FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE GIVEN ONCE DAILY IS AS EFFECTIVE FOR SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS AS BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE GIVEN TWICE DAILY

Fluticasone propionate was compared with beclomethasone dipropionate for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study during the mountain cedar (Juniperus ashei) pollination season in central Texas. Adults (n = 313) with moderate to severe symptoms were treated with fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray 200 mug once a day or beclomethasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray 168 mug twice a day or placebo for 2 weeks. Fluticasone propionate administered once daily and beclomethasone dipropionate administered twice daily were equally effective as assessed by clinician- and patient-rated scores for nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal itching throughout the treatment and follow-up periods. Both regimens were more effective than placebo. Adverse events were related to topical administration and were similar in frequency and nature in all three treatment groups. Fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate displayed a similar safety profile that did not differ from placebo. We conclude that fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray administered as 200 mug once daily in the morning is as safe and effective as beclomethasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray administered as 168 mug twice daily for seasonal allergic rhinitis.