TOPICAL ACTIVE H-1-ANTIHISTAMINES AND THEIR EFFECT ON NASAL AIRWAY-RESISTANCE

The introduction of a topically active H-1-antihistamine nasal spray A zelastine, has given an extra dimension in the management of allergic rhinitis. The drug acts rapidly and avoids the systemic adverse effect s of antihistimines. An objective prospective study was performed to d etect the effect of Azelastine nasal spray on nasal airway resistance. Twelve healthy adult volunteers with no rhinological problems were in cluded in the study. Nasal cavities were sprayed with 280 mu g (two pu ffs) of Azelastine nasal spray and the nasal airway resistance was mea sured with anterior rhinomanometry at intervals of 30 minutes for up t o two hours. Our study has shown a statistically significant increase in the total nasal airway resistance following the use of Azelastine n asal spray in the absence of a subjective change in nasal airway resis tance. There are substances when inhaled which can cause subjective im provement in nasal airway patency without changing the measured nasal airway resistance. However this medication gives no subjective change in nasal airway patency in spite of increasing nasal airway resistance .