THE EFFECT OF SOME COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE ANTIHISTAMINE AND DECONGESTANT INTRANASAL FORMULATIONS ON CILIARY BEAT FREQUENCY

The effects of azelastine (0.1%) nasal spray (Rhinolast(R)) on ciliary beat frequency are investigated and compared with those of oxymetazol ine hydrochloride (Vicks Sinex(R)), xylometazoline (Otrivine(R)) and e phedrine hydrochloride (0.5%). It is shown that all four formulations exert a ciliotoxic effect. The antihistamine (azelastine) and the two long-acting alpha sympathomimetic decongestants (xylometazoline and ox ymetazoline) had comparable effects which were milder than those obser ved with ephedrine, the less specific alpha and beta sympathomimetic a gent. The results suggest that the intranasal application of all four products should be restricted to short-term therapy. Oral antihistamin e therapy and not topical therapy should still be the first-line thera py for antihistamine-responsive rhinitis until non-ciliotoxic formulat ions can be developed.