Combination therapy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a common allergic condition. There are a variety of pharmacologic treatments, including antihistamines, oral decongestants, and intranasal corticosteroids. Leukotrienes cause significant nasal obstruction. Leukotriene receptor antagonists decrease symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Similar to antihistamines, antileukotrienes appear to be less efficacious than nasal corticosteroids. Combination therapy of histamine and leukotriene antagonists produces symptomatic improvement as well as improved quality of life. Areas of study for combination antimediator therapy include expanding the initial findings with regard to nasal steroids, investigation of patient preference and compliance, use in perennial allergic rhinitis, and treatment of "one airway," i.e., treatment of concurrent allergic rhinitis and asthma.