ONCE DAILY TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE NASAL SPRAY IS EFFECTIVE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PERENNIAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study was conducted in 11 centers to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a once-a-day regimen of 110-mu-g, 220-mu-g; and 440-mu-g of triamcinolone acetonide intranasal aerosol versus placebo in relieving the symptoms of rhinitis in 305 adult and older pediatric patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Nasal stuffiness, nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal itching and the nasal index (the sum of the mean scores of the first three symptoms) averaged over the first 6 weeks and second 6 weeks of the study were significantly reduced in patients who received the 220-mu-g/day and the 440-mu-g/day dosages. The 110-mu-g/day group had a reduction in these nasal symptoms, but only the sneezing and nasal index were significantly (P < .05) better than placebo. During the last 6 weeks of the study, patients were allowed to take oral back-up medication for their nasal symptoms; all three groups receiving triamcinolone nasal aerosol took less back-up medication than did the placebo group. There were no significant adverse effects or laboratory abnormalities noted during this study. Intranasal triamcinolone acetonide 220-mu-g and 440-mu-g, used once-a-day for 12 weeks is clinically and statistically superior to placebo for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.