Two medicines, side by side
Azelastine vs ipratropium
Azelastine and ipratropium are both labeled for allergies. Drugs@FDA records approvals of azelastine since 1996 and of ipratropium since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.273 per mL (Azelastine 0.1% (137 mcg) spry) and $0.111 per mL (Ipratropium br 0.02% solution) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, azelastine is a histamine-1 receptor antagonist and ipratropium an anticholinergic.
Check it at the source: the azelastine FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 4, 2025); the ipratropium FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 8, 2026).
Highlights of the azelastine record
Azelastine (Astepro) · label of December 4, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsUses temporarily relieves these symptoms due to hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies: nasal congestion runny nose sneezing itchy nose
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 1, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.273 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the ipratropium record
Ipratropium (Atrovent) · label of January 8, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsIpratropium bromide nasal solution, 0.03% is indicated for the symptomatic relief of rhinorrhea associated with allergic and nonallergic perennial rhinitis in adults and children age 6 years and older. Ipratropium bromide 0.03% does not relieve nasal congestion, sneezing, or postnasal drip associated with allergic or nonallergic perennial rhinitis.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.111 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Azelastine label of December 4, 2025, Ipratropium label of January 8, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do azelastine and ipratropium differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, azelastine is a histamine-1 receptor antagonist and ipratropium an anticholinergic.
Generics: azelastine since 2009; ipratropium since 1997 (Drugs@FDA).
| Azelastine | Ipratropium | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Allergies | COPD, Allergies, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist | Anticholinergic |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Elimination After intravenous administration of 2 mg ipratropium bromide to 10 healthy volunteers, the terminal half-life of ipratropium was approximately 1.6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 1, 1996 | December 29, 1986 |
| First generic approved | April 30, 2009 | January 10, 1997 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 22 labelers | 23 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.273 per mL (Azelastine 0.1% (137 mcg) spry) | $0.111 per mL (Ipratropium br 0.02% solution) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | +11% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 18,108 | 35,481 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to azelastine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions