Overview:
This 2-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial assessed the efficacy of combining intranasal azelastine (antihistamine) with fluticasone propionate (corticosteroid) for patients with moderate to severe seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) during the Texas mountain cedar season. The goal was to determine if concurrent use of these agents produced greater symptom relief than either agent alone.
The Takeaways:
- All three active treatment groups (azelastine alone, fluticasone alone, and combination therapy) showed statistically significant (P < .001) improvements in Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) after 2 weeks.
- The combination therapy group had the greatest improvement in TNSS (37.9%), compared to fluticasone alone (27.1%) and azelastine alone (24.8%) (P < .05 vs either monotherapy).
- The TNSS included sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, and nasal congestion—reflecting broad symptom control.
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All treatments were well tolerated, with no serious safety concerns reported.
Why It Matters:
This study provides robust clinical evidence that combining an intranasal antihistamine and corticosteroid offers superior symptom relief compared to either treatment alone. It challenges previous beliefs based on oral antihistamine-corticosteroid combinations, which had not shown added benefit. The results support the synergy of topical combination therapy in managing the multifaceted symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
The Link to Allermi:
Allermi’s custom nasal spray approach leverages exactly this kind of combination therapy—merging antihistamines like azelastine with corticosteroid to target inflammation, histamine response, and congestion simultaneously. This study validates Allermi’s formulation strategy, reinforcing that dual-mechanism therapies can provide enhanced and faster relief for individuals struggling with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis.
For more details, refer to the full study: Combination therapy with azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray and fluticasone propionate nasal spray in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
