2.1 Recommended Dosage for Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Children 6 to 11 years of age: Azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%, 1 spray per nostril twice daily.

Adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older: Azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%, 1 or 2 sprays per nostril twice daily. Azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% may also be administered as 2 sprays per nostril once daily.

2.2 Recommended Dosage for Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Children 6 to 11 years of age: Azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%, 1 spray per nostril twice daily.

Adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older: Azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%, 2 sprays per nostril twice daily.

2.3 Important Administration Instructions

• Administer azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% by the intranasal route only.
• Avoid spraying azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% into the eyes.

Priming or re-priming: Prime azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% before initial use by releasing 6 sprays or until a fine mist appears. When azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% has not been used for 3 or more days, re-prime with 2 sprays or until a fine mist appears.

5.1 Somnolence

In clinical trials, the occurrence of somnolence has been reported in some patients taking azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle after administration of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%. Concurrent use of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants should be avoided because additional reductions in alertness and additional impairment of central nervous system performance may occur [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in practice.

Children 6 to 11 Years of Age

In a 4-week clinical trial, 489 patients ages 6 to 11 years with perennial allergic rhinitis, with or without concomitant seasonal allergic rhinitis, were treated with either azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1%, azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% or placebo, one spray per nostril twice daily. Overall, adverse events were similar in the azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% group (24%), azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% group (26%) and the placebo group (24%). Overall, less than 1% of the combined azelastine HCl nasal spray groups discontinued due to adverse events.

Table 2 contains adverse reactions reported with frequencies greater than or equal to 2% and more frequently than placebo in children 6 to 11 years of age treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% or azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in the controlled trial described above.

Table 2. Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥2% Incidence in a Placebo-Controlled Trial of 4 Weeks’ Duration with Azelastine HCl Nasal Spray, 0.1% or Azelastine HCl Nasal Spray, 0.15% in Children 6 to 11 Years of Age with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Children 6 Months to 5 Years

In a 4-week clinical trial, 191 patients ages 6 months to 5 years with either seasonal and/or perennial allergic rhinitis were treated with either azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% or azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% one spray per nostril twice daily. The most frequently (≥2%) reported adverse reactions were pyrexia, cough, epistaxis, sneezing, dysgeusia, rhinalgia, upper respiratory infection, vomiting, otitis media, contact dermatitis, and oropharyngeal pain. Overall, adverse events were slightly higher in the azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% group (28%) compared to azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% group (21%). Focused nasal examinations were performed and showed no incidence of nasal mucosal ulceration at any time point during the study. No patients had reports of nasal septal perforation. Overall, less than 3% of the combined azelastine HCl nasal spray groups discontinued due to adverse events.

Azelastine HCl Nasal Spray, 0.15%

The safety data described below reflect exposure to azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in 2114 patients (6 months of age and older) with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis from 10 clinical trials of 2 weeks to 12 months duration. In 8 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of 2 to 4 weeks duration, 1703 patients (646 males and 1059 females) with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis were treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% one or two sprays per nostril once or twice daily. In the 12 month open-label, active-controlled clinical trial, 466 patients (156 males and 310 females) with perennial allergic rhinitis were treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% two sprays per nostril twice daily. Of these 466 patients, 152 had participated in the 4-week placebo-controlled perennial allergic rhinitis clinical trials. In a 4-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 161 patients (87 males and 74 females) ages 6 to 11 years of age with perennial allergic rhinitis, with or without concomitant seasonal allergic rhinitis, were treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% one spray per nostril twice daily. In a 4-week clinical trial, 95 patients (59 males and 36 females) ages 6 months to 5 years of age with seasonal and/or perennial allergic rhinitis were treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% one spray per nostril twice daily. The racial distribution for the 10 clinical trials was 79% white, 14% black, 2% Asian, and 5% other.

Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Older

In the 7 placebo controlled clinical trials of 2 to 4 week duration, 2343 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and 540 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were treated with two sprays per nostril of either azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% or placebo once or twice daily. Overall, adverse reactions were more common in the azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% treatment groups (16 to 31%) than in the placebo groups (11 to 24%). Overall, less than 2% of patients discontinued due to adverse reactions and withdrawal due to adverse reactions was similar among the treatment groups.

Table 3 contains adverse reactions reported with frequencies greater than or equal to 2% and more frequently than placebo in patients treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in the seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis controlled clinical trials.

Table 3. Adverse Reactions with ≥2% Incidence in Placebo-Controlled Trials of 2 to 4 Weeks’ Duration with Azelastine HCl Nasal Spray, 0.15% in Adult and Adolescent Patients with Seasonal or Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

In the above trials, somnolence was reported in <1% of patients treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% (11 of 1544) or vehicle placebo (1 of 1339).

Long-Term (12 Month) Safety Trial

In the 12 month, open-label, active-controlled, long-term safety trial, 466 patients (12 years of age and older) with perennial allergic rhinitis were treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% two sprays per nostril twice daily and 237 patients were treated with mometasone nasal spray two sprays per nostril once daily. The most frequently reported adverse reactions (>5%) with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% were bitter taste, headache, sinusitis, and epistaxis. Focused nasal examinations were performed and no nasal ulcerations or septal perforations were observed. In each treatment group, approximately 3% of patients had mild epistaxis. No patients had reports of severe epistaxis. Fifty-four patients (12%) treated with azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% and 17 patients (7%) treated with mometasone nasal spray discontinued from the trial due to adverse events.

6.2 Post-marketing Experience

During the post approval use of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%, the following adverse reactions have been identified. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Adverse reactions reported include: abdominal pain, atrial fibrillation, blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, disturbance or loss of sense of smell and/or taste, dizziness, dyspnea, facial swelling, hypertension, involuntary muscle contractions, nasal burning, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, paresthesia, parosmia, pruritus, rash, sneezing, insomnia, sweet taste, tachycardia, and throat irritation.

Additionally, the following adverse reactions have been identified during the post approval use of the Astelin brand of azelastine HCl 0.1% nasal spray (total daily dose 0.55 mg to 1.1 mg). Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Adverse reactions reported include the following: anaphylactoid reaction, application site irritation, facial edema, paroxysmal sneezing, tolerance, urinary retention, and xerophthalmia.

7.1 Central Nervous System Depressants

Concurrent use of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants should be avoided because reductions in alertness and impairment of central nervous system performance may occur [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

7.2 Erythromycin and Ketoconazole

Interaction studies investigating the cardiac effects, as measured by the corrected QT interval (QTc), of concomitantly administered oral azelastine HCl and erythromycin or ketoconazole were conducted. Oral erythromycin (500 mg three times daily for 7 days) had no effect on azelastine pharmacokinetics or QTc based on analyses of serial electrocardiograms. Ketoconazole (200 mg twice daily for 7 days) interfered with the measurement of azelastine plasma concentrations on the analytic HPLC; however, no effects on QTc were observed [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) and (12.3)].

7.3 Cimetidine

Cimetidine (400 mg twice daily) increased the mean Cmax and AUC of orally administered azelastine HCl (4 mg twice daily) by approximately 65% [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Limited data from post-marketing experience over decades of use with azelastine HCl in pregnant women have not identified any drug associated risks of miscarriage, birth defects, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, there was no evidence of fetal harm at oral doses approximately 4 times the clinical daily dose. Oral administration of azelastine HCl to pregnant mice, rats, and rabbits, during the period of organogenesis, produced developmental toxicity that included structural abnormalities, decreased embryo-fetal survival, and decreased fetal body weights at doses 180 times and higher than the maximum recommended human daily intranasal dose (MRHDID) of 1.644 mg. However, the relevance of these findings in animals to pregnant women was considered questionable based upon the high animal to human dose multiple.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

In an embryo-fetal development study in mice dosed during the period of organogenesis, azelastine HCl caused embryo-fetal death, structural abnormalities (cleft palate; short or absent tail; fused, absent or branched ribs), delayed ossification, and decreased fetal weight at approximately 200 times the maximum recommended human daily intranasal dose (MRHDID) in adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 68.6 mg/kg/day), which also caused maternal toxicity as evidenced by decreased maternal body weight. Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred in mice at approximately 9 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 3 mg/kg/day).

In an embryo-fetal development study in pregnant rats dosed during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 7 to 17, azelastine HCl caused structural abnormalities (oligo- and brachydactylia), delayed ossification and skeletal variations, in the absence of maternal toxicity, at approximately 180 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 30 mg/kg/day). Azelastine HCl caused embryo-fetal death and decreased fetal weight and severe maternal toxicity at approximately 410 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 68.6 mg/kg/day). Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred at approximately 10 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 2 mg/kg/day).

In an embryo-fetal development study in pregnant rabbits dosed during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 6 to 18, azelastine HCl caused abortion, delayed ossification and decreased fetal weight and severe maternal toxicity at approximately 360 times the MRHDID in adults (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 30 mg/kg/day). Neither fetal nor maternal effects occurred at approximately 4 times the MRHDID (on a mg/m2 basis at a maternal oral dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day).

In a prenatal and postnatal development study in pregnant rats dosed from late in the gestation period and through the lactation period from gestation day 17 through lactation day 21, azelastine HCl produced no adverse developmental effects on pups at maternal doses up to approximately 180 times the MRHDID (on mg/m2 basis at a maternal dose of 30 mg/kg/day).

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of azelastine HCl in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production following use of azelastine hydrochloride. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% is administered to a nursing woman.

The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for azelastine HCl and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from azelastine HCl or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% have been established for seasonal allergic rhinitis in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age and perennial allergic rhinitis in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age [see Clinical Studies (14)]. The safety and effectiveness of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in pediatric patients below 6 years of age have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical trials of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% did not include sufficient numbers of patients 65 years of age and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Azelastine HCl, a phthalazinone derivative, exhibits histamine H1-receptor antagonist activity in isolated tissues, animal models, and humans. Azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% is administered as a racemic mixture with no difference in pharmacologic activity noted between the enantiomers in in vitro studies. The major metabolite, desmethylazelastine, also possesses H1-receptor antagonist activity.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Cardiac Effects

In a placebo-controlled trial (95 patients with allergic rhinitis), there was no evidence of an effect of azelastine HCl nasal spray (2 sprays per nostril twice daily for 56 days) on cardiac repolarization as represented by the corrected QT interval (QTc) of the electrocardiogram. Following multiple dose oral administration of azelastine 4 mg or 8 mg twice daily, the mean change in QTc was 7.2 msec and 3.6 msec, respectively.

Interaction studies investigating the cardiac repolarization effects of concomitantly administered oral azelastine HCl and erythromycin or ketoconazole were conducted. Oral erythromycin had no effect on azelastine pharmacokinetics or QTc based on analysis of serial electrocardiograms. Ketoconazole interfered with the measurement of azelastine plasma levels; however, no effects on QTc were observed [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

After intranasal administration of 2 sprays per nostril (822 mcg total dose) of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%, the mean azelastine peak plasma concentration (Cmax) is 409 pg/mL, the mean extent of systemic exposure (AUC) is 9312 pg•hr/mL and the median time to reach Cmax (tmax) is 4 hours. The systemic bioavailability of azelastine HCl is approximately 40% after intranasal administration.

Distribution

Based on intravenous and oral administration, the steady-state volume of distribution of azelastine is 14.5 L/kg. In vitro studies with human plasma indicate that the plasma protein binding of azelastine and its metabolite, desmethylazelastine, are approximately 88% and 97%, respectively.

Elimination

Following intranasal administration of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%, the elimination half-life of azelastine is 25 hours while that of desmethylazelastine is 57 hours. Approximately 75% of an oral dose of radiolabeled azelastine HCl was excreted in the feces with less than 10% as unchanged azelastine.

Metabolism

Azelastine is oxidatively metabolized to the principal active metabolite, desmethylazelastine, by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. The specific P450 isoforms responsible for the biotransformation of azelastine have not been identified. After a single-dose, intranasal administration of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% (822 mcg total dose), the mean desmethylazelastine Cmax is 38 pg/mL, the AUC is 3824 pg•hr/mL and the median tmax is 24 hours. After intranasal dosing of azelastine to steady-state, plasma concentrations of desmethylazelastine range from 20 to 50% of azelastine concentrations.

Special Populations

Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Following oral administration, pharmacokinetic parameters were not influenced by hepatic impairment.

Patients with Renal Impairment: Based on oral, single-dose studies, renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance <50 mL/min) resulted in a 70 to 75% higher Cmax and AUC compared to healthy subjects. Time to maximum concentration was unchanged.

Age: Following oral administration, pharmacokinetic parameters were not influenced by age.

Male and Female Patients: Following oral administration, pharmacokinetic parameters were not influenced by gender.

Race: The effect of race has not been evaluated.

Drug Interaction Studies

Erythromycin: Co-administration of orally administered azelastine (4 mg twice daily) with erythromycin (500 mg three times daily for 7 days) resulted in Cmax of 5.36 ± 2.6 ng/mL and AUC of 49.7 ± 24 ng•h/mL for azelastine, whereas, administration of azelastine alone resulted in Cmax of 5.57 ± 2.7 ng/mL and AUC of 48.4 ± 24 ng•h/mL for azelastine [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

Cimetidine and Ranitidine: In a multiple-dose, steady-state drug interaction trial in healthy subjects, cimetidine (400 mg twice daily) increased orally administered mean azelastine (4 mg twice daily) concentrations by approximately 65%. Co-administration of orally administered azelastine (4 mg twice daily) with ranitidine HCl (150 mg twice daily) resulted in Cmax of 8.89 ± 3.28 ng/mL and AUC of 88.22 ± 40.43 ng•h/mL for azelastine, whereas, administration of azelastine alone resulted in Cmax of 7.83 ± 4.06 ng/mL and AUC of 80.09 ± 43.55 ng•h/mL for azelastine [see Drug Interactions (7.3)].

Theophylline: No significant pharmacokinetic interaction was observed with the co-administration of an oral 4 mg dose of azelastine HCl twice daily and theophylline 300 mg or 400 mg twice daily.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Two-year carcinogenicity studies in Crl:CD(SD)BR rats and NMRI mice,  were conducted to assess the carcinogenic potential of azelastine hydrochloride. No evidence of tumorigenicity was observed in rats at doses up to 30 mg/kg day (approximately 180 and 160 times the MRHDID for adults and children, respectively, on a mg/m2 basis). No evidence for tumorigenicity was observed in mice at doses up to 25 mg/kg, (approximately 75 and 65 times the MRHDID for adults and children, respectively, on a mg/m2 basis).

Azelastine HCl showed no genotoxic effects in the Ames test, DNA repair test, mouse lymphoma forward mutation assay, mouse micronucleus test, or chromosomal aberration test in rat bone marrow.

There were no effects on male or female fertility and reproductive performance in male and female  rats at oral doses up to 30 mg/kg (approximately 180 times the MRHDID in adults on a mg/m2 basis). At 68.6 mg/kg (approximately 410 times the MRHDID on a mg/m2 basis), the duration of estrous cycles was prolonged and copulatory activity and the number of pregnancies were decreased. The numbers of corpora lutea and implantations were decreased; however, pre-implantation loss was not increased.

14.1 Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Azelastine HCl Nasal Spray, 0.15%

The efficacy and safety of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in seasonal allergic rhinitis was evaluated in five randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in 2499 adult and adolescent patients 12 years and older with symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (Trials 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6). The population of the trials was 12 to 83 years of age (64% female, 36% male; 81% white, 12% black, <2% Asian, 5% other; 23% Hispanic, 77% non-Hispanic). Assessment of efficacy was based on the rTNSS, iTNSS as described above, and other supportive secondary efficacy variables. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline in rTNSS over 2 weeks.

Two 2-week seasonal allergic rhinitis trials evaluated the efficacy of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% dosed at 2 sprays twice daily. The first trial (Trial 2) compared the efficacy of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% and azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% to vehicle placebo. The other trial (Trial 3) compared the efficacy of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% and azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% to vehicle placebo. In these two trials, azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% demonstrated greater decreases in rTNSS than placebo and the differences were statistically significant (Table 4).

Three 2-week seasonal allergic rhinitis trials evaluated the efficacy of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% dosed at 2 sprays once daily compared to the vehicle placebo. Trial 4 demonstrated a greater decrease in rTNSS than placebo and the difference was statistically significant (Table 4). Trial 5 and Trial 6 were conducted in patients with Texas mountain cedar allergy. In Trial 5 and Trial 6, azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% demonstrated a greater decrease in rTNSS than placebo and the differences were statistically significant (Trials 5 and 6; Table 4). Instantaneous TNSS results for the once daily dosing regimen of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% are shown in Table 5. In Trials 5 and 6, azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% demonstrated a greater decrease in iTNSS than placebo and the differences were statistically significant.

Table 4. Mean Change from Baseline in Reflective TNSS over 2 Weeks* in Adults and Children ≥ 12 years with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Table 5. Mean Change from Baseline AM Instantaneous TNS over 2 Weeks* in Adults and Children ≥ 12 years with Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

Azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% at a dose of 1 spray twice daily was not studied. The azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% 1 spray twice daily dosing regimen is supported by previous findings of efficacy for azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% and a favorable comparison of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% to azelastine nasal spray 0.1% and azelastine HCl nasal spray 0.1% (Table 4).

The efficacy and safety of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in children 6 to 11 years of age with seasonal allergic rhinitis was evaluated in a clinical study that enrolled pediatric patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, with or without concomitant seasonal allergic rhinitis (described below in Section 14.2).

14.2 Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Azelastine HCl Nasal Spray, 0.15%

The efficacy and safety of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in pediatric patients 6 to 11 years of age with perennial allergic rhinitis, with or without concomitant seasonal allergic rhinitis, was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 486 patients. All patients received one spray per nostril twice daily. The study population 58% male and 42% females; 78% white, 13% black, 3% Asian and 6% other.

Assessment of efficacy was based on the 12-hour reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) assessed daily in the morning and evening, the instantaneous total nasal symptom score (iTNSS), and other supportive secondary efficacy variables. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline rTNSS over 4 weeks. The one 4-week perennial allergic rhinitis trial evaluated the efficacy of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15%, azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1%, and vehicle placebo dosed at 2 sprays per nostril twice daily. In this trial, azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% demonstrated a greater decrease in rTNSS than placebo and the difference was statistically significant (Table 6).

Table 6. Mean Change from Baseline in Reflective TNSS over 4 Weeks* in Adults and Children ≥12 years with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

The efficacy and safety of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% and azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in pediatric patients 6 to 11 years of age with perennial allergic rhinitis, with or without concomitant seasonal allergic rhinitis, was evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 486 patients. All patients received one spray per nostril twice daily. The study population was 58% males and 42% females; 78% white, 13% black, 3% Asian, and 6% other.

Assessment of efficacy was based on the 12-hour reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) assessed daily in the morning and evening. The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline rTNSS over 4 weeks (Table 7). Both active treatments demonstrated statistically significant decreases in rTNSS compared to placebo. There was no statistically significant difference between the two active-treatment groups. There was also no difference in treatment effect between patients with perennial allergic rhinitis only compared to those with perennial allergic rhinitis and concomitant seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Table 7. Mean Change from Baseline in Reflective TNSS over 4 Weeks* in Children 6 to 11 years with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

The efficacy of azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.1% and azelastine HCl nasal spray, 0.15% in children 6 months to 5 years of age with allergic rhinitis was explored in a clinical study (described above in Section 14.1).