Continued use may effect some symptom relief. When allergic disease is severe enough that the recommended dose is not sufficient, many physicians will prescribe double doses. While this increases the risk of steroid side effects, the potential is still less than a single daily 5 mg dose of oral prednisone. Azelastine nasal spray is the only antihistaminic nasal spray approved in the United States. Its effects last about 12 hrs.
Overuse can result in systemic absorption with the usual antihistamine side effects.
Cromolyn is mildly antiinflammatory but lasts only about four hours. Side effects are extremely rare. This table attempts to compare the costs of several frequently used drug treatments with the costs of immunotherapy materials. On a cost basis, when both antihistamines and nasal steroids are needed, immunotherapy becomes competitive. Consumers are cautioned that this site is not intended to provide medical advice about any specific medical condition they may have or treatment they may need and they are encouraged to call or see their physician or other health care provider promptly with any health related questions they may have.