LONG-TERM TREATMENT OF PERENNIAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS WITH IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE NASAL SPRAY 0.06-PERCENT

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of ipr atropium bromide nasal spray 0.06 % (aqueous solution), 84 mu g per no stril three times a day, in reducing nasal hypersecretion in the long- term treatment of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). Thi s was an open-label I-year trial. In the first 6 months all patients w ere treated with two puffs ipratropium bromide nasal spray 0.06 %, 84 mu g per nostril three times per day, unless they were unable to toler ate the dose. lit the last 6 months the dose could be reduced to the l owest amount required to control rhinorrhea. Ninety-sir patients enter ed the trial, and 47 completed it. Sixty-three patients completed more than 6 months of treatment. Patient and physician global evaluation s uggested that ipratropium bromide nasal spray 0.06 % is effective in c ontrolling rhinorrhea associated with PAR and can contribute to contro l of congestion, postnasal drip, and sneezing. There was also a trend toward reduction of mucosal edema and improvement in quality of life. The most common drug-related adverse events were nasal dryness, epista xis/nose bleed, and increased rhinitis. Most adverse events were mild and resulted in drug discontinuation in less than 10 % of patients. Ip ratropium bromide nasal spray was well tolerated and not associated wi th serious drug-related adverse events or clinically significant antic holinergic side effects. Use of ipratropium bromide nasal spray alone or with other standard medications should be considered in treating pa tients with PAR.