European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY AND SAFETY BETWEEN FLUTICASONE FUROATE AND AZELASTINE NASAL SPRAY IN ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Dr. Shirsendu Mondal, Dr. Manasi Banerjee*, Dr. Soumik Das and Dr. Mayukh Mukherjee

ABSTRACT

Aims of the study: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common inflammatory disease condition of upper respiratory tract. Currently, most commonly used drugs for treatment of AR are: anti-histaminics, corticosteroids etc. Fluticasone Furoate nasal spray has been studied extensively in allergic disease. Azelastine has also shown efficacy in controlling AR. This pilot study compares the efficacy and safety of Fluticasone Furoateversus Azelastine nasal spray in treatment of AR. Materials and methods: 26 patients with AR are randomly assigned into 2 parallel groups in this prospective open label study. Group A containing 13 patients are treated with Azelastine nasal spray 140 microgram twice daily administered as one spray in each nostril. Group B containing 13 patients are treated with Fluticasone Furoate nasal spray 110 microgram once daily administered as 2 sprays in each nostril. Follow up visits done at 7 days and 14 days. The efficacy was assessed by the change in nasal and ocular symptom scores as their subtotals (Total Nasal Symptom Score and Total Ocular Symptom Score) and grand total (Total Symptom Score). Results: 10 patients in azelastine group and 12 patients in fluticasone group have completed the study. Baseline parameters were comparable. Both azelastine and fluticasone furoate decrease the TSS, TNSS and TOSS significantly from baseline in 7 days and 14 days (p <0.001). But when compared between azelastine and fluticasone furoate, no significant difference found at any point of time. Conclusions: Azelastine and fluticasone furoate are equally effective in treatment of AR. Both aresafely tolerated in AR patients.

Keywords: Azelastine, Fluticasone Furoate, Allergic Rhinitis.