Comparison of flunisolide and beclomethasone dipropionate in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Sixty-nine patients were entered into a randomized, single-blind, parallel group study. Patients had a history of moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis and all patients commenced treatment before the start of the pollen season. Treatment was with either flunisolide or beclomethasone dipropionate, both being administered as 2 sprays to each nostril twice daily for 7 weeks. Assessments of signs and symptoms of hay fever were made at admission and after 3 and 7-weeks' treatment. Patients were asked to keep a daily record of the severity of their symptoms. The overall effect of treatment was evaluated by both the patient and physician. Side-effects were elicited by indirect questioning. Sixty patients completed the study. Four patients from the flunisolide group and 2 from the beclomethasone group were lost to follow-up. Two further patients withdrew from the flunisolide group and 1 from the beclomethasone group. Analysis of results did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the treatments. Minor side-effects were reported by 1 patient from each treatment group. Both treatments proved to be effective in the treatment of hay fever and were equally well tolerated.