A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY OF FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE AQUEOUS NASAL SPRAY AND BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE IN PERENNIAL RHINITIS - EFFICACY IN ALLERGIC AND NONALLERGIC PERENNIAL RHINITIS

Background Fluticasone propionate is a new potent, topically active co rticosteroid with negligable oral bioavailability. Data on its compara tive efficacy in perennial allergic and non-allergic rhinitis are limi ted. Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of fluticasone propi onate aqueous nasal spray (FPANS) 200 mu g once or twice daily with be clomethasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray (BDP) 200 mu g twice dai ly and placebo in patients with allergic and nonallergic perennial rhi nitis. Methods The 12-week study had a multicentre, double-blind, rand omized, parallel group design. Efficacy was assessed from symptom scor es recorded on daily diary cards. Results FPANS 200 mu g once or twice daily was significantly better than placebo but not better than BDP i n relieving the nasal symptoms of rhinitis. FPANS at either dose was e qually effective in the treatment of allergic and non-allergic perenni al rhinitis. There were few adverse events and no treatment-related ab normalities in laboratory measurements in either FPANS-treated group. Comparisons between treatment groups indicated that FPANS was as well tolerated as placebo and BDP at the doses studied. Conclusions In the majority of patients FPANS 200 mu g once daily is as effective as BDP 200 mu g twice daily in the relief of perennial allergic rhinitis.