The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising
azelastine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof
including azelastine hydrochloride, and optionally one or more additional
active agents. Preferred such compositions further comprise one or more
pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients that reduce the amount
of post-nasal drip, and/or that minimize or mask the unpleasant bitter
taste associated with post-nasal drip, of the compositions into the oral
cavity, upon intranasal or ocular administration of the compositions.
Especially effective excipients used in the compositions of the present
invention are hypromellose as a viscosity modifier and sucralose as a
taste-masking agent. The invention also provides methods of treating or
preventing certain disorders, or symptomatic relief therefrom, by
administering the compositions of the invention to a patient, e.g., for
the symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis, non-allergic vasomotor
rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, as well as other disorders. The
compositions and methods of the present invention provide significant
value in terms of patient acceptability, convenience, and compliance.