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 generally relates to
pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more active pharmaceutical
ingredients, such as azelastine or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or
esters thereof including azelastine hydrochloride, particularly wherein
the compositions are provided in unit dosage form. In certain
embodiments, the invention provides such unit dosage pharmaceutical
compositions comprising azelastine hydrochloride formulated for use as
nasal sprays and/or ocular solutions or drops. 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 a variety of
allergic and non-allergic conditions, particularly conjunctivitis,
sinusitis, rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. The compositions and methods of
the present invention provide significant value in terms of patient
acceptability, convenience, and compliance.