, glaucoma (high eye pressure) or cataracts.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. It’s unknown if Dymista passes into breast milk, so discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.
Benzalkonium Chloride: Dymista contains benzalkonium chloride which may cause nose irritation or swelling, especially with long-term use.
Drug Interactions
Some medications can interact with Dymista and change how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Central nervous system depressants (may increase drowsiness)
- Ritonavir (antiviral medicine)
- Ketoconazole (antifungal medicine)
- Cimetidine (stomach acid reducer)
Alcohol & Driving
Dymista is unlikely to make you drowsy, but you should be aware of how it affects you before driving or operating machinery.
Alcohol
The source does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with Dymista.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Dymista is unlikely to cause drowsiness, but if you feel tired, drowsy, dizzy, or light-headed, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
Storage
Store Dymista in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on windowsills. Keep out of reach of children. Discard the bottle 6 months after first opening, even if medicine remains.
Overdose Information
If you use too much Dymista on one occasion, there’s usually nothing to worry about. However, using too much over a long period (months or years) may cause unwanted side effects. If you’re concerned about overdose, immediately contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Dymista is designed for regular daily use to manage allergy symptoms. Continue using as directed by your doctor for best results.
Yes, Dymista is suitable for long-term use in adults and adolescents 12 years and older. For children 6-11 years, safety hasn’t been studied beyond 3 months of use.
If the plastic spray tip gets blocked, don’t try to unblock it with sharp objects as this can damage the spray. Instead, remove the spray tip, wash it in warm tap water, let it dry completely, then reattach and re-prime the pump.
Dymista can be used by children 6 years and older with the same dosage as adults (one spray per nostril, morning and evening). It’s not recommended for children under 6 years.
A bitter or unpleasant taste is a common side effect. To minimize this, don’t tilt your head back after using the spray and breathe out through your mouth after application.
Shake the bottle for 5 seconds, remove the cap, then prime the pump by pressing down and releasing 6 times until a fine mist appears. If you haven’t used it for more than 7 days, you’ll need to prime it again.
Discard your Dymista bottle 6 months after first opening it, even if there’s medicine left. Don’t use it past the expiry date printed on the package.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.