ALLERGIC RHINITIS - OPTIONS FOR PHARMACOTHERAPY AND IMMUNOTHERAPY

Pharmacotherapy or immunotherapy complements environmental control for allergic rhinitis patients who are sensitive to unavoidable or multip le allergens. For cost-effective management, treatment used should be targeted at symptoms, with attention to associated medical conditions or drug interactions. When symptoms occur often enough that continuous drug use is warranted, nasal steroid sprays should be considered firs t-line therapy. Immunotherapy is appropriate when symptoms are present for more than 6 months each year or when drug costs exceed those for allergy shots.