ONCE-DAILY FLUTICASONE PROPIONATE IS AS EFFECTIVE FOR PERENNIAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS AS TWICE-DAILY BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPRIONATE

Background: Fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray, a new potent c orticosteroid, is effective when given once or twice daily for seasona l allergic rhinitis. Methods: Fluticasone propionate was compared with beclomethasone dipropionate in a multicenter double-blind, randomized , placebo-controlled, parallel-group study in 466 patients with perenn ial allergic rhinitis. Adults and adolescents (aged 12 to 71 years) wi th moderate to severe symptoms, nasal eosinophilia, and a positive ski n test reaction (greater-than-or-equal-to 2+) to a perennial allergen received fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray 100 mug twice dail y or 200 mug Once daily, or beclomethasone dipropionate aqueous nasal spray 168 mug twice daily, Or Placebo for 6 months. Results: Clinician - and patient-rated scores for nasal obstruction (including obstructio n on awakening), rhinorrhea, sneezing, and nasal itching were reduced by the first visit at 7 days after initiation of active treatment and remained lower than those of patients receiving placebo throughout the 6-month treatment period. Nasal eosinophilia was reduced in significa ntly more patients receiving active treatment. The incidence of advers e events was similar in all four treatment groups except for blood in nasal mucus, which was reported by significantly more patients in the two twice-daily active treatment groups compared with the placebo grou p. There was no evidence of systemic effects of fluticasone propionate , There were no significant differences between fluticasone propionate given once or twice daily or beclomethasone dipropionate given twice daily for any efficacy or safety evaluation. Conclusions: Fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray given once daily in the morning is safe and effective therapy for perennial allergic rhinitis and is as effec tive as twice daily dosing with fluticasone propionate or beclomethaso ne dipropionate.