The choice of drugs for treatment of allergic rhinitis depends on the severity of symptoms and whether they are intermittent or persistent (see Table 1).

View the Comparison Table: Some Oral Drugs for Allergic Rhinitis

View the Comparison Table: Some Nasal Sprays for Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis can be classified as seasonal, perennial, or episodic. It is often associated with allergic conjunctivitis, rhinosinusitis, and asthma.

H₁-ANTIHISTAMINES — Oral – Oral second-generation H₁-antihistamines are the preferred first-line treatment for relief of the itching, sneezing, and rhinorrhea that characterize mild-to-moderate allergic rhinitis. They are less effective for nasal congestion.

View the Comparison Table: Some Nasal Sprays for Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis

The FDA has approved a nasal spray fixed-dose combination (Dymista – Meda) of the H₁-antihistamine azelastine (Astelin, Astepro, and generics) and the corticosteroid fluticasone propionate (Flonase, and generics) for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in patients ≥12 years old who need both medications for symptomatic relief. It is the first nasal spray to be approved in the US that contains both an H₁-antihistamine and a corticosteroid.

The FDA has approved 2 intranasal HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) aerosols of the corticosteroids beclomethasone dipropionate (Qnasl – Teva Respiratory) and ciclesonide (Zetonna – Sunovion) for once-daily treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. They are the first HFA nasal steroids to become available in the US (HFA propellants do not deplete the ozone layer). Both drugs are already available for these indications as aqueous nasal sprays. Aqueous ("wet") formulations can cause adverse effects such as postnasal drip, moist feeling in the nose, strong odor, and bitter aftertaste, which could reduce patient compliance and may lead to discontinuation of the medication; the new pressurized, odorless, non-aqueous ("dry") HFA formulations may be better tolerated.

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Allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, anaphylaxis and asthma (not included here; reviewed in Treatment Guidelines 2008; 6:83) are prevalent worldwide, especially in industrialized countries. Pharmacologic treatment of these disorders continues to improve in efficacy and safety. In addition to using drugs to prevent and control these allergic diseases, patients should be instructed to avoid, if possible, specific allergens and/or environmental conditions that trigger or worsen their symptoms. Allergen-specific immunotherapy may be useful for treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, and in preventing severe insect venom-triggered reactions.

Ciclesonide (Omnaris - Sepracor/Nycomed), a once daily corticosteroid nasal spray, is now available for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) in adults and children ≥6 years old and for perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in those ≥12 years old. An orally inhaled formulation of ciclesonide (Alvesco) was recently approved by the FDA for maintenance treatment of asthma, and will be reviewed in a future issue of The Medical Letter

Fluticasone furoate nasal spray (Veramyst - GSK) is now available for once-daily treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children ≥2 years old. It is similar to fluticasone propionate nasal spray (Flonase, and others), which is now available generically.

Allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, anaphylaxis and asthma (reviewed in Treatment Guidelines 2005; 3:33 and not included here), are prevalent worldwide, especially in industrialized countries. Pharmacologic treatment of these disorders continues to improve in efficacy and safety. In addition to using drugs to prevent and control the symptoms of their allergic diseases, patients should also be instructed to avoid, if possible, specific allergens and/or environmental conditions that trigger or worsen their symptoms.

Montelukast (Singulair - Merck) is an oral cysteinyl leukotriene D₄ receptor antagonist originally marketed for treatment of asthma. It was approved by the FDA in 2003 for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and recently for use in perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and children ≥ 6 months old. Intranasal corticosteroids have generally been considered the most effective drugs available for prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria and anaphylaxis, along with asthma (reviewed in Treatment Guidelines 2002; 1:7 and not included here), have increased in prevalence during the past 30 years and are now epidemic worldwide, especially in industrialized countries. Many safe and effective drugs are currently available for prevention and relief of symptoms in these disorders, but pharmacological treatment alone may not be sufficient. Patients should also be instructed to avoid specific allergens or environmental conditions that trigger their symptoms. Allergen-specific immunotherapy, parenteral administration of gradually increasing doses of the allergen ("allergy shots"), has been effective in allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and allergic asthma, and also in prevention of anaphylaxis triggered by stings from bees, yellow jackets, hornets and wasps. It has not been effective in food allergy, atopic dermatitis or urticaria.

Montelukast (Singulair - Merck), a leukotriene receptor antagonist already marketed for asthma (Treatment Guidelines from The Medical Letter 2002; 1:11), has been approved by the FDA for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children more than 2 years old.