Note: This column originally ran with no Q&A. It’s been updated to include the text.
Q. Astepro has been a great help for my seasonal allergies. I’ll now use it as a preventative against flu or COVID-19. The downside for many people is the price and the taste.
Here’s a solution. Astepro comes in a better-tasting children’s version. It is the same strength, except it has an additive so that the taste is not objectionable. Even better, it doesn’t seem to move off the shelf as well, so I frequently find it discounted at drugstores. Whenever I find it marked down, I typically stock up for my whole family!
A. Thank you for the helpful tip. Both children’s and adult versions of Astepro contain 205.5 micrograms of azelastine per spray. We were excited to learn of a study showing that this over-the-counter antihistamine nasal spray can reduce the risk of coming down with COVID-19 (JAMA Internal Medicine, Sept. 2, 2025). The authors mention the possibility that it may also have broader antiviral activity.
We will need larger clinical trials to verify the effectiveness of azelastine against COVID-19, cold or flu viruses before we can recommend routine use of this nasal spray. On the other hand, it seems reasonably safe. It may work best when used before travel or large gatherings, especially if accompanied by wearing an N95 face mask.
* * *
In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.