Intranasal betamethasone valerate in the treatment of seasonal rhinitis

Betamethasone valerate aerosol given in doses of 100 mug into each nostril twice daily was compared with a placebo in a double-blind, cross-over trial involving thirty patients with seasonal rhinitis. Patients recorded symptoms of eye irritation and watering, sneezing, rhinorrhoea, and nasal blockage, on a diary card. Analysis of the symptom scores showed that nasal symptoms were significantly better on betamethasone valerate than on placebo (P less than 0.01) and that nasal blockage in particular was improved (P less than 0.001). The patients' preference was significantly in favour of the active compound (p less than 0.02) and no side-effects were noted. It is concluded that betamethasone valerate offers a safe and effective form of treatment for seasonal rhinitis.