Flunisolide nasal spray compared to beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of seasonal rhinitis.

Forty-seven informed out-patients with the diagnosis seasonal rhinitis of at least two years' duration took part in a controlled single blind, double observer, parallel four-center study for the purpose to compare efficacy and tolerance of two local corticosteroid nasal sprays: flunisolide 25 micrograms/dose and beclomethasone 50 micrograms/dose. The patients received for four weeks one of the two treatments; flunisolide 50 micrograms in each nostril twice daily or beclomethasone dipropionate 50 micrograms in each nostril four times daily. The study was conducted under the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients were assessed on admission and after two and four weeks. All patients completed the trial. The results showed that both drugs are highly effective in controlling nasal rhinitis symptoms, 21 out of 24 flunisolide treated patients and 21 out of 23 beclomethasone treated stated good to total control after four weeks' treatment during the pollen season. No statistical difference between the two could be discovered in any of the parameters measured. The only side effect recorded was mild transistory stinging in connection with application of the two different sprays. This occurred in a few patients in both groups. The results from the study indicate that the new corticosteroid flunisolide in a dose of 100 micrograms X 2 is comparable to beclomethasone dipropionate 100 micrograms X 4 concerning efficacy and tolerance in prophylactic treatment of seasonal rhinitis.