Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Decongestants

Decongestants are a class of medications used primarily to alleviate nasal congestion, a common symptom resulting from allergies, colds, sinusitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections. These drugs work by activating α-adrenergic receptors, constricting small blood vessels in the nasal membranes. This action results in the opening of clogged nasal passages, thereby facilitating sinus drainage and relieving congestion.
Most decongestants are readily available over-the-counter in various...

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Primary Optic Nerve Sheath Meningioma: A Systematic Review.

World neurosurgery·2026

Same author

Nasal septal perforation in pregnancy case report: A family medicine perspective.

Journal of family medicine and primary care·2025

Same author

The Efficacy and Safety of Probiotics in the Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Journal of clinical medicine·2025

Same author

Outcomes of Endoscopic Management of Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea: A Meta-Analysis.

The Laryngoscope·2025

Same author

Contemporary Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhoea: A Review of the Literature.

Journal of clinical medicine·2025

Same author

Comparison of intranasal medication delivery devices before and after functional endoscopic sinus surgery using Phacon sinus surgery models.

The Journal of laryngology and otology·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Published on: December 20, 2024

Oral steroids for nasal polyps.

Pablo Martinez-Devesa¹, Shalini Patiar

¹ENT Department, John Radcliffe Hospital - West Wing, Headley Way, Oxford, UK, OX3 9DU.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|July 8, 2011

Summary

Short courses of oral steroids offer short-term relief for nasal polyps, improving symptoms and quality of life. Further high-quality trials are needed to confirm these benefits for benign nasal polyps.

Area of Science:

Otolaryngology
Pharmacology

Background:

Benign nasal polyps cause nasal obstruction, reduced sense of smell, and taste alteration.
Treatment aims to alleviate symptoms, with options including medical (steroids) and surgical management.
The exact cause of nasal polyps remains uncertain, influencing treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of oral steroids in managing multiple nasal polyps.
To assess the impact of oral steroid treatment on nasal polyp symptoms and quality of life.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials.
Searched multiple databases including Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to October 2010.
Included trials compared oral steroids to placebo, no intervention, or different steroid regimens for nasal polyps.

More Related Videos

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Published on: April 6, 2017

Endoscopic Septoplasty with Limited Two-line Resection: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Septal Deviation

Endoscopic Septoplasty with Limited Two-line Resection: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Septal Deviation

Published on: June 20, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Acupoint Catgut Embedding Therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Managing Allergic Rhinitis

Published on: December 20, 2024

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Published on: April 6, 2017

Endoscopic Septoplasty with Limited Two-line Resection: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Septal Deviation

Endoscopic Septoplasty with Limited Two-line Resection: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Septal Deviation

Published on: June 20, 2018

Main Results:

Three trials involving 166 patients demonstrated short-term benefits from 2-4 week oral steroid courses.
Objective reduction in polyp size and subjective improvement in nasal symptoms and quality of life were observed.
No significant adverse effects were reported with short-term oral steroid use, though trial quality was moderate to low.

Conclusions:

Short-term oral steroid therapy shows potential for symptom relief in nasal polyps.
Current evidence is based on limited, moderate-to-poor quality trials.
Well-designed, prospective RCTs are necessary to definitively establish the benefits and optimal use of oral steroids for nasal polyps.