Sodium cromoglycate/chlorpheniramine and sodium cromoglycate nasal sprays in the treatment of seasonal rhinitis.

Fifty-one patients suffering from symptomatic seasonal rhinitis were studied in a double-blind comparative trial using nasal sprays containing 2% sodium cromoglycate (Rynacrom; Fisons) (group 1) or 2% sodium cromoglycate plus 0,2% chlorpheniramine (group 2). Dosage was two sprays into each nostril 4 times a day. There was a marked clinical improvement in both treatment groups although the differences between the two regimens were not significant. In group 2 80% of patients thought the treatment had been effective within 2 days and in group 1 58% of patients also experienced relief of symptoms within 2 days. At final assessment, full or reasonable control was achieved in 22 of 25 patients in group 2 and in 21 of 25 patients in group 1. These differences are not significant. Fourteen patients in group 2 and 6 patients in group 1 reported a burning sensation in the nose when the spray was administered, but this was usually mild and transient. No side-effects from the use of the intranasal antihistamine/sodium cromoglycate spray were recorded.