Astepro, the first OTC antihistamine nasal spray for allergies, gets FDA approval

The FDA has announced that most sufferers will no longer require a prescription for Bayer’s Astepro, but a prescription will still be required for children younger than six years old.

With that, the Bayer product become the first OTC antihistamine nasal spray for allergies in the U.S. The azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray is used once or twice a day, and offers sufferers around 24 hours relief of allergic symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion and a runny nose.

Bayer has made clear however that Asterpro will first be available at national retail locations in the first three months of 2022, so availability will not be instant.