ORAL METHYLPREDNISOLONE ACETATE (MEDROL TABLETS) FOR SEASONAL RHINITIS - EXAMINATION OF DOSE AND SYMPTOM RESPONSE

The authors compared the effect of several doses an oral corticosteroi d on symptom profile and severity in ragweed hay fever. Thirty-one pat ients were randomized to receive 0, 6, 12, or 24 mg methylprednisolone (Medrol Tablets [MP], Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI). A baseline week in whic h no treatment was given preceded the treatment comparison. At the end of this week, symptom diaries showed that most of the subjects were e xperiencing moderate or severe symptoms. The corticoid produced dose-r elated reduction in all symptoms. The difference between placebo and 2 4 mg MP was significant for all the symptoms monitored, except itching , which benefited marginally. With 6 mg MP, congestion, drainage, and eye symptoms showed significant drug-placebo differences but itching, running/blowing, and sneezing did not. Not all rhinitis symptoms respo nded equally to corticoid treatment. Those that responded least could reflect histamine effect, which was not effectively suppressed by low- dose, short-term corticoid treatment.