A single blind clinical comparison between 2 preparations of budesonide in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

ABSTRACT

A comparative study was carried out in 118 patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis in order to evaluate possible differences between two different preparations of budesonide with regard to effect and adverse reactions. The glucocorticoid was supplied either as a freon propellant device (Rhinocort) or as a water solution in a mechanical pump spray. The freon aerosol was administered in a daily dosage of 400 micrograms. The water solution was administered in daily dosages of 400 micrograms or 200 micrograms. The patients scored their nasal and ocular symptoms daily for 1 month, and pollen counts were registered over the same period. The drugs employed in the study provided good control of the nasal symptoms. The daily dosage of 400 micrograms in both preparations proved more efficacious than the daily 200 micrograms dose in the nasal pump spray. No difference was found between the delivery systems when the same daily dosage was used. The number of adverse reactions was low and insignificant in all 3 treatment groups.