Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis with budesonide and disodium cromoglycate. A double-blind clinical comparison between budesonide and disodium cromoglycate.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of budesonide and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) in seasonal allergic rhinitis. In a double-blind, double-dummy comparative study, 43 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were either treated with budesonide (200 micrograms b.d.) or DSCG (5.2 mg 5 times daily). After a 1 week run-in period treatment was given for 3 weeks. The patient scorings for nasal secretion, nasal itching, sneezing bouts and total nasal symptoms were significantly different between the treatment groups during the whole treatment period. The scorings for nasal blockage were significantly different during the last 2 weeks of treatment. All differences were in favour of budesonide treatment. The patients' assessment of the treatment favoured budesonide (P less than 0.02). Side effects were few and mild, but one patient from the budesonide group stopped treatment because of headache.