Oct. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Omnaris (ciclesonide) nasal spray has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever.

The drug, approved for adults and children 12 years and older, is a corticosteroid that suppresses the body's immune response to the allergens that trigger hay fever.

Some 35 million Americans have hay fever, making it the most common allergic condition, the FDA said. Symptoms include runny and itchy nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion.

During clinical testing, people who took Omnaris had up to a 10 percent reduction in nasal symptoms, compared with those who took a non-medicinal placebo. The most common side effects reported were headache, nosebleed, and nasal inflammation.

Omnaris is manufactured by Altana Pharma U.S., Inc.