Stada's Snup Allerg nasal spray launches November 1 for allergy relief

Stada will launch Snup Allerg, a non-prescription nasal spray for allergy sufferers, on November 1. The product combines azelastine and fluticasone, offering relief without a doctor’s prescription. This follows a long approval process for over-the-counter use. The fixed-dose spray delivers 137 µg of azelastine hydrochloride and 50 µg of fluticasone propionate per dose. Azelastine, a second-generation antihistamine, treats symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children over six. Fluticasone, a potent synthetic corticosteroid, reduces inflammation more effectively than dexamethasone.

Before each use, users must shake the bottle vigorously for five seconds and tilt it upward and downward. The recommended dose is one spray in each nostril, twice daily—morning and evening. The Expert Committee on Prescription Requirements (SAV) initially recommended changes to support an OTC switch. After three attempts, the combination was finally approved for non-prescription sale in February. However, the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) raised concerns about patients’ ability to self-diagnose severe allergic rhinitis accurately.

Snup Allerg will now be available directly to consumers, providing a new option for managing allergy symptoms. The spray’s dual-action formula targets both inflammation and histamine reactions. Approval came despite ongoing debates over patient self-assessment for severe cases.