Steroid Nasal Spray found effective to treat Hay Fever
by admin ~ June 23rd, 2009.
Researchers from the University of Chicago have remarked that fluticasone propionate (Flonase), a corticosteroid nasal spray, is better and more effective than a combination of common anti-allergy drugs loratidine (Claritin) and montelukast (Singulair) for controlling seasonal allergies. These findings were laid down in the 58th annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
It was noted that the inflammation measures were relatively better for Hay Fever Patients being administered with fluticasone propionate, as per Robert Naclerio, M.D., professor of surgery at the University of Chicago and director of the study.
From News.Bio-Medicine.Org:
“Because of the effect on inflammation, we prefer fluticasone,” he added, “but for patients, the choice may come down to cost and whether they would prefer a pill or a spray.”
Since one out of five people in the United States suffers from seasonal allergies, such preferences have financial implications. Antihistamines are prescribed three times as often, even though intranasal corticosteroids are less expensive than the non-sedating antihistamines. Combining loratidine with montelukast increases the cost difference.
A daily dose of Claritin, the leading antihistamine, costs $2.92 at the University of Chicago Hospitals pharmacy. Singulair, which works by blocking leukotrienes — substances that trigger inflammation — costs $4 per day. Flonase, the leading prescription nasal spray, costs $2.21 per day.
As per the study, the usage of nasal sprays results in fewer eosinophils in nasal passages of patients. It was told that usage of steroid nasal sprays tends to display minimal side-effects and lower levels of eosinophil cationic protein, an inflammation sign.
Naclerio also remarked that fluticasone seems to be the better and the first choice for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis because of its unmatched benefits and low cost.
Category: Anabolic Steroids | Tags: claritin, corticosteroid nasal spray, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophils, flonase, fluticasone propionate, hay fever, loratidine, montelukast, seasonal allergies, singulair