Treatment of acute rhinosinusitis with the preparation from Pelargonium sidoides EPs 7630: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the herbal drug preparation from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) compared to placebo.

DESIGN

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter trial with a group-sequential adaptive design.

SUBJECTS

Patients with sinonasal symptoms of at least 7 days duration, and radiographically and clinically confirmed acute rhinosinusitis of presumably bacterial origin with a Sinusitis Severity Score (SSS) of at least 12 out of 24 points at inclusion.

INTERVENTIONS

EPs 7630, a herbal drug preparation from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides (1: 8-10; extraction solvent: ethanol 11% (w/w)), or matching placebo at a dose of 60 drops three times daily for maximum 22 days.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change in the SSS after 7 days.

RESULTS

103 patients were recruited until the planned interim analysis. The mean decrease in the SSS was 5.5 points in the EPs 7630 group compared to 2.5 points in the placebo group, a difference of 3.0 points (95% confidence interval 2.0 to 3.9, p < 0.00001). This result was confirmed by all secondary parameters indicating a more favourable course of the disease and a faster recovery in the EPs 7630 group. According to the pre-specified decision rule, the study was stopped after obtaining proof of efficacy for EPs 7630.

CONCLUSIONS

EPs 7630 was well tolerated and superior in efficacy compared to placebo in the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis of presumably bacterial origin.